“The Caribbean Writer - Where the Caribbean Imagination embraces the World,” has launched Volume 29 of the University of the Virgin Islands’ international, refereed, literary journal with a Caribbean focus. The 2015 theme of the Caribbean Writer is “Ambiguities and Contradictions in the Caribbean Space.”
“We are pleased to continue in the tradition of excellence which both the University and The Caribbean Writer represent with this new volume of the journal,” said UVI President David Hall. “It is this spirit of excellence that has ensured the success and vitality of the journal for so many years.”
In Volume 29, the reader will experience the effects of migration; the contradictions in race, class, gender relations; the ambiguities in nationality constructs; the power of religion; the nature of spirituality and the grip of the supernatural; the many permutations of love and relationships; parenting amid the subtleties of childhood sensibilities – all set in the context of our diversity. New possibilities and new meanings about our similar and different hopes for the future rise out of the fellowship evident in these conversations.
To commemorate the launch of the newest volume, the community is invited to the film premiere of “Poetry is an Island,” on Friday, Sept. 18, at the Caribbean Museum Center (CMC) for the Arts on St. Croix. Directed by Ida Does, the film is about the life of Derek Walcott, Nobel laureate and member of The Caribbean Writer’s Advisory Editorial Board. Walcott, a celebrated author, is also a visual artist who was a playwright in residence at UVI during the early 1970's. Reception starts at 5 p.m., with screening starting at 7 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $20.00 for the general public and $10.00 for students with identification. For tickets or more information, please contact The Caribbean Writer’s office at (340) 692-4152 or info@thecaribbeanwriter.org. This film premiere, a special collaboration with CMC and Artvi Advocate, is a fundraiser for The Caribbean Writer’s 30th anniversary celebration next year. Contributors to Volume 29 will be present and there will be short readings of selections from the volume.
This volume features interviews with awarding-winning Virgin Islands author, Tiphanie Yanique, and internationally renowned writer, Jamaica Kincaid. It also offers a special tribute to three award winning influential Caribbean writers – Walcott, Edward Kamau Brathwaite and Earl Lovelace.
Volume 29 is edited by Alscess Lewis-Brown, the author of several books for young people including, “The Moko Jumbi Majorette Series,” “Efa and the Mosquito” and “Footsteps to the Sunrise.” She has served on the University’s adjunct faculty since 1990, teaching courses in writing and the humanities.
“I am honored and delighted to edit this volume,” Lewis-Brown said, reflecting on the approximately 500 submissions which were reviewed in order to select the pieces for final publication. She thanked the journal’s editorial board whose members participated actively in the paring down process and who contributed greatly to this keepsake publication. Editorial board members include UVI faculty members: Patricia Harkins-Pierre, Dr. Vincent Cooper, Edgar O. Lake, local poet and novelist and UVI Professor David Gould.
“We are pleased that this volume has drawn such an array of visual art and literature from across the Caribbean diaspora,” Brown said. “Works have been submitted from countries in South America on up the Caribbean archipelago to the Bahamas, across the United States and from as far away as Japan, Africa, Great Britain and Spain.”
The cover art of Volume 29, titled “Mysteries and Contradictions,” is the work of Antiguan artist, Edison Liburd.
Established writers include award winning poet Kamau Brathwaite, Joanne C. Hillhouse, Rafael Gamero, Camille Cortés López, Ernestia Fraser, Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming, Thomas Reiter and many others. Writing from St. Croix, are Bibi Donaie, Daisy Lafond, D’Yanirah Santiago, Lori Watts Hirons and others. Writing from St. Thomas are Susan Hunter, Ashley-Ruth Bernier and Tamika Gibson. Writing out of Tortola, awarding winning poet, Richard Georges. The journal also features book reviews by David Gould, Susan Wanlass, Gabrielle DiLorenzo, Linda Rodríguez Guglielmoni, Mary Jo Wilder, Cyril Dabydeen, Carrie Jo Coaplen, Elaine Savory, Valerie Knowles Combie, Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre, Dr. Vincent Cooper and others.
Copies are $20.00 and can be ordered by emailing abrown@live.uvi.edu or orders@thecaribbeanwriter.org. Orders can also be placed on the “Ordering Information” page at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org.