Picture a Southern storyteller who weaves history, heart, and resilience into every page—meet Tara M. Stringfellow! A former attorney turned poet and novelist, Stringfellow burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel Memphis, a vibrant tale of Black women navigating love and loss across generations. Her work, rooted in her multicultural experiences and deep Southern heritage, captures the complexities of race, family, and identity with a lyrical grace that’s impossible to forget.
With a background that spans continents and careers, Stringfellow’s journey from law to literature is as compelling as her stories. Her writing, celebrated for its vivid characters and unflinching honesty, has made her a rising star in contemporary fiction. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this remarkable voice.
The Making of Tara M. Stringfellow
Born on a military base near Kansas City, Tara M. Stringfellow’s early life was shaped by movement. Her father’s service in the Marines took the family to Japan, and by age 10, they settled in Tennessee. A gifted student, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northwestern University, followed by a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. But the legal world couldn’t contain her creative spirit. After years as an attorney, Stringfellow pursued her true passion, earning an MFA in Creative Writing from Northwestern, where she became the first graduate in both poetry and prose.
Her global adventures—living in Okinawa, Ghana, Cuba, Spain, Italy, and Washington, D.C.—infused her work with a rich cultural tapestry. Teaching English in Spain and Memphis, she honed her voice, drawing inspiration from her family’s Civil Rights history and the vibrant soul of her hometown. This blend of personal and historical depth set the stage for her literary breakthrough.
Tara M. Stringfellow’s Unforgettable Stories
Stringfellow’s debut novel, Memphis (2022), is a multi-generational saga that traces three generations of a Southern Black family. Centered on Joan, a young girl escaping her father’s violence, the story weaves through decades, from World War II to the post-9/11 era. With a non-linear narrative and lush prose, Stringfellow explores themes of racism, resilience, and the enduring strength of Black women. The novel, a Read with Jenna pick and longlisted for the Women’s Prize in Fiction, won praise for its emotional depth and cinematic potential, earning a Book Pipeline Fiction Contest award.
Her poetry collection, More Than Dancing (2008), showcases her early voice, blending protest and lyricism. Poems published in journals like Collective Unrest and Apogee Journal tackle socio-political issues, earning her two Pushcart Prize nominations and a Best of the Net nod. Her second poetry collection, Magic Enuff (2024), celebrates Black femininity and survival with electrifying verse. Stringfellow’s cross-genre talent—melding poetry’s precision with prose’s sweep—creates stories that sing, mourn, and uplift.
Her style, often compared to Toni Morrison and Gloria Naylor, is both intimate and epic. She crafts characters who face hardship with grit and grace, set against the backdrop of Memphis’s complex racial history. Whether through a novel or a poem, Stringfellow’s work is a love letter to Black Southern women and their unyielding spirit.
Why Tara M. Stringfellow Matters
Tara M. Stringfellow’s impact lies in her ability to center Black women’s stories in a world that often overlooks them. Memphis is more than a novel—it’s a rebuttal to narratives that marginalize Black contributions to American history. By drawing on her family’s legacy, including her grandfather’s role as a pioneering Black detective, she reclaims space for Black joy and resilience. Her work resonates with readers, especially young Black women, who see their lives reflected in her pages.
Her growing influence—marked by awards, critical acclaim, and a dedicated readership—signals a bright future. Stringfellow’s commitment to art as activism, rooted in her protest poetry and teaching, continues to inspire. She’s a voice for the unheard, a storyteller who proves that Black Southern women have always made America great.
- Birthplace: Near Kansas City, USA
- Key Works: Memphis (2022), More Than Dancing (2008), Magic Enuff (2024)
- Awards: Book Pipeline Fiction Contest winner, two-time Pushcart Prize nominee
Snag Memphis or Magic Enuff and dive into Tara M. Stringfellow’s soulful blend of history and heart! Her stories will leave you moved, inspired, and hungry for more.