Contributor Spotlight: Lori L. Tharps

"Having my work appear in Callaloo means a lot to me a Black American writer. It feels like gaining entry into 'the' club of Black America's greatest writers. "

Tharps's book review, "The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir by Martha S. Jones" appears in Issue 43.2.

When I moved to Spain to launch my creative writing career, I realized I still wanted to teach and motivate Black and other POC women writers after nearly 15 years teaching in academia. So, I created The Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary, a membership community for BIPoC women writers who take their writing seriously. After being a writer and author for over 20 years, and given the current political climate, I know women writers of the global majority are the ones who need the most protection and support. The ones who need community now more than ever. Creating The Sanctuary was done as an act of service, but it has been such a gift to me personally and as a writer. Never have I been more convinced that writers need community, not only to survive, but to thrive and persevere long-term.

What does being a part of Callaloo mean to you as a writer?

Having my work appear in Callaloo means a lot to me a Black American writer. It feels like gaining entry into "the" club of Black America's greatest writers. And it also feels like being a part of Black literary history. It is truly an honor.

What inspired you to start writing in the first place?

I started writing when I was eight years old because my mother bought me an antique Remington Typewriter. I immediately fell in love with the idea of getting the stories in my head onto a blank page, and then sharing the stories with my family members. It was such a joy for me and I got a lot of positive feedback from my aunties, so I kept going. I can admit that I am a writer who loves writing, but I also love being read.

Is there anything else you would like readers to know about your work or about you?

My goal as a writer is to center the lives of African American people, whether it is in fiction or nonfiction. I am particularly interested in sharing stories that disrupt the false narratives and limited versions of Black authenticity. My career has mainly been built on writing nonfiction, but now I'm transitioning into fiction, but my objectives as a storyteller remain the same.

Is there a quote that has guided you on your writing journey?

LORI L. THARPS is an award-winning author, journalist, educator, and speaker. A recognized voice in the areas of race, identity politics, and African-American culture, Lori has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Glamour, and Essence. She is the author of the memoir Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love, & Spain and Same Family, Different Colors: Confronting Colorism in America's Diverse Families. Social Media: @LoriLTharps / Website: ReedWriteandCreate.com