Paraclete Poetry announces Nikki Grimes' first book of poetry for Fall 2021
October 19, 2020 — Paraclete Press announces the signing of New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes, for her first book of adult poetry, Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems, to be published in the fall of 2021.
About the book, Ms. Grimes explains: “A study of scripture reveals that Jesus spent a lot of time with people in the margins. As an African American, I live in the margins, and I can tell you that it's a place most of us would rather not be. And yet, I know there is always glory to be found in the margins because of the Lord’s presence in, and with us.
“As Poet Laureate of my Grace Brethren Church in Southern California, it’s my job to distill the heart of the weekly sermon into a poem. I dive into each week’s chosen scripture, viewing it from my own perspective as Black, as woman, as poet, always a little left of center, and looking for the glory to be found in the margins of life, and of the text. Of course, those of us who live in the margins are not what anyone expects, and the very notion that God might speak through us, through me, may seem a bit wild. But he does. ‘I will pour out my spirit on all flesh,’ said the Lord. God’s busy in the hearts of all who call on him.”
Glory in the Margins was acquired by Jon M. Sweeney, Paraclete Press’s publisher and editor-in-chief. Ms. Grimes was represented by her agent at Curtis Brown, Ltd. The book will be published in the Paraclete Poetry imprint in August of next year.
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes is the recipient of the ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to the field of adolescent literature, the 2017 Children's Literature Legacy Award, the 2016 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, and the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her distinguished works include the much-honored Garvey's Choice, ALA Notable book What is Goodbye?, Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade, and Coretta Scott King Author Honor books Jazmin's Notebook, Talkin' About Bessie, Dark Sons, Words with Wings, and The Road to Paris. Creator of the popular Meet Danitra Brown, Ms. Grimes is also the author of a memoir, Ordinary Hazards, published last year. She lives in Corona, California.
For more information contact publicist Rachel McKendree at rachelm@paracletepress.com.