Toni Morrison Interview: On Racism, Her New Novel and Marlon Brando – Telegraph

May 4, 2015 By Captain Maiel

Toni Morrison is in the news again! Did I mention I love her? You should know that I will probably share her news too much. I will try to temper myself.

Anyway. Toni Morrison, author extraordinaire has a new book out…

“I’m not the marching type anyway. So when I went into publishing, I thought, the best I can do is to publish the works of those who are out there – like Angela Davis, Huey Newton – and the literature. And let it be edited by someone who understands the language, and understands the culture.”

Toni mentions something really important for writers to grasp in that quote: “someone who understands the language, and understands the culture.” No matter what you are writing about, make sure that the editor you pick understands your voice, where you are coming from and, when it’s culturally relevant, that they understand that relevancy. A good editor should be a good fit to the work. Don’t take a rejection as a knock at your work. The truth is that most editors turn you down because that is not their kind of book. They would not do right by your work. So when seeking a publisher and editor and all of that, make sure that you research their background. It goes far beyond knowing how to use a semi-colon properly.

Toni Morrison Interview: On Racism, Her New Novel and Marlon Brando – Telegraph

About Captain Maiel

Born in Saratoga Springs, New York, K has enjoyed more than twenty years professionally writing. K attended Morrisville State College, majoring in Biology, and then continued with English and History at the University at Albany, where she gained her Bachelor’s Degree. While attending UA, K interned with the 13th Moon Feminist Literary Magazine, bridging her interests in social movements and art. Topics of K's writing often include gender and racial disparities, and trauma. In 2014, K graduated from Empire State College (SUNY) with a Masters in Liberal Studies: screenwriting (Film Studies), the politics of film, and adaptations. During her gradute work, K was the recipient of the Foner Fellowship in Arts and Social Justice, a full scholarship.
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Published novels by K include the Civil War drama Blue Honor, the Second World War spy thriller OP-DEC:Operation Deceit, and the controversial dark fantasy, paranormal series The Trailokya Trilogy. In addition to writing novels, K does screenwriting: 8 Days in Ireland and the adaptations of her current novels. A sequel to her second novel, OP-DEC, is in the research phase, while the screen adaptation is being considered for production by film companies.
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In 2015, K. Williams became an official member of International Thriller Writers, but her greatest accomplishment thus far was becoming a mother in 2017. K continues to produce commentary and art pieces on The Blue Honor Blog, publishing twice weekly. A devoted dog mom, K created Shagbottom Theater in which her dogs star as well known literary and stage personas. K is also a visual artist, producing the ZoDuck Cartoon, painting and sketching--digitally or traditionally, as well as an accomplished Photographer. Click here to see more! Whether it's cooking, IVF and Parenting, learning a foreign language, history or dogs, you'll find something to enjoy and for which to come back.
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Excerpts of K's unedited, rough drafts and other scraps of writing can be found at: KWilliamsAuthor on deviantArt.com. You can also sample her books on Wattpad.