The short version:
I’m a black feminist writer of poetry, plays, essays, novels, and stories for children. I was born and raised in Canada, but have lived in the US for 20 years. I currently live in my beloved Brooklyn. When I’m not writing, you might find me strolling through the botanic garden…
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The long version:
I earned my PhD in American Studies from NYU in 2003; I have taught at Ohio University, Louisiana State University, Mount Holyoke College, Hunter College, Bard High School Early College, and Borough of Manhattan Community College. My poetry has been published in the Cave Canem anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South, Check the Rhyme: an Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees, and Coloring Book: an Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by Multicultural Writers. My novella, Plastique, was excerpted in T Dot Griots: an Anthology of Toronto’s Black Storytellers, and my essays have appeared in School Library Journal, Horn Book Magazine, Hunger Mountain, and The Huffington Post. I won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest, and my picture book, Bird, was published in October 2008. My first play, Nothing but a Woman, was a finalist in the Chicago Dramatists’ Many Voices Project (2006). My fourth full-length play, Connor’s Boy, was staged in January 2008 as part of two new play festivals: in Cleveland, OH as part of Karamu House’s R. Joyce Whitley Festival of New Plays ARENAFEST, and in New York City as part of Maieutic Theatre Works’ Newborn Festival. My one-act play, girl/power, was staged as part of New Perspectives Theater’s NYC festival of women’s work, GIRLPOWER, in August 2008. My young adult novel, A Wish After Midnight, was published by AmazonEncore in February 2010; my second YA novel, Ship of Souls, was published in February 2012. My short story, “Sweet Sixteen,” was published in Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance in July 2012. My latest YA novel, The Deep, was published in November 2013 and I have published several books for younger readers through Rosetta Press. I currently live in Brooklyn…
Email me: info at zettaelliott dot com
Learn more at www.zettaelliott.com
INTERVIEWS:
“Reading, Writing, and The Deep”
“Writers of Colour in Conversation“ (Canadian Children’s Book News, Summer 2013)
Happy new year, Zetta! I’d like to be subscribed to your site 🙂
Christine
[…] month we celebrate women’s history, and my dearest wish for the occasion was to interview Zetta Elliot, award-winning author of the picture book BIRD. Zetta’s most recent book, A WISH AFTER […]
Since sending you an email I have read your bio and your list of accomplishments. George must be so proud of you the buttons are popping off his shirt. My Son and Daughter in law and their two kids live in NYC also, in Astoria. He is a writer also, plays, and she is a lawyer specializing in employee rights. And both good Democrats, ha ha. I am just so pleased to see George’s Daughter doing so well. The absolute best of luck to you in every thing you do.
Tom Greene
Thanks so much, Tom! You must be a proud papa, too!
Great interview re self publishing
Inspirational and empowering
I filled this out & it disappeared. I’m not sure if it successfully went through.
I enjoyed what you had to say on David Ushery’s show this morning. I look forward in receiving your blog info.
Thanks, Cecilia!