NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- There is a new culture emerging in Harlem that closely mirrors that of the Harlem Renaissance. It is no coincidence that Oprah Winfrey has produced "Their Eyes Are Watching God" at a time when the cultural life and commercial revival of Harlem could not be hotter. You don't have to be a Harvard educated, award-winning poet and author like Ruth-Miriam Garnett to know this! However, Ms. Garnett does know it, and emerging writers who have been visiting a mecca of a different kind, know it also. Ms. Garnett, whose debut novel, Laelia (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books) was released earlier this year, offers the first in a series of multiple genre workshops specifically to foster an environment for these emerging writers. Beginning October 12th, The Harlem Workshop will be held at Hue-Man Bookstore, the best known African American bookstore in the country.
Following the September 11th attacks, and until recently, Ms. Garnett (a St. Louis native) under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, coordinated a program ("A Reading of African Diaspora Poets for Peace,"), in St. Louis and at Columbia, and taught at CCNY and NYU. Bringing a non-academic writers' workshop to Harlem now, was essential. "Banality won't take us to the next level. If in art, we witness the emperor is naked, I am inclined to say so," says Garnett. This was true of the works of the diverse artists from around the world who were part of her workshop, as well as for Harlem's present community. The cultural reflection of social and intellectual upheaval mirrors that of the works created in the 1920's by Harlem Renaissance writers.
Ms. Garnett holds strong views about the recent book buying trends among black readers. "Popcorn is okay sometimes, but exploring identity and challenging social mores is a big portion of the aesthetic groundwork laid by decades of our authors who sacrificed a great deal to leave us a tradition of writing vibrantly and well. I want to foster a literary standard that reflects not only a polished style, but also a vision for uplift of black people worldwide that, by extension, highlights the limitless possibilities of human existence." Judging by the cross-over success of her novel Laelia, which garnered favorable reviews in such diverse publications as Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, it is clear others feel the same way. Ms. Garnett will appear on a panel October 3 at 'New York Is Book Country' to discuss these themes.
The 6-week (one class per week) workshop will provide an environment for discussion geared towards craft for writers interested in honing their craft and producing a publishable manuscript. Ms. Garnett will provide publishing advice by revealing her personal experiences and those of her colleagues. The goals of The Harlem Workshop are to assist writers in all phases of developing publishable manuscripts. An optional public reading for participants will be held at the end of the session. For further information about fees and schedule, call (212) 234-6876 or email HarlemWorkshop@aol.com.