The Caribbean Writer invites the general public to a second book launch for its recently released Volume 28, on Sunday, Nov. 16. It will run from 1 to 4 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of UVI’s Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas Campus. A St. Croix launch was held on Oct. 15.
Volume 28 highlights time, place and memories. It features insightful and exciting poetry, short-stories, one act plays, personal essays and book reviews by established as well as emerging writers from the entire Caribbean region, as well as the Caribbean diaspora.
In addition, in recognition of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States, there are three portraits of Virgin Islanders who lived during that period: Cyril Francois of St. Thomas, Marie Helener Branch nee Philips of St. Croix and Marjorie Clendinen, a St. Thomian, with Crucian connections. Additionally, personal essays touch on experiences from the Bahamas, St. Kitts, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica and other locations. The volume also features interviews with two of the Caribbean’s most prestigious writers, Derek Walcott from St. Lucia, poet and playwright, who won the Nobel Prize in 1992, and Edwidge Danticat of Haiti.
This volume of The Caribbean Writer was edited by Alscess Lewis-Brown, a local author who is widely published. She has also served on the University’s adjunct faculty since 1990, teaching courses in writing, the humanities and literature.
The editorial board includes UVI faculty members David Gould, Dr. Vincent Cooper, Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre, and local poet and novelist Edgar O. Lake.
The cover "Boys at Play" was a painting by St Croix’s own, Marcia Jameson. The interior black-and-white photos were taken from the Library of Congress collection of photos taken in 1941 by Farm Service Agency (FSA) photographer Jack Delano. Other Caribbean photos dating back to the 1930s are from British archives. There will be paintings on display at the book launch from Mango Tango Art Gallery.
Contributors to this issue will be present. There will be short readings of selections from the volume, plus music and refreshments. Copies of Volume 28, an excellent Christmas present, will also be on sale for $25.
For more information, contact Rosetta Romain at (340) 692-4152 or send email to info@thecaribbeanwriter.org.