This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with National Book Award Finalist and Corretta Scott King Award Winner, Amber McBride, about her latest novel, Onyx and Beyond. The novel tells the story of 12-year-old Onyx who’s growing up in the DMV area in the tulmutuous times of the late 60s and early 70s. There’s assassinations and moon landings happening in the world, while at home Onyx’s mother is slowly succumbing to early onset dementia. And Onyx, a dreamer and lover of magic believes he must be the one to save her.

In our conversation, Amber explains how this novel has finally given her both personal and professional freedom after overcoming significant challenges in the early days of her writing and publishing career. She explains, how she keeps stretching herself as a writer to level up and never fit in a box. And, the spiritual practices she believes helps her characters arrive fully formed in her mind. 

Mahogany Books

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