Bernice L. McFadden's Blog
December 13, 2018
December 12, 2018
Bernice L. McFadden12/12/12 - 12/12/186 years ago today I...
Bernice L. McFadden
12/12/12 - 12/12/18
6 years ago today I sold my house, placed my belongings in storage and set out on a journey that would include me cutting off my locs..traveling to several countries, completing my MFA in creative writing, becoming a professor of creative writing and publishing two novels.
I started this journey soaked in heartbreak. I started this journey obsessed with what I had loss... and if I may be honest, it’s taken six years to shift my focus from obsessing over loss to celebrating all that I have gained. And I’m not talking about material or monetary gains. I’m taking about self-awareness and rediscovery.
If I am to be completely transparent - the unraveling of my old life really began in 2008... so it’s been a decade of upheaval and reorganization. I feel a seismic change heading my way - but unlike the one that occurred in 2008 - this one feels warm and fuzzy. I’m ready. I’m so ready....#ImStillHere
April 23, 2018
NEW NOVEL ALERT: Praise Song for the Butterflies coming 8/28/18
Abeo Kata lives a comfortable, happy life in West Africa as the privileged nine-year-old daughter of a government employee and stay-at-home mother. But when the Katas’ idyllic lifestyle takes a turn for the worse, Abeo’s father, following his mother’s advice, places her in a religious shrine, hoping that the sacrifice of his daughter will serve as religious atonement for the crimes of his ancestors. Unspeakable acts befall Abeo for the fifteen years she is enslaved within the shrine. When she is finally rescued, broken and battered, she must struggle to overcome her past, endure the revelation of family secrets, and learn to trust and love again.Praise Song for the Butterflies is a contemporary story that offers an eye-opening account of the practice of ritual servitude in West Africa. Spanning decades and two continents, Praise Song for the Butterflies will break and heal your heart.Please support the independently owned bookstores in your by pre-ordering through those establishments HERE Amazon has also made it available now for pre-orderThere are an estimated 27 million people enslaved around the globe. Praise Song for the Butterflies focuses on one country and the tradition of ritual servitude known in West Africa as Trokosi. Please watch this video to familiarize yourself with the practice...
Thank you for watching, reading and supporting..
Bernice L. McFadden
January 21, 2017
Student Film: The Book of Lou from Nowhere is a Place
Som years back, film student: Danielle Russell requested permission to adapt a scene from my novel: Nowhere is a Place for a final thesis project. This is the result. And it is powerful and beautiful.
Bernice L. McFadden
Bernice L. McFadden
December 21, 2016
Happy Holidays!!!!
Hello!!!!!
It's been six months since I last touched base with you all and needless to say, so much has happened since then. So, let me catch you up with words and pics! First, my mother suffered a head injury that nearly took her away from her four children.
Summer 2016 was one of the scariest months of my entire life. That said, my mother recovered and is the happiest I've seen her in a very long time. 
While I was attending to my mother, I was invited to join the English Department at Tulane University as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing.
I've just completed my first semester and it was awesome! If you don't know, Tulane University is in New Orleans, Louisiana. And I don't think its "happenstance" that the iconic Louis Armstrong played a pivotal role in my in my novel: The Book of Harlan and now, daily I look out on a statue that was erected in his honor. Speaking of The Book of Harlan, I want to thank all of you who purchased copies and spread the word verbally as well as via social media. In October, I had the pleasure of traveling to London, England to launch the UK version of The Book of Harlan, published by the fabulous Jacaranda Books. 
If that wasn't thrilling enough, The Washington Post declared The Book of Harlan "Simply Miraculous" and placed the novel on its end of the year Notable Fiction list. Recently, The Book of Harlan has been nominated for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction.
If you're a card carrying member of the NAACP, please cast your vote.And the cherry on top of all of this good news is that my novels: Loving Donovan and Gathering of Waters made cameo appearances on the new hit series: INSECURE
if you haven't watched Issa Rae's phenomenal HBO debut -- you're missing out! (Read about how my novels have inspired Issa Rae)All in all, 2016 has been a phenomenal year!
Please know that I am wishing you and yours a fabulous holiday season and much love, happiness, health and prosperity in 2017!!!Light,
Bernice L. McFadden
www.bernicemcfadden.com
Bernice L. McFadden
It's been six months since I last touched base with you all and needless to say, so much has happened since then. So, let me catch you up with words and pics! First, my mother suffered a head injury that nearly took her away from her four children.
Summer 2016 was one of the scariest months of my entire life. That said, my mother recovered and is the happiest I've seen her in a very long time. While I was attending to my mother, I was invited to join the English Department at Tulane University as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing.I've just completed my first semester and it was awesome! If you don't know, Tulane University is in New Orleans, Louisiana. And I don't think its "happenstance" that the iconic Louis Armstrong played a pivotal role in my in my novel: The Book of Harlan and now, daily I look out on a statue that was erected in his honor. Speaking of The Book of Harlan, I want to thank all of you who purchased copies and spread the word verbally as well as via social media. In October, I had the pleasure of traveling to London, England to launch the UK version of The Book of Harlan, published by the fabulous Jacaranda Books. If that wasn't thrilling enough, The Washington Post declared The Book of Harlan "Simply Miraculous" and placed the novel on its end of the year Notable Fiction list. Recently, The Book of Harlan has been nominated for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction.
If you're a card carrying member of the NAACP, please cast your vote.And the cherry on top of all of this good news is that my novels: Loving Donovan and Gathering of Waters made cameo appearances on the new hit series: INSECURE
if you haven't watched Issa Rae's phenomenal HBO debut -- you're missing out! (Read about how my novels have inspired Issa Rae)All in all, 2016 has been a phenomenal year! Please know that I am wishing you and yours a fabulous holiday season and much love, happiness, health and prosperity in 2017!!!Light,Bernice L. McFadden
www.bernicemcfadden.com
Bernice L. McFadden
December 13, 2016
Bernice McFadden on The Book of Harlan | Well-Read Black Girl
Today, The Book of Harlan was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work..!
Bernice L. McFadden
Bernice L. McFadden
