About
Kathya Alexander is an author, playwright, storyteller, and teaching artist. In addition to several other awards, she was a Writer-in-Residence at the prestigous Hedgebrook Writer’s Retreat and won the Fringe First Award for her play, Black to My Roots: African American Tales from the Head and the Heart in Edinburgh, Scotland. Growing up in Arkansas in the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement greatly impacted her life and continues to influence her writing. Her debut novel Keep A’Livin’ was released in April 2024 by Aunt Lute Books.
Featured Work
KEEP A'LIVIN'
Kathya Alexander’s debut historical fiction novel-in-verse follows the fiercely passionate, dedicated, and cheeky Mandy as she comes of age during the height of the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. This beautifully lyrical novel explores the reality of activism as more than just a handful of speeches given at protests, the costs to those who dedicate themselves to activist work, and the passion that drives us ever onward to a better, more just future.
Other Works
Awards and Recognition
- Hope Corps Award; Hedgebrook Alumnae Playwrights Showcase; Tacoma Arts Live - Civil Rights Legacy Plays; City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation Postmark Programming Award; Recreation4All Award - The Write To Breathe Summer Youth Theater; Seattle Civic Poets Award; Poets & Writers Get The Word Out Debut Fiction Cohort; Jack Straw Artist Support Program Award; Fringe First Award
