Discovering new writers

SHORTLY AFTER KALISHA BUCKHANON found out that her story Upstate (St. Martin's Press, January 2005) was going to be published, her initial response was a resounding "Oh my goodness!" Her elation quickly cooled some. The tragic story of two young lovers she had written as a thesis project while attending The New School was not the piece of writing she thought would be recognized by a publisher. "This wasn't the first story I'd ever written; and it really wasn't the one I thought would be the first to get accepted and attract so much attention."

Buckhanon, however, was grateful for the chance to get her voice and her story out there to the reading public. [See BIBR, March-April 2005, THE WRITING LIFE, "And Now What?"] And readers have embraced Upstate like a breath of fresh air. She is just one of several first-time authors to be published in 2005. To whet the appetites of booklovers who look forward to reading something "fresh" during the summer--and in the early fall--the editors at Black Issues Book Review have pulled together a listing of first time authors and excerpts of their debut work. The books represent a mix of genres, indeed; so whether you enjoy literary fiction or inspiring nonfiction, here's a sample from a few up-and coming writers.