This photo of Nikky Finney, Pearl Cleage, and Ntozake Shange and me was taken at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta in 2003. I can’t believe that was almost ten years ago. My first novel, Leaving Atlanta, was just out in paperback. I was starting to feel like a “real” writer, but sharing the stage with these women had me shaking like a leaf. All three of them were lovely toward me, encouraging and kind. I was grateful then, and grateful I remain.
If everything happens for a reason, I wonder why I stumbled accross this photo today?
Nice !