Venita Blackburn

Blackburn interrogates the intricacies of human experience, often focusing on themes of grief, abandonment, and queer desire. Her work, characterized by piercing brevity and razor-sharp sentences, reflects a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of girlhood and the impact of authority figures. This approach is evident in her books such as "How to Wrestle a Girl", which has been a New York Times Editor's Choice and an Amazon Editors’ Pick. By employing experimental formats, like stories structured as crossword puzzles or multiple-choice quizzes, she pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling, inviting readers to engage with her narratives in novel ways.\n\nFor Blackburn, writing serves as a tool for personal understanding and entertainment, prioritizing her own insight before audience consideration. This self-focused method resonates strongly in communities that value authenticity and diverse voices. As the founder and president of Live, Write, she has extended this philosophy beyond her writing, dedicating herself to providing creative writing workshops to communities with limited access to professional instruction, particularly those of color. Her dual role as a writer and educator allows her to influence not only her readers but also the emerging voices in literature.\n\nIn recognition of her contributions, Blackburn has received numerous accolades, including the Prairie Schooner Book Prize for Fiction for her debut short story collection "Black Jesus and Other Superheroes". Her unique style and thematic depth have earned her several nominations, such as the Lambda Literary Prize and the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. As her bio demonstrates, Blackburn’s work is widely recognized, with stories published in prestigious outlets like The New Yorker and The Paris Review. Her writing not only challenges conventional narrative forms but also enriches the literary landscape with its profound exploration of often overlooked themes.