Writers

L. Cherelle

During childhood and teenage years, author L. Cherelle wrote short stories and plays, but it was not until 2009 that she decided to take a leap of faith and prove to herself that the process of writing and publishing is surmountable. In December 2009, she transferred her passion for all things handmade to the art of storytelling. L. Cherelle writes stories that reflect the lives and relationships of Southern, lesbian identified Black women in the hope that readers will seek authenticity in their relationships and within themselves. “Through my characters, I hope that all women shed damaging stereotypes and tainted expectations. We can expound on the meaning of womanhood by forming our own definitions.” L. Cherelle uses her relationships and experiences as a jump off for characterization and plot development, pulling lessons from the joys and pains of friends and family members. “It is important that my characters are relatable and a reflection of who I am and what we—Black, lesbian-identified women—experience.”

Accept the Unexpected is L. Cherelle’s debut novel and definitely not her last. She is currently writing and editing future titles. “Novel writing is an adventure. It has forced me to push myself and believe in myself as well. I look forward to expanding my imagination even more and growing for readers.”

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Kionne Nicole

Kionne Nicole began writing short stories and poems at the age of seven. Kionne Nicole is actually a pen name that the author created as a child. “Retaining the name is a way for me to honor my childhood,” she explains, “and a way for me to carry on something that has always been inside me.”

To deal with the stress of unemployment in late 2009, Kionne began to write her first novel, The Space Our Love Demands. The novel mirrors aspects of her personal relationships and explores real thoughts and emotions of young, African American lesbian-identified college students. “I think it’s important for us to tell our own stories the way we want to,” she says.

Kionne Nicole is a native of Drummonds, TN. She is currently a full-time graduate student and Marriage and Family Therapist in training.

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Z. Bediako

Z. Bediako is an Atlanta born, Philly transplant who revels in her southern upbringing. Poetry is her first passion and community activism is the second. Her power to the people poetry explores self, sexuality, humanity, and popular culture. Her work can be found in publications such as Graterford News and Purple Magazine.

She maintains a poetry blog titled Tongue Rhythms and is co-author of the self-published womanist zine, Womanish.