“The Caribbean Writer,” an international, refereed literary journal published yearly by the University of the Virgin Islands, has announced the release of Volume 32, which is themed: “Rough Tides, Tough Times: Reflections and Transitions.”
Volume 32 boasts insightful and exciting poetry, short-stories, personal essays, interviews and book reviews by established as well as emerging writers from the Caribbean and its diaspora.
“’The Caribbean Writer’ is a gem of the university that has garnered the support of each president since its existence, and I am honored to follow in that grand tradition,” said UVI President David Hall. “That support has been consistent because of the obvious and inherent worth and value of this publication and its centrality to the mission of the University of the Virgin Islands.”
Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Kimarie Engerman had high praises for Volume 32, stating that she is “proud of The Caribbean Writer, which continues to provide a forum for a wealth of varied literary expressions in a high quality publication that is now known, read and respected around the globe.”
Volume 32 is, again, edited by Alscess Lewis Brown, an award-winning author of young adult books and a member of the UVI’s adjunct faculty since 1990, teaching courses in literature, writing and the humanities.
“Again, I am delighted to have the distinct privilege and honor of editing this prestigious literary journal. We are now the oldest continuously published journal in the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Writer — the living testimony of Caribbean people – is showing signs that we cannot escape the changes taking place globally and environmentally for we have literally weathered some of the toughest storms in the region, and since our inception in 1987, have never missed a publication year,” Brown said. “Volume 32 is an imaginative and expressive review of the power, prescience and resilience of the Caribbean experience.”
The editor went on to note that as the journal went to press in 2018, the Caribbean region and, by extension, the world was “pressed by the passing of giant scholars, thinkers, writers — literati of the stature that the Caribbean will not soon forget. Last year (2017) in March, we lost an esteemed member of our editorial advisory board, Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. This year in March (2018), Wilson Harris, regarded as one of the most influential writers over the last 50 years, departed this literary thoroughfare. Paget Henry, Caribbean scholar and Brown University chair, celebrates his work in this volume.
Then, in August (2018), Nobel Laureate Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, informally known as V.S. Naipaul, who published 30 books, both of fiction and nonfiction over some 50 years, departed, having finished [his writing], and gone away (V.S. Naipaul, “Between Father and Son: Family Letters,” Charlie Rose, 01/25/2000, https://charlierose. com/videos/26083 ). H. Adlai Murdoch, Tuft University professor of Francophone Studies and Director of Africana Studies, writes an insightful overview on Sir V.S. Naipaul in Volume 32.
In addition, a number of emerging Virgin Islands authors are featured in this edition, including Semaj Johnson, Elaine Jacobs, Daisy Holder Lafond, Patricia Nelthrop-Fagan and Clement White. The Caribbean Writer also recognizes the winners of the 2018 literary prizes. Brenda Flanagan, a Trinidadian author, won The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for her short fiction “To Dance With My Brother.” Shani Isaac, a St. Croix resident and university student, won The Daily News Prize for her story entitled, “Homecoming.” Mezan Ayoka of Jamaica won The David Hough Literary Prize for her poem entitled “Under the House.” Mary Duggan, a St. Croix resident, won The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize for her poem “Honey Bee.” Kacy West, a Jamaican poet, won The Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize for her work entitled “The Colour of Politics.”
To maintain its high standard, the local editorial board is comprised of Dr. Lomarsh Roopnarine, a professor at the Jackson State University, and professors from both UVI campuses, Dr. Vincent O. Cooper, Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre and Dr. Vanda Espinosa.
The cover features art work by the versatile and skillful Trinidadian artist Danielle Boodoo-Fortune, a longtime supporter of TCW.
Copies are $25.99 and are available at Undercover Books in Christiansted and The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted. It can also be ordered on website at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org or through PayPal. The Caribbean Writer is also available digitally at www.joomag.com.
For more information, contact the TCW offices at 692-4122 or 692-4152 or via email at thecaribbeanwriter@uvi.edu.