Dear Reader,
I’m honored to say that my short story “The Procession” has been published online in Five on the Fifth Magazine. Themes of race, beauty, and community all intertwine in a coming-of-age narrative taking place in rural Virginia. The idea came from an old family story that my grandma told me years ago.
I first wrote this story two years ago for a writing workshop at CUNY Graduate Center under Andre Aciman. After several revisions, I began submitting to literary journals across the country looking for a proper home. It was a difficult process at times as I feared I would never find a magazine with the right audience.
Hair has long been a topic of contention for Black women. Having “good hair” meant having a look that was white, euro-centric and this qualification damaged the relationship many women had with themselves. This story is about breaking away from those societal standards which hold us back from being who we truly are.
Click on this link and let me know what you think of the piece. Feel free to share with your friends or family who might be interested in reading.
To many more,
S.E. Dillard
Great Story!