Stonewall Book Award
2 appearances
-
Edition 42 (2015) Winner
-
Edition 47 (2020) Winner
Saeed Jones
サイード・ジョーンズ
Saeed Jones
Pen Names:
theferocity（Social media handle; used in early writings and online presence.）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1985-11-26 （Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.）
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Nichiren Buddhism
- Residence History
- Born in Memphis, Tennessee; raised in Lewisville, Texas → Resides in Columbus, Ohio (current residence)
Career
- Occupations
- Poet, Writer, Editor, Podcast host
- Active Years
- 2011-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky University | — | Creative writing / English | BA | — | United States |
| Rutgers University–Newark | — | Creative Writing (MFA) | MFA | — | United States |
Western Kentucky University
Creative writing / English
Degree:
BA
Country:
United States
Rutgers University–Newark
Creative Writing (MFA)
Degree:
MFA
Country:
United States
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction | How We Fight for Our Lives | — | Kirkus Reviews | 受賞 |
| 2020 | Lambda Literary Award | How We Fight for Our Lives | — | Lambda Literary | 受賞 |
| 2014 | National Book Critics Circle Award (Poetry) — Finalist | Prelude to Bruise | — | National Book Critics Circle | ファイナリスト |
| — | Pushcart Prize | — | — | Pushcart Press | 受賞 |
| — | Joyce Osterweil Award for Poetry (PEN) | — | — | PEN America | 受賞 |
| — | Stonewall Book Award–Barbara Gittings Award | — | — | American Library Association | 受賞 |
Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction
2019
Work:
How We Fight for Our Lives
Organization:
Kirkus Reviews
Result:
受賞
Lambda Literary Award
2020
Work:
How We Fight for Our Lives
Organization:
Lambda Literary
Result:
受賞
National Book Critics Circle Award (Poetry) — Finalist
2014
Work:
Prelude to Bruise
Organization:
National Book Critics Circle
Result:
ファイナリスト
Pushcart Prize
Organization:
Pushcart Press
Result:
受賞
Joyce Osterweil Award for Poetry (PEN)
Organization:
PEN America
Result:
受賞
Stonewall Book Award–Barbara Gittings Award
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Anisfield-Wolf Book Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 88 (2023) Winner
Works
Major Works
Prelude to Bruise
2014 PoetryDebut full-length poetry collection that explores identity, violence, sexual awakening, and family through visceral and intimate poems.
IdentityViolenceSexualityFamily
How We Fight for Our Lives
2019 Memoir / NonfictionA memoir chronicling Jones's transition from youth to adulthood as a Black, gay man, candidly addressing family, desire, and the pursuit of social mobility.
RaceSexualityComing of ageFamily
Alive at the End of the World
2022 PoetryA recent poetry collection that weaves personal memory with contemporary social concerns, focusing on themes of survival, resilience, and resistance.
ResilienceResistanceMemory
Bibliography
- When the Only Light is Fire (2011)
- Prelude to Bruise (2014)
- How We Fight for Our Lives (2019)
- Alive at the End of the World (2022)
- Contributor: Ghost Fishing: An Eco-Justice Poetry Anthology (2018)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Lyrical yet visceralBlend of poetic diction and stark realismDirect, emotionally charged voice
- Recurring Motifs
- Exploration of identityBody and violenceSexual awakening and desireFamily history and relationships
Legacy
Recognized as an important contemporary American voice exploring Black and queer experience across poetry and memoir; also influential through editorial work and media presence supporting younger writers.
Quotes
-
“brilliant, unsparing”
Source: NPR (review) (2014)
Trivia
- Known on Twitter as @theferocity.
- Grew up in Lewisville, Texas.
- Lives in Columbus, Ohio.
- Has received critical acclaim for both poetry and memoir.