Diamond Forde Reveals "Book of Alice" Genesis
Award-winning poet Diamond Forde discussed the creative process behind "The Book of Alice," exploring themes of womanhood, survival, and transformation. The collection draws from personal experience and literary tradition. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for new releases from Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, with 114 views tracking upcoming fantasy releases.
"The Book of Alice" is Diamond Forde's second poetry collection, following her award-winning 2021 debut, "Mother Body." The new work, which won the Academy of American Poets' 2025 James Laughlin Award, centers on the life of Forde's grandmother, Alice, a Black woman who was part of the Great Migration from the Jim Crow South to New York City. The collection's narrative framework is inspired by a well-worn King James Bible Forde inherited from her grandmother. Forde uses its structure and language to explore Alice's life and legacy, viewing the Bible as the only poetry her grandmother knew and loved. Forde incorporates unconventional forms into the collection, such as recipes, a family tree, and a U.S. Census Report alongside imagined psalms. These elements serve to build a fuller picture of Black life while examining the tensions within faith and biblical narratives, particularly the often-overlooked roles of women. Meanwhile, fantasy author Sarah J. Maas has announced two new books in her massively popular "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series, breaking a five-year wait for fans. The sixth installment is set for release on October 27, 2026, with the seventh following closely on January 12, 2027. Leigh Bardugo is also set to release new work. Fans of her Grishaverse can anticipate "A Darker Shore: Letters from Ketterdam," a *Six of Crows* novella, on June 30. Additionally, "Dead Beat," the third book in her Alex Stern series that began with *Ninth House*, is expected in September.
