How to cultivate a creative corner. *Originally published via my Substack: https://faylitahicks.substack.com/ A Dynamic Creative Space Before I can tell you what I know about publishing, I have to tell you what I know about creating. …

Trump’s only talent may be his ability to successfully convince folx to look the other away. This year will go down as the year we all had to finally look ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Who are we?” While some of us hoped that 2020 would be the year…

“Exhaust the little moment. Soon it dies. And be it gash or gold it will not come again in this identical disguise.” From Gwendolyn Brooks’ Annie Allen (Greenwood-Heinemann, 1972) The writer and artivist Faylita Hicks meditates on the dire consequences of two and a half centuries worth of legislative abuse…

By TAVP Writer-in-Residence Faylita Hicks The face of the little nine-year-old girl I placed for adoption stares up at the rumble and glitter of Chicago’s black sky, her hands grasping at the shutter of my camera, anxiously excited for the next great bombastic moment to arrive. Where we are on…

It’s a dog fight ya’ll. When I first set out on the journey to become a working writer, I had all kinds of plans. I made budgets and outlines, drafted articles and pitches, cleaned up essays and poems, and created deadlines for myself. …

Thank you. My Story On May 2, 2010, my car broke down, for the third time, on the side of the highway. Soon, an officer was knocking on my window and asking for my ID. I would spend 45 days in a county jail for a failure to appear warrant related to…

A Reflection It would be easier for me to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. We could move on to gifts, flowers, breakfast in bed, hand-made cards, and laughter. It would be easier for me to do this — if I were not a Black child. But as I am…

The Cite & Release Ordinance Dear Council Members, As a 17-year resident, local author, and Texas State University Alumni, I urge the Council to enact the proposed Ordinance 2020–18, which would protect the legislative rights of residents and community members as set forth by the Texas Constitution’s Bill of Rights…

Stop waiting for permission to get what you really want out of your creative career. When I signed the contract for my first book of poetry, HoodWitch, I told myself not to get too excited. Books of poetry rarely get the shine that nonfiction or fiction books do. I told…