Lannan Foundation

Kwame Dawes is a writer of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and plays. Born in Ghana in 1962, Dawes spent most of his childhood and early adult life in Jamaica. As a poet, he is profoundly influenced by the rhythms and textures of that lush place, citing in a recent interview his "spiritual, intellectual, and emotional engagement with reggae music." His book Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius remains the most authoritative study of the lyrics of Bob Marley. Dawes has also published 15 collections of poetry. His most recent titles include Back of Mount Peace and Hope's Hospice. His book, Requiem is a suite of poems inspired by the illustrations of African American artist Tom Feelings in his landmark book The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo. He has also published two novels: Bivouac and She's Gone, winner of the 2008 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction. In 2007 he released a memoir, A Far Cry From Plymouth Rock: A Personal Narrative, called "a poet's eloquent meditation on the complexities of history, race and the oft-broken promise of America," by Geoff Dyer.

Kwame Dawes Bio and Cross Links

Chris Abani was imprisoned by the Nigerian regime for his writings when he was a teenager. Over two decades later, he has transcended his adversity with creativity—by finding redemption and purpose in his art. His novel Graceland, winner of the 2005 PEN/Hemingway Award, is a moving portrait of a teenage Elvis impersonator, set against the colorful, postcolonial backdrop of one of the world's largest cities, Lagos. Becoming Abigail, his poetic novella about a fiercely independent Nigerian girl forced into prostitution by her family, was chosen as a New York Times Editor's Pick for 2006. His latest novel, The Virgin of Flames, is set in a seedy area of Los Angeles and follows a haunted artist searching for his identity. Abani currently lives in California and teaches creative writing at the University of California, Riverside. He is the recipient of the 2001 PEN USA Freedom-to-Write Award, the 2001 Prince Claus Award and a 2003 Lannan Literary Fellowship.

Chris Abani Bio and Cross Links