Woman. Warrior. Writer. 02-24

Dr. Sheena Howard Vol. 5 No. 2 02-05-24

Feb 05, 2024

Woman. Warrior. Writer. Dr. Sheena Howard

How did you come to author your life?

I’ve been a writer since I could write. It’s always been my preferred method of communication. It comes naturally to me to express myself that way. All other forms of communication are things I’ve had to work really hard at learning. My first published book is called Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, and with that book, I became the first Black woman to win an Eisner award at San Diego Comic-Con.

Dr. Sheena C. Howard is the first Black woman to win an Eisner award at San Diego Comic-Con for her first book, Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation (2014). The Eisner is considered the ‘Oscars of Comics.’ Howard has published comic books for both Marvel (Illusion of Fairness, 2023) and DC (Fresh Air in Philly, 2021, and others) comics. She has written a graphic novel and stage play for DMC (from RUN-DMC), published with Bloomsbury (Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, 2014), Chicago Review Press (Encyclopedia of Black Comics, 2017), BenBella Press (Why Wakanda Matters, 2021), and more. In addition, her work has received numerous book awards, including an American Library Association’s Outstanding Reference Sourcebook award and more. Her books have been featured in Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. She is also the subject of an Emmy-nominated episode of State of the Arts. Finally, Dr. Howard writes and ghostwrites for celebrities, CEOs, and social impact companies that seek to empower, inspire, and motivate.

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NEWS

Events

The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) is hosting the 2024 AWP Conference & Bookfair on February 7-10 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event brings together thousands of attendees, writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers, for four days of essential literary conversation and celebration. I have some friends going to the conference too! Keep an eye out for these panels:

Celestine Woo (WCWW Alumna) joins “Pathways to Publishing for Indie Authors of Color” (Thurs, 12:10-1:25 PM/ Room 3501 GH, Level 3)
Kirin Khan (Pen Emerging Voices Fellow) dialogues with Asian American Writers’ Workshop “Queer & Trans Writing as Rebellion” (On-Demand/Virtual). Khan is on a live panel “Pathways to Publishing for Indie Authors of Color” (Thurs, 12:10-1:25 PM/ Room 3501 GH, Level 3)
Toni Ann Johnson (WWW) participates in “Navigating Stormy Waters: Telling Your Tales When They’re Hard Stories to Tell“(Thurs, 9:00-10:15 AM / Room 2209, Street Level) and “Too Small For the Patriarchy: Getting Girlhood Stories Past the Gatekeepers” (Fri, 3:20-4:35 PM / Room 3501 EF, Level 3).
Grace Loh Prasad participates in “Bad Immigrant Daughters in Fiction and Nonfiction” (Thurs, 1:45-3:00 PM / Room 2211, Street Level) and “What Bookshelf Do I Belong On?: The Challenges of Literary Categorization”, discussing agents, contracts, contests & marketing. (Fri, 10:35-11:50 AM / Room 3501 EF, Level 3).
Nami Mun discusses literary genres, craft, & criticism “A Good Book is Never Late” (Sat, 3:20-4:35 PM / Room 2209).
AH Kim joins “Pathways to Success: Practical and Personal Tips for Getting Published” (Thurs, 1:45-3:00 PM / Room 3501 GH).
Darien Hsu Gee (WWW) speaks on nonfiction and craft “won’t you celebrate with me: BIPOC Women on Crafting the Personal Narrative” (Thurs, 9:00-11:50 AM / Room 2215A, Street Level) and nonfiction micro-essays and their impact “Snap, Crackle, Prose: Telling Our Stories in 300 Words or Less” (Thurs, 1:45-3:00 PM / Room 2215A).
Caroline Kim (WWW) discusses fiction in the context of short stories “A Perfect Fit: Debut Short Story Collections & University Presses” (Thurs, 3:20-4:35 PM / Room 3501AB, Level 3) and “Crafting Unforgettable Characters - a Writer’s Guide to Storytelling” (Fri, 9:00-10:15 AM / Room 3501CD, Level 3).
Jasmin Iolani Hakes (WWW) speaks on“Writing Your Way Through A Major World Event” (Sat, 3:20-4:35 PM / Room 2502B, Level 2).
Joe Milan joins“Life of Labor in Letters: Working-Class Storytelling” (Fri, 1:45-3:00 PM / Room 3501CD, Level 3).
Gene Kwak joins “Slackers, Stoners, and Screw-Ups: APIA Writers on the Margin of the Margins” (Thurs, 12:10-1:25 PM / Room 2210).

See the Full Program

Classes

Women’s Creative Writing Workshop (4 weeks) April 4-25 Thurs. 1-3PM (HST) a mixed-level cross-genre generative writing workshop with a focus on voice, craft, creative process, and community.
Intersectionality Manuscript Workshop (10 weeks) April 2-June 4 Tues. 1-3PM (HST) You must be working on a full-length manuscript. Instructor permission only. Contact: writer@drstephaniehan.com MFA level workshop.
Master Narratives a Deep Dive LIVE in-person at Da Shop Saturday April 6, 9-11 AM (HST) in Honolulu. Open-gender class. Rethink your creative process and personal narrative. A signature class and that will shift your authorial approach.

WHY sign up? You will leave class a better writer. I focus on voice. You will be in community with women writers who take their craft seriously.

Free Offerings

the big ask is an ask-me-anything Zoom Thurs Feb 29 1-2PM HST. This is a free session for WCWW FB members (open to students, guest authors, and syllabus authors) and WWW subscribers only. I've been focusing on intuitive insight to help myself and my students. Story often transcends the page, and so it’s in this spirit, that I look forward to seeing you. Got a problem? Email writer@drstephaniehan.com for a link.