Ignore the Experts: You Can Write All the Things with Jabari Asim

Reed, Write, and Create

On episode 46 of the podcast, I’m replaying my inspiring, 2023 conversation with award-winning author, journalist, professor, and poet, Jabari Asim.

Jabari Asim is the Distinguished Professor of Multi-Disciplinary Letters at Emerson College. He is the author of 23 books, including Yonder, the essay collection We Can’t Breathe, and Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis. His awards include a Guggenheim fellowship and a Pushcart Prize.

His work has been included in Best American Essays and Best American Poetry. The former editor-in-chief of the NAACP’s Crisis magazine, he has published journalism in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The New Republic, American Prospect, Essence, and elsewhere. Forthcoming books include Wall of Respect, a picture book, and American Struggle: Essays on Race, Culture, and Imagination. Jabari lives in the Boston area and has 5 adult children.

On the show Jabari shares:

• How an encounter with the poet Gwendolyn Brooks inspired him to be a writer.
• The practical reasons why he is so prolific.
• Why it’s important for writers to write in multiple genres.
• The best education for aspiring and working writers. (Hint: It’s not an MFA)
• How to stay motivated in the face of rejection.
• The advice he has for BIPOC writers who want to be published by one of the big five publishers.

It’s an inspiring interview full of actionable advice, writing tips and a little-known fact about Langston Hughes! You don’t want to miss it. So press play.

To learn more about Jabari Asim, visit his website.

If you want more information, inspiration and resources for your literary life, visit the Reed, Write, and Create website.

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