Picture a Virginia art teacher turned literary star, weaving tales that tackle race, history, and home with unflinching grace—meet Jocelyn Nicole Johnson! Her debut, My Monticello, a collection of stories and a novella, burst onto the scene in 2021, earning a Netflix deal and a slew of awards. With a voice that’s both tender and bold, Johnson’s work captures the heart of Charlottesville’s complex past and present, inviting readers to rethink what belonging truly means.
The Making of Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
Born and raised in Reston, Virginia, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson grew up with a passion for storytelling, attending the Young Writer’s Workshop at the University of Virginia as a high schooler. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Fine Art and Education from James Madison University, which led her to a 20-year career teaching visual arts to elementary students in Virginia’s public schools. Her time in the classroom, cheering on young creatives, shaped her belief in the power of authentic voices—a theme that echoes in her writing. Workshops at places like Tin House and Hedgebrook honed her craft, setting the stage for her literary leap.
Jocelyn Nicole Johnson’s Unforgettable Stories
Johnson’s debut, My Monticello, is a masterful blend of five short stories and a titular novella, set in and around Charlottesville. The novella follows Da’Naisha Love, a young Black woman and descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, as she leads neighbors to refuge at Monticello amid a white supremacist uprising. Inspired by the 2017 Unite the Right rally, it weaves racial and environmental anxieties into a gripping narrative. Her short story “Control Negro,” anthologized in Best American Short Stories 2018, explores a professor’s chilling experiment on race, earning praise from Roxane Gay as “one hell of a story.” Johnson’s style is precise yet lyrical, blending raw emotion with sharp social commentary. Her stories, often rooted in Virginia’s history, tackle identity, community, and resilience with a clarity that resonates deeply.
Other works, like pieces in Guernica and The Guardian, showcase her range, from microfiction to essays. Her ability to distill complex themes into vivid, human stories has drawn comparisons to Toni Morrison and Colson Whitehead, cementing her as a vital new voice in American fiction.
Why Jocelyn Nicole Johnson Matters
Jocelyn Nicole Johnson’s work doesn’t just entertain—it challenges. By centering Black and brown voices in stories that confront America’s troubled history, she sparks conversations about race, heritage, and hope. Her debut’s accolades, including the Lillian Smith Book Award and a Kirkus Prize finalist nod, reflect her impact. At 50, her “literary debutante” status inspires late bloomers, proving it’s never too late to tell your story. With My Monticello headed to Netflix, her reach is growing, inviting global audiences to grapple with the legacies she so vividly portrays.
About Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
- Born in Reston, Virginia
- Key Work: My Monticello (2021)
- Awards: Lillian Smith Book Award, Weatherford Award, Library of Virginia Fiction Award
- Fun Fact: Taught elementary art for 20 years before her literary debut
Snag My Monticello and dive into Jocelyn Nicole Johnson’s bold, beautiful world of stories that linger long after the last page!