Picture a storyteller who breathes life into the forgotten corners of African American history—meet Dolen Perkins-Valdez! This New York Times bestselling author weaves historical fiction that’s as gripping as it is profound, shining a light on resilience, identity, and justice. From her debut novel Wench to the award-winning Take My Hand, Perkins-Valdez crafts stories that linger long after the final page.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Perkins-Valdez’s journey from a curious reader to a literary luminary is as inspiring as her novels. With a knack for uncovering hidden histories, she’s become a preeminent voice in historical fiction, earning accolades and a devoted readership. Let’s dive into her remarkable life and legacy!
The Making of Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s path to authorship began in Memphis, where her love for stories took root. She headed to Harvard University, double-majoring in African-American Studies and East Asian Studies, and honed her writing chops at The Harvard Crimson. After earning a PhD in English from George Washington University in 2002, with a dissertation on race and violence, she spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA. These experiences shaped her keen insight into history’s untold narratives, setting the stage for her literary career.
A self-described library enthusiast, Perkins-Valdez discovered her calling through avid reading. A chance encounter with a footnote in a W.E.B. Du Bois biography sparked her debut novel, proving that for her, inspiration is often just a page turn away. Her persistence through early rejections and MFA workshops fueled her growth, transforming her into the celebrated author we know today.
Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s Unforgettable Stories
Perkins-Valdez’s novels are masterclasses in historical fiction, blending lyrical prose with unflinching explorations of African American experiences. Her debut, Wench (2010), uncovers the lives of four enslaved women at an Ohio resort, grappling with love, bondage, and the dream of freedom. Praised by People as “a devastatingly beautiful account,” it earned NAACP Image Award nominations and a spot among HarperCollins’ prestigious Olive Titles.
In Balm (2015), Perkins-Valdez transports readers to post-Civil War Chicago, where three characters—a healer, a spiritualist, and a freedman—navigate loss and redemption. Her third novel, Take My Hand (2022), inspired by a 1973 forced sterilization case, follows a nurse in Alabama confronting systemic injustice. It clinched the 2023 NAACP Image Award and a Silver Gavel Award. Her latest, Happy Land (2025), explores a Black utopian community, showcasing her knack for illuminating overlooked histories.
Known for her spare yet compassionate voice, Perkins-Valdez tackles heavy themes with grace, making her work both accessible and profound. Her short fiction and essays, published in outlets like The Kenyon Review, further highlight her versatility.
Why Dolen Perkins-Valdez Matters
Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s impact extends beyond her page-turning novels. As Chair of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, she champions literature’s power to connect and educate, visiting D.C. high schools to inspire young readers and writers. At American University, where she’s an Associate Professor, she mentors aspiring authors, fostering diverse voices in literature.
Her work amplifies marginalized stories, sparking conversations about race, gender, and justice. By unearthing real-life events—like the Kingdom of the Happy Land or the Tuskegee experiment’s aftermath—she ensures history’s lessons resonate today. Her awards, including the First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, underscore her influence as a literary trailblazer.
About Dolen Perkins-Valdez
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
- Key Works: Wench (2010), Balm (2015), Take My Hand (2022), Happy Land (2025)
- Awards: 2023 NAACP Image Award, Silver Gavel Award, First Novelist Award
- Role: Chair of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation
Ready to lose yourself in a powerful story? Snag Take My Hand or Wench and dive into Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s unforgettable world of historical fiction!