Award-winning journalist with over 12 years in the business as a news, features and editorial writer. Degrees from U of Michigan, Emory and Princeton with two first place awards for feature writing by Chicago Association of Black Journalist. Writing is my passion. Newest projects include J'Adore Magazine and National Black MBA Magazine. By Sr. Correspondent, D. Kevin McNeir
G. Winston James is a Jamaican-born poet, short fiction writer, essayist and editor whose work is well known, both among those within the LGBT and without. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY) and has shared his gift of poetry in numerous anthologies and publications. In addition, he has collaborated with a number of choreographers, sharing his work in public readings here in the United States and abroad.
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| This prolific writer first came to this writer's attention in two ways: with the publication of his first collection of poetry, The Damaged Good: Poems Around Love and through his affiliation with Fire & Ink: A Writers Festival for GLBT People of African Descent, which he co-founded along with Lisa C. Moore and launched in Chicago in 2002. Now with his latest work, Shaming the Devil (Top Pen Press, 2009), James is back with twelve gripping tales about fundamentally flawed human beings who grapple with "violence, oppression, negligence and their own courage to be who they are at whatever the cost." One reviewer and noted playwright, Stanley Bennett Clay, writes that James's book is "a collection of short stories that examine black, predominantly homoerotic experiences with beauty, passion and a boldness that renders it both transcendental and deeply personal." James, a clearly gifted writer and a startling handsome SGL brother, sat down with this writer and talked about his book, the black gay community, sex and the daily challenges that his fellow Jamaicans must face back home because of their sexual orientation. |
Please continue to Full Story and Interview
By Sr. Correspondent, D. Kevin McNeir
G. Winston James is a Jamaican-born poet, short fiction writer, essayist and editor whose work is well known, both among those within the LGBT and without. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY) and has shared his gift of poetry in numerous anthologies and publications. In addition, he has collaborated with a number of choreographers, sharing his work in public readings here in the United States and abroad.
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| This prolific writer first came to this writer's attention in two ways: with the publication of his first collection of poetry, The Damaged Good: Poems Around Love and through his affiliation with Fire & Ink: A Writers Festival for GLBT People of African Descent, which he co-founded along with Lisa C. Moore and launched in Chicago in 2002. Now with his latest work, Shaming the Devil (Top Pen Press, 2009), James is back with twelve gripping tales about fundamentally flawed human beings who grapple with "violence, oppression, negligence and their own courage to be who they are at whatever the cost." One reviewer and noted playwright, Stanley Bennett Clay, writes that James's book is "a collection of short stories that examine black, predominantly homoerotic experiences with beauty, passion and a boldness that renders it both transcendental and deeply personal." James, a clearly gifted writer and a startling handsome SGL brother, sat down with this writer and talked about his book, the black gay community, sex and the daily challenges that his fellow Jamaicans must face back home because of their sexual orientation. | ||
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INTERVIEW | ||
| GBMNews: The reviews of this book praise you saying that it is "shocking, stunning" and "the best new fiction I have read this year." What was your purpose in putting this collection of short stories together and from where did you get your ideas?
James: I write both my poetry and short fiction to get it out there. A lot of what I write about I have either lived or know others who have lived those kinds of experiences. There are often cases where I see things that others are not saying and many times I come with a unique spin - not necessarily a deeper interpretation just views that are unique to me. In other instances, I begin with something that is from my life and then fictionalize it - taking it to a further extent than what transpired in real life.
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| GBMNews: The stories in this collection seem to imply that there are hundreds of tales about black gay life that remain untold. Is that really your premise and why has silence remained so prevalent?
James: Another author, Trebor Healey, who shares his view of my work and which was printed on the back of my book, wrote, "[he] pulled out all the stops … examining with an unflinching moral vision issues not only of sexuality and gender but religion and community … intergenerational sex/eroticism … and the life and death struggle at the center of every human heart … These are stories that need to be heard and …are still being silenced, ignored or overlooked."
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| I try to pace my stories slowly enough so that people can picture the room, the people - everything that makes up the story. And I tend to focus on stories that only take up a few minutes of time. But those moments are full of passion and intensity. In terms of writers who have inspired, many assume Baldwin is at the top of my list, but he is not my greatest inspiration.
On the other hand when I first read Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God," I sat down and wrote my very first short story. Toni Morrison is another author and poet. I aspire to write as well as she does. Langston Hughes is my favorite poet and then Edwidge Danticat, a young man from Haiti, is publishing some wonderful poetic prose.
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| GBMNews: We have heard so much here in the United States about the extreme oppression of gays in your native Jamaica. What are your views on that? Does that violence keep you from returning home?
James: When this comes up I always have to make one clarification. When Americans talk about Jamaica they talk about it in a way that almost denies those things that still go on in America - that is homophobia-related violence and death. Jamaica has been painted with a bright red brush and that is not fair. Not all Jamaicans are homophobic and violent against gays. Great strides have been made there, but there is plenty more to do. Personally, it is troubling for me to even visit Jamaica because even though I was born and still have family there, I do not feel comfortable. I don't have a gay sign across my forehead but my energy is different. I don't want to have to change the way I walk or dress to feel safe. So I am discouraged from going home if my objective is to rest. I also find it challenging to determine what I can do to help the situation there from my American home. It's a complicated thing to agitate from the outside when you have the luxury of not needing to face the danger like some Jamaicans do on a daily basis.
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| GBMNews: What has been the response to your book?
James: Some say they have had a very visceral reaction to the book, even the first story that I thought was subtle, easy-going piece. I could not ask for anything more because I wanted to create discussion around the topics and that has been happening. Some of the responses I have received brought me close to tears. They were that affirming. Writing a book is like throwing a party and hoping people come. So, it's gratifying when people enjoy themselves. G. Winston James will be at Outwrite Bookstore (991 Piedmont Ave.) on Saturday, Sept. 5th at 4 p.m. as part of this year's Black Gay Pride Weekend. For further information go to www.outwritebooks.com
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