A national literary organization for Black fiction writers finds its home in St. Louis

Emerging African American writers often struggle to find mentors to guide their writing, have trouble getting their work in front of editors or agents who understand their points of view and simply navigate the publishing industry.

Critically acclaimed author and St. Louisan David Haynes is working to connect Black writers to the book industry in new ways through Kimbilio, a fellowship program for Black fiction writers.

African American writers who are at the beginning of their careers and have the potential to win top book prizes in the next few years should be in St. Louis, Haynes said.

“We want this to be a stop for the writers who are really changing the culture," he said. “Kimbilio is well on its way to helping grow and make those changes in the literary world at large.”

Haynes