John Jeffire

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2023

Stories (1)

1 Story

22 karma pts

?

“War” by John Jeffire

Submitted to Contest #223

War American History. Honkey history. Presidents and generals and captains of industry. All white. All male. Wouldn’t know there was a woman or black or brown or yellow or red person ever set foot on the continent except to pick cotton or stand up for target practice in another glorious military victory. Enslaved our bodies, now trying to enslave our brains. Count on one hand anyone who questions a damn thing in this school. Where our role models? Only black people work here are custodians, secur...

2 comments 2
Read story

Author bio

John Jeffire was born in Detroit. In 2005, his novel “Motown Burning” was named Grand Prize Winner in the Mount Arrowsmith Novel Competition and in 2007 it won a Gold Medal for Regional Fiction in the Independent Publishing Awards. Speaking of “Motown Burning,” former chair of the Pulitzer Jury Philip F. O'Connor said, “It works. I don't often say that, but it has a drive and integrity that gives it credible life....I find a novel with heart.” In 2009, Andra Milacca included “Motown Burning” in her list of “Six Savory Novels Set in Detroit” along with works by Elmore Leonard, Joyce Carol Oates, and Jeffrey Eugenides. His first book of poetry, “Stone + Fist + Brick + Bone,” was nominated for a Michigan Notable Book Award in 2009. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine called the book “a terrific one for our city.” His short story “Boss” appeared in Coolest American Stories 2022, which won the International Book Awards Prize for Fiction Anthologies. In 2022, his novel “River Rouge” won the American Writing Awards for Legacy Fiction. For more on the author and his work, visit writeondetroit.com.