Shawn Stewart Ruff on Exploring Racism Through Fiction

'In Shawn Stewart Ruff’s debut novel Finlater , a Cincinnati housing project takes center stage, acting as a springboard for every aspect of protagonist Cliffy Douglass’s young life. The book is fiction but draws closely from Ruff’s own childhood growing up Black in the 1970s. Moving and memorable, Finlater explores the overt racism that still plagues America. With a probing eye and tender touch Amanda explores Ruff’s world in this secret coming-of-age classic about changing demographics, interracial friendship, sexual orientation, and first love.'