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I’d like to propose a spanking new genre. The type of writing that gives a voice to the voiceless, while capturing the cruel beauty of the streets.

Thug lit.

It’s not something new really. We’ve had a wealth of African American, Caribbean and Latino literature over the past century. We had The Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao over a decade ago. But the verve and color of books like Dear Martin and The Hate U Give (THUG) are like nothing that have come before. Powered by the energy of activist movements striving to topple the injustice and systemic racism that America is built upon.

Queen of Corona is the story of a bunch of schoolkids in Queens who demonstrate the audacity to rise up against their school’s failing administration. You can just imagine what happens when the cops rush in. My heroine runs away, hobbled by the grief and trauma of the tragedy she feels is her fault.

This inevitably gives rise to the question…

Why are the underprivileged in America always blames for the injustices committes against them?

I want to share Roza’s story with the world. This weekend, I’m doing a giveaway on Goodreads. To enter, click on the photo above or search for the book via the Goodreads app.