An Editor Writes

This collection illuminates the creative breadth of Jessie Redmon Fausset, a driving force of the Harlem Renaissance who made her mark as an editor, literary critic, novelist, poet, and author of short fiction. Though best recognized as a novelist and pioneer in the world of publishing who amplified marginalized voices, Fausset was a gifted writer across multiple genres.

 

For the first time, An Editor Writes brings together all of Fausset's short fiction and poetry, from psychologically incisive character studies to vivid snapshots of African American life in the 1920s. Fausset explored provocative questions about race, identity, class, and gender that still resonate today, often portraying the struggle for equality and individuality facing black Americans.  Her poetry demonstrates her flair for stirring emotion through vivid imagery and concise lyrical expression. The anthology also includes her lively short stories and whimsical poems for children from the magazine she co-founded, The Brownies' Book, the first periodical for African American children, showcasing her warm spirit and commitment to inspiring young Black readers.

 

This volume encapsulates Fausset’s legacy as a creative force who shaped African American literature and culture while producing her own accomplished writing. An Editor Writes offers today's readers an opportunity to rediscover the many dimensions of this trailblazer who both enriched and helped define the Harlem Renaissance.