New Books Network Constance Bailey, "Conversations with Kiese Laymon" (UP of Mississippi, 2025)
Sep 24, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Constance Bailey, an Assistant Professor of African American Literature, and Kiese Laymon, an acclaimed author known for works like Heavy, dive deep into the editorial journey behind 'Conversations with Kiese Laymon.' Constance reveals how her Mississippi roots influenced her connection to Laymon’s narratives. They explore the curation process of interviews, highlighting Laymon’s perspectives on revision, Black masculinity, and his literary influences. The duo also reflects on the identity and audience of the collection, emphasizing its accessibility and significance.
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Conversations Series Purpose
- The University Press of Mississippi Conversations series packages interviews as accessible introductions to writers.
- Constance pitched a volume on Kiese to capture his voice while he was active and reachable.
How Their Relationship Began
- Constance recounts first connecting with Kiese by inviting him to Skype into her class when she taught Long Division.
- They later met in person when she brought him to a university speaker series once she had a budget.
Publish While Interest Peaks
- When assembling interview collections, prioritize accessible, shorter pieces to serve students and early readers.
- Strike while interest is high and plan future editions rather than delaying for completeness.
