Incomplete Works of Professor Kwame Dawes

 

INCOMPLETE WORKS OF PROFESSOR KWAME DAWES

 

Once again, hearty congratulations to Professor Kwame Dawes on his appointment as the latest Poet Laureate of Jamaica. Presented below is a compilation of his ongoing projects. At the International Writers Association (IWA), our commitment extends beyond the promotion of writers to ensuring public access to their literary endeavors. For further details regarding the International Writers Association (IWA), please reach out to us at internationalwritersassociatio@gmail.com or visit www.internationalwritersassociationonline.blogspot.com.

POETRY

• Progeny of Air, Peepal Tree Press, 1994, ISBN 978-0-948833-68-7
• Resisting the Anomie, Fredericton, 1995, ISBN 978-0-864921-47-5
• Prophets, Peepal Tree Press, 1995, ISBN 978-0-948833-85-4
• Jacko Jacobus, Peepal Tree Press, 1996, ISBN 978-1-900715-06-5
• Requiem, Peepal Tree Press, 1996, ISBN 978-1-900715-07-2
• Shook Foil, Peepal Tree Press, 1997, ISBN 978-1-900715-14-0
• Map-Maker Smith/Doorstop Books, 2000, ISBN 978-1-902382-18-0
• Midland. Ohio University Press. 2001. ISBN 978-0-8214-1356-2. Kwame Senu Neville Dawes.
• New and Selected Poems, 1994–2002, Peepal Tree Press, 2003, ISBN 978-1-900715-70-6
• Bruised Totems, Parallel Press Madison, 2004, ISBN 978-1-893311-48-0 ^[25]
• I Saw Your Face, with Tom Feelings, Dial Books, 2005, ISBN 978-0-803718-94-4
• Wisteria: Twilight Songs from the Swamp Country, Red Hen Press, 2006, ISBN 978-1-597090-59-9
• Impossible Flying, Peepal Tree Press, 2007, ISBN 978-1-845230-39-5
• Gomer's Song. Akashic Books. 2007. ISBN 978-1-933354-44-6.
• Hope's Hospice, Peepal Tree Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-845230-78-4
• Back of Mount Peace, Peepal Tree Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84523-124-8
• Wheels, Peepal Tree Press, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84523-142-2
• Duppy Conqueror: New and Selected Poems, Copper Canyon Press, 2013, ISBN 978-1-55659-423-6
• Speak from Here to There, with John Kinsella, Peepal Tree Press, 2016, ISBN 978-1-845233-19-8
• City of Bones: A Testament, Northwestern University Press, 2017, ISBN 978-0810134-62-1

NOVELS

• She's Gone. Akashic Books. 2007. ISBN 978-1-933354-18-7.
• Bivouac, Peepal Tree Press Ltd, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84523-105-7

SHORT STORIES

• A Place to Hide and Other Stories, Peepal Tree Press, 2003, ISBN 978-1-900715-48-5

NON FICTION

• Natural Mysticism: Towards a Reggae Aesthetic, Peepal Tree Press, 1999, ISBN 978-1-900715-22-5 ^[32]
• Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius, Sanctuary, 2002, ISBN 978-1-86074-433-4
• A Far Cry from Plymouth Rock: A Personal Narrative, Peepal Tree Press, 2007, ISBN 978-1-845230-25-8

PLAYS

• One Love. Methuen. 2001. ISBN 978-0-413-76530-7.

EDITOR

• Wheel and Come Again: An anthology of Reggae Poetry. Goose Lane Editions. 1998.
• Twenty South Carolina Poetry Fellows. Hub City Press. 2005. ISBN 978-1891885-39-6.
• Red: Contemporary Black British Poetry. Peepal Tree Press. 2009. ISBN 978-1-84523-129-3.
• Fugue and Other Writings. Peepal Tree Press. 2009. ISBN 978-1845231-09-5.
• (with Colin Channer) So Much Things to Say: 100 Poets from the First Ten Years of the Calabash International Literary Festival. Akashic Books. 2010. ISBN 978-1-936070-07-7.
• Home Is Where: An Anthology of African American Poetry from the Carolinas. Hub City Press. 2011. ISBN 978-1891885-80-8.
• (with Jeremy Poynting) Hold Me To an Island: Caribbean Place: An Anthology of Writing. Peepal Tree Press. 2011. ISBN 978-1-84523-163-7.
• Jubilation!: Poems Celebrating 50 Years of Jamaican Independence. Peepal Tree Press. 2012. ISBN 978-1845232-04-7.
• Seven Strong: Winners of the South Carolina Poetry Book Prize, 2006–2012. University of South Carolina Press. 2012. ISBN 978-1-61117-093-1.
• (with Marianne Kunkel and James Englehardt) The Prairie Schooner Book Prize: Tenth Anniversary Reader. University of Nebraska Press. 2013. ISBN 978-0803240-43-8.
• (with Marjory Wentworth) Seeking: Poetry and Prose Inspired by the Art of Jonathan Green. University of South Carolina Press. 2013. ISBN 978-1611170-92-4.
• (with Chris Abani) Eight New Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Boxset. Akashic Books/African Poetry Book Fund. 2015. ISBN 978-1617753-55-8.
• (With Chris Abani) New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set – Tatu. Akashic Books/African Poetry Book Fund. 2016. ISBN 978-1617754-51-7.
• Kwame Dawes, ed. (2016). When the Rewards Can Be So Great: Essays on Writing and the Writing Life. Pacific University Press. ISBN 978-0988482-74-6.
• Kwame Dawes, ed. (2016). A Bloom of Stones: A Tri-lingual Anthology of Haitian Poems After the Earthquake. Peepal Tree Press. ISBN 978-1845231-92-7.
• (with Matthew Shenoda) Bearden's Odyssey: Poets Respond to the Art of Romare Bearden. Northwestern University Press. 2017. ISBN 978-0810134-89-8.
• (with Chris Abani) New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set – Nne. Akashic Books/African Poetry Book Fund. 2017. ISBN 978-1617755-40-8.
• (with Chris Abani) New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set – Tano. Akashic Books/African Poetry Book Fund. 2018. ISBN 978-1617756-23-8.

SOUTH CAROLINA POETRY BOOK PRIZE

Dawes established the South Carolina Poetry Initiative's annual book prize competition, and edits the winning manuscripts.

• Koets, Julia (2012). Hold like Owls. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-61117-084-9.
• Pournelle, Jennifer (2011). Excavations: A City Cycle. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-61117-093-1.
• Evans, Worthy (2010). Green Revolver. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-57003-932-4.
• Dameron, DéLana R. A. (2009). How God Ends Us. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-57003-832-7.
• Madden, Ed (2008). Signals. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-57003-750-4.
• McManus, Ray (2007). Driving Through the Country Before You Are Born. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-57003-702-3.
• Meyers, Susan (2006). Keep and Give Away. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-57003-670-5.

AFRICAN POETRY BOOK FUND

Dawes is the founding editor of the African Poetry Book Fund (APBF). The series itself was started in 2014 and established through the generosity of Laura Sillerman and Robert F. X. Sillerman. The goal of the APBF is to promote and publicize "the poetic arts through its book series, contests, workshops, and seminars and through its collaborations with publishers, festivals, booking agents, colleges, universities, conferences and all other entities that share an interest in the poetic arts of Africa."

• (Co-editor with Chris Abani) New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set – Tano. Akashic Books. 2018. ISBN 978-1617756-23-8.
• (with Chris Abani) New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set – Nne. Akashic Books. 2017. ISBN 978-1617755-40-8.
• New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set – Tatu. Akashic Books. 2016. ISBN 978-1-61775-451-7.
• (with Chris Abani) Eight New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set. Akashic Books. 2015. ISBN 978-1-61775-355-8.
• (with Chris Abani) Seven New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set. Slapering Hol Press. 2014. ISBN 978-1-94064-658-9.

 

IWA Celebrates Kwame Dawes as Jamaica's New Poet Laureate

 

INTERNATIONAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES KWAME DAWES AS JAMAICA'S NEW POET LAUREATE

 

The International Writers Association (IWA) has congratulated Professor Kwame Dawes on his selection as the new Poet Laureate of Jamaica.

This news follows the announcement by Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia "Babsy" Grange, who declared Professor Dawes the most fitting candidate after a public nomination process and subsequent vote by a seven-member committee. Professor Dawes' investiture ceremony is forthcoming, formally commencing his tenure as Jamaica's Poet Laureate from 2024 to 2027.

In a statement released by the Acting President of the Association, Wole Adedoyin, the IWA commended the decision of Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, in selecting Professor Dawes for this esteemed position. Minister Grange highlighted Dawes' international acclaim and extensive body of work as defining factors in his selection.

As Poet Laureate, Professor Dawes will hold a three-year term tasked with developing and implementing programs that bolster the reading, writing, and overall appreciation of Jamaican poetry.

Professor Dawes, a Ghanaian-born poet, editor, critic, and musician, has garnered international acclaim for his works. His poems delve into themes of identity, migration, and the universal human experience. His achievements span various genres, with poetry collections like "Progeny of Air" and "City of Bones: A Testament" lauded for their rich lyricism and insightful social commentary. Professor Dawes boasts an impressive bibliography of 35 poetry collections alongside numerous works of fiction and essays.

Professor Dawes' contributions extend beyond his own literary pursuits. He co-founded the renowned Calabash International Literary Festival, a biennial event on Jamaica's south coast that has become a global literary phenomenon, alongside novelist Colin Channer and producer Justine Henzell.

This appointment marks the 10th anniversary of the Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme established by the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) in post-independence Jamaica. Professor Dawes joins a distinguished company of past laureates, including Professors Mervyn Morris, Lorna Goodison, and Olive Senior.

As Professor Kwame Dawes assumes his role as the Poet Laureate of Jamaica for the years 2024 to 2027, the International Writers Association stands in solidarity, celebrating his achievements and eagerly anticipating the enriching contributions he will make to the literary landscape of Jamaica and beyond.