American Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 45 (2024) Winner
Valerie Wilson Wesley
ヴァレリー・ウィルソン・ウェズリー
Valerie Wilson Wesley
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1947-11-22
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Ashford, Connecticut, USA → East Orange, New Jersey, USA → Montclair, New Jersey, USA
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Editor
- Active Years
- 1970-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard University | — | — | — | — | United States |
| Bank Street College of Education | — | — | MA | — | United States |
| Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism | — | Journalism | MA | — | United States |
Howard University
Country:
United States
Undergraduate studies completed
Bank Street College of Education
Degree:
MA
Country:
United States
Master's degree (education-related)
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Journalism
Degree:
MA
Country:
United States
Master's degree in Journalism
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Griot Award | — | — | New York Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists | Winner |
| 1995 | Shamus Award | When Death Comes Stealing | Best First P.I. Novel | Private Investigators (Shamus Award organization) | Nominee |
| 2000 | Excellence in Adult Fiction (Black Caucus) | — | — | Black Caucus of the American Library Association | Winner |
Griot Award
1993
Organization:
New York Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists
Result:
Winner
Shamus Award
1995
Work:
When Death Comes Stealing
Category:
Best First P.I. Novel
Organization:
Private Investigators (Shamus Award organization)
Result:
Nominee
Excellence in Adult Fiction (Black Caucus)
2000
Organization:
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
When Death Comes Stealing
1994 MysteryThe first in the Tamara Hayle series featuring a private investigator solving a murder in Newark.
urban crimeinterpersonal relationshipsrace and society
Devil's Gonna Get Him
1996 MysteryAnother Tamara Hayle mystery where danger and hidden pasts intersect.
shadows of the pastjustice
No Hiding Place
1997 MysteryA Tamara Hayle installment following the uncovering of hidden truths.
secretsinvestigation
Dying in the Dark
2004 MysteryA series entry that explores a crime hidden in darkness and personal conflicts.
fearpersonal conflict
Playing My Mother's Blues
2005 Literary fictionA novel about family, legacy, and personal memory.
familymemoryidentity
Bibliography
- Afro-Bets Book of Black Heroes from A to Z: An introduction to important Black achievers for young readers
- When Death Comes Stealing
- Devil's Gonna Get Him
- Where Evil Sleeps
- Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth story
- No Hiding Place
- Easier to Kill
- Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do
- The Devil Riding
- Always True to You in My Fashion
- How to Lose Your Class Pet
- Dying in the Dark: A Tamara Hayle mystery
- How to Fish for Trouble
- How to Lose Your Cookie Money
- 23 Ways to Mess up Valentine's Day
- How to (almost) Ruin Your School Play
- Playing My Mother's Blues
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- conversational, accessible proserealist-based descriptions
- Recurring Motifs
- Newark and New Jersey urban settingsfamily and communityrace and social issues
Legacy
Valerie Wilson Wesley is an American author known for the Tamara Hayle mystery series, children's books, and her former role as an executive editor at Essence. Her work, often addressing urban realities and aspects of Black life, has been recognized by readers and critics.
Academic Societies
- National Association of Black Journalists (NY Chapter)
Trivia
- Known as the author of the Tamara Hayle series.
- Former executive editor of Essence magazine.
- Married to playwright Richard Wesley and has two daughters.
- Grew up in Ashford, Connecticut; currently resides in Montclair, New Jersey.