Picture a Memphis-born storyteller who spun tales of love, betrayal, and gritty urban life—meet Eric Jerome Dickey! With a knack for crafting vivid characters and steamy, suspenseful plots, Dickey became a literary star, captivating readers with his bestselling novels. From software developer to New York Times bestseller, his journey is as thrilling as the stories he told.
The Making of Eric Jerome Dickey
Born on July 7, 1961, in Memphis, Tennessee, Eric Jerome Dickey initially set his sights on a tech career. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer System Technology from the University of Memphis in 1983 and moved to Los Angeles to work as a software developer in the aerospace industry. But the creative bug bit hard. Inspired by acting classes and stand-up comedy gigs, Dickey discovered his passion for storytelling, trading code for captivating narratives.
Eric Jerome Dickey’s Unforgettable Stories
Dickey’s novels blend romance, drama, and crime, often centered on African-American life. His debut, Sister, Sister (1996), follows the tangled lives of middle-class Black women, earning praise for its humor and heart. Friends and Lovers (1997) dives into the complexities of relationships, while Milk in My Coffee (1998) explores interracial romance with bold flair. His Gideon series, starting with Sleeping with Strangers (2007), takes readers on a global thrill ride with an assassin protagonist, showcasing his knack for diverse settings from Los Angeles to the Caribbean.
Known for his conversational style and sultry characters, Dickey’s work feels like a Prince song on paper, as one reviewer noted. He didn’t plan endings, letting his characters lead the way, which gave his stories an authentic, unpredictable edge. With 29 novels and a graphic novel, Storm, reimagining the X-Men’s Ororo Munroe and Black Panther’s T’Challa, Dickey’s versatility shone bright.
Why Eric Jerome Dickey Matters
Dickey’s impact on African-American literature is undeniable. His novels, selling over 7 million copies worldwide, shattered stereotypes, offering nuanced portrayals of Black life, love, and identity. Titles like Sister, Sister were named among Essence’s “50 Most Impactful Black Books,” and his 2014 novel, A Wanted Woman, won an NAACP Image Award. Dickey’s stories gave readers, especially Black women, insights into autonomy and pleasure, as noted by fans and critics alike. His final novel, The Son of Mr. Suleman (2021), released posthumously, tackled racism and family legacies, cementing his legacy as a fearless storyteller.
- Born: July 7, 1961, Memphis, Tennessee
- Key Works: Sister, Sister, Friends and Lovers, Milk in My Coffee, Gideon series
- Awards: NAACP Image Award (2014), R.E.A.D. Award (2013)
- Died: January 3, 2021, from cancer
Snag Sister, Sister or dive into the Gideon series for a taste of Dickey’s electrifying world of romance and intrigue!