Picture a globe-trotting storyteller who weaves magic and music into the vibrant streets of New Orleans—meet Alex Jennings! Born in Germany and shaped by a childhood across Botswana, Tunisia, Suriname, and the United States, Jennings brings a kaleidoscope of cultures to his genre-blending tales. His breakout novel, The Ballad of Perilous Graves, has enchanted readers with its lyrical prose and love letter to NOLA’s soul.
With a knack for transforming the everyday into the extraordinary, Jennings’s stories pulse with jazz, hoodoo, and the resilience of community. His unique voice in contemporary fantasy challenges norms, celebrating diversity and the power of art. Ready to dive into his world? Let’s explore the life and works of this New Orleans-based author!
The Making of Alex Jennings
Born in 1979 on Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany, Alex Jennings grew up in a whirlwind of cultures, from Gaborone’s dusty streets to Tunis’s bustling markets. This nomadic childhood fueled his imagination, blending global myths with pop culture influences like comics, music, and film. A self-professed pop culture devourer, Jennings honed his craft as a writer, editor, teacher, and poet, eventually settling in New Orleans’s Central City with his beloved dog, Karate Valentino.
His writing journey began with poetry and short stories, but it was his deep connection to New Orleans—its rhythms, history, and magic—that inspired his debut novel. Influenced by the city’s post-Katrina resilience and vibrant multiculturalism, Jennings found his voice in urban fantasy, where music and art become literal forces of power.
Alex Jennings’s Unforgettable Stories
Jennings’s debut, The Ballad of Perilous Graves (2022), is a phantasmagoric adventure set in a fantastical New Orleans called Nola, where music is magic and the city’s soul hangs in the balance. Child mages Perry, Brendy, and Peaches battle to save nine escaped songs that keep Nola humming, facing zombie cabbies, sentient blues, and the villainous Stagger Lee. Critics, including Walter Mosley, praised its electrifying prose and cultural depth, calling it a “cosmic storm of talent.”
His short story collection, Here I Come and Other Stories, showcases his versatility, blending speculative fiction with themes of identity and belonging. Another work, Maggie Doll, explores quirky, magical narratives, though less widely reviewed. Jennings’s style is lyrical and immersive, weaving jazzpunk influences, hoodoo folklore, and vibrant characters into tales that feel like a Mardi Gras parade—colorful, chaotic, and unforgettable.
His narratives often tackle heavy themes—community, trauma, and cultural fusion—with a light, hopeful touch. By centering Black and queer perspectives, Jennings reimagines fantasy tropes, making his work a beacon for diverse voices in speculative fiction.
Why Alex Jennings Matters
Alex Jennings’s impact lies in his ability to make New Orleans a living, breathing character in his stories. His work captures the city’s post-Katrina spirit, blending its pain with its unrelenting joy. By infusing fantasy with Black cultural narratives and global influences, he’s carving a space for underrepresented voices in urban fantasy, inspiring readers and writers alike.
His debut’s critical acclaim, landing on 2022’s best fantasy lists by the New York Times and Oprah Daily, signals a rising star. Jennings’s stories remind us that art and music can heal, connect, and defy destruction, making him a vital voice in contemporary literature.
About Alex Jennings
- Born: 1979, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Key Works: The Ballad of Perilous Graves, Here I Come and Other Stories, Maggie Doll
- Residence: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Influences: Jazz, comics, global mythology, New Orleans culture
Snag The Ballad of Perilous Graves and dive into Alex Jennings’s magical, music-filled world—your imagination will thank you!