Picture a Detroit-born storyteller weaving tales that pulse with the heart of Black girlhood—meet Kai Harris! With her debut novel, What the Fireflies Knew, Harris has captivated readers, blending raw emotion with lyrical prose. As a writer and Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Santa Clara University, she’s a rising star illuminating themes of race, identity, and resilience in contemporary fiction.
From her Michigan roots to her academic journey, Harris’s work is a love letter to the Black experience, crafted with authenticity and grace. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life, stories, and impact of this remarkable author.
The Making of Kai Harris
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Kai Harris grew up surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city and the quiet magic of summers spent in Lansing with her grandfather. These childhood moments, filled with catching fireflies and soaking in family stories, would later inspire her writing. A voracious reader, Harris adored coming-of-age tales like Anne of Green Gables and found a literary hero in Maya Angelou, whose poetry sparked her creative fire.
Harris’s path to authorship was paved with determination. She earned a B.A., an M.A. in English from Belmont University, and a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University, where she honed her craft and won the Gwen Frostic Creative Writing Award for her short story, “While We Live.” Her academic journey wasn’t just about degrees—it was about finding her voice as a storyteller who could uplift Black narratives.
Kai Harris’s Unforgettable Stories
Harris’s debut novel, What the Fireflies Knew (2022), is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful coming-of-age story. Set in 1995 Michigan, it follows 10-year-old Kenyatta “KB” Bernice as she navigates grief, family secrets, and Black girlhood after her father’s overdose and her mother’s disappearance. Critics, including BookPage, praise its “elegant and eloquent” prose, comparing it to Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. The novel, published by Tiny Reparations Books, won the 2023 Phillis Wheatley Book Award and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
Her upcoming novel, Any Other Place (set for 2026), promises to delve into the Black Lives Matter movement through the eyes of a Black high school student witnessing injustice. Harris’s style is immersive, blending vivid settings with authentic voices. Her work spans fiction, poetry, and essays, often exploring Black girlhood, womanhood, and mental health, with pieces published in Guernica, Kweli Journal, and Lit Hub.
Whether crafting novels or academic articles, Harris writes with a deep commitment to truth. Her stories don’t shy away from trauma but always leave room for hope, making her a standout in contemporary African Diaspora literature.
Why Kai Harris Matters
Kai Harris is more than an author—she’s a cultural force. Her work challenges the literary world’s tendency to sideline Black girl stories, proving they’re not just enough but essential. By centering Black experiences, she inspires readers and writers to embrace authentic narratives. Her teaching at Santa Clara University shapes the next generation of storytellers, emphasizing trauma-aware self-care and social justice.
Harris’s impact extends beyond the page. Her novel’s accolades, from a Marie Claire Book Club pick to a Center for Fiction First Novel Prize longlist, highlight her growing influence. She’s a beacon for those seeking stories that resonate with both heart and history.
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Key Work: What the Fireflies Knew (2022)
- Upcoming: Any Other Place (2026)
- Awards: 2023 Phillis Wheatley Book Award, NAACP Image Award nominee
- Fun Fact: Harris lives in the Bay Area with her husband, three daughters, and dog, Tabasco!
Snag What the Fireflies Knew and dive into Kai Harris’s luminous world of Black girlhood and resilience!