{"product_id":"conversations-with-kiese-laymon-9781496858115","title":"Conversations with Kiese Laymon","description":"In over a dozen interviews, \u003ci\u003eConversations with Kiese Laymon \u003c\/i\u003eprovides an in-depth look at author Kiese Laymon as an educator, creative writer, activist, family member, and Mississippian. Interviews capture surprising insights into Laymon's life and craft. Within these pages, Laymon talks about his engagement with other writers, including Richard Wright, William Faulkner, and Eudora Welty. These revelations situate his memoir, \u003ci\u003eHeavy\u003c\/i\u003e, among other great Mississippi autobiographies and memoirs, such as Anne Moody's \u003ci\u003eComing of Age in Mississippi\u003c\/i\u003e, Welty's \u003ci\u003eOne Writer's Beginnings\u003c\/i\u003e, Jesmyn Ward's \u003ci\u003eMen We Reaped\u003c\/i\u003e, and Natasha Trethewey's \u003ci\u003eMemorial Drive\u003c\/i\u003e. In other interviews, he discusses his obsession with revision and deftly fields questions about pop culture, politics, and Black masculinity, along with a host of other pressing contemporary issues. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e As the first collection of its kind, \u003ci\u003eConversations with Kiese Laymon \u003c\/i\u003eserves as the perfect introduction to studying Laymon. The cross section of interviews included reflects Laymon's humility, while simultaneously celebrating his accomplishments. Most importantly, the interviews reflect his stature as a major American literary figure. With topics ranging from hip-hop and family to politics and everything in between, this volume provides an unfiltered look at the prolific Southern writer in his own words.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eConstance Bailey \u003c\/b\u003eis assistant professor of African American literature and folklore at Georgia State University. Her research focuses on Black women's comedy and humor, Black speculative fiction, and African American folklore and oral traditions.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"University Press of Mississippi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51635397001490,"sku":"9781496858115","price":120.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ab4ef738-e694-479c-b11a-85a4abc5d014.jpg?v=1759232879","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/conversations-with-kiese-laymon-9781496858115","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}