Picture a Southern storyteller who weaves small-town secrets into unforgettable tales—meet De’Shawn Charles Winslow! Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this rising star in contemporary fiction has captured hearts with his vivid narratives and authentic characters. His debut novel, In West Mills, a multigenerational saga, earned critical acclaim, marking Winslow as a bold new voice in American literature.
With a knack for exploring the complexities of rural African American life, Winslow’s stories resonate with warmth, wit, and truth. His fictional town of West Mills feels so real you’ll swear you’ve walked its dusty roads. Let’s dive into the life, works, and impact of this literary gem!
The Making of De’Shawn Charles Winslow
Growing up in the tight-knit community of Elizabeth City, Winslow was surrounded by the rich oral traditions of the South. His childhood in a small, segregated town shaped his storytelling, infusing it with the rhythms of Southern speech and the weight of unspoken histories. A self-described non-bookish kid, he discovered Toni Morrison’s Beloved in college, sparking a passion for writing that led him to earn a BFA in creative writing and an MA in English literature from Brooklyn College.
Winslow honed his craft at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, graduating in 2017. Inspired by real-life figures like his great-uncle’s girlfriend, nicknamed “Knot,” he began crafting stories that blend personal memory with fictional flair. His rural upbringing and experiences as a gay Black man in the South add depth to his narratives, making them both universal and deeply personal.
De’Shawn Charles Winslow’s Unforgettable Stories
Winslow’s debut, In West Mills (2019), is a multigenerational masterpiece set in a fictional North Carolina town. Centered on Azalea “Knot” Centre, a defiant, moonshine-loving antiheroine, the novel spans the 1940s to 1980s, exploring family, friendship, and rebellion against societal norms. Critics raved, with The New York Times praising its “uncanny authority” and the novel clinching the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and an American Book Award.
In 2023, Winslow returned to West Mills with Decent People, a gripping murder mystery set in 1976. When three siblings are found dead, retiree Josephine Wright turns amateur sleuth, uncovering secrets of race, class, and homophobia. The Washington Post called it a “savvy examination of race and class,” noting Winslow’s subversion of mystery tropes with a 60-year-old Black woman detective. His prose, spare yet poetic, channels Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison, while his dialogue crackles with authenticity.
Winslow’s style is a blend of compassion and precision, creating characters who feel like neighbors you’ve known forever. His themes—community, identity, and the slow grind of social change—resonate deeply, offering a window into the African American South. With only two novels, he’s already built a world as vivid as Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County.
Why De’Shawn Charles Winslow Matters
Winslow’s work shines a light on the African American South, capturing its beauty and burdens with unflinching honesty. His stories challenge stereotypes, giving voice to complex, flawed characters who defy convention. By tackling issues like racism, homophobia, and class divides, he invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths while celebrating the resilience of community.
His impact extends beyond the page. As a gay Black author from a rural background, Winslow brings a fresh perspective to contemporary fiction, earning accolades like the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction. His ability to craft intimate, universal stories ensures his place as a vital voice in American letters, with fans eagerly awaiting his next West Mills tale.
- Born: Elizabeth City, North Carolina
- Key Works: In West Mills (2019), Decent People (2023)
- Awards: Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, American Book Award, Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction
- Education: BFA and MA from Brooklyn College, Iowa Writers’ Workshop (2017)
Snag In West Mills or Decent People and dive into De’Shawn Charles Winslow’s soulful Southern world! You’ll laugh, cry, and maybe even crave some moonshine.