Fathering Words: The Making of an African American Writer

by E. Ethelbert Miller

With ample insight, candor, and lyricism, poet, scholar, editor, and anthologist E. Ethelbert Miller reflects in these pages on his childhood in the South Bronx, his college days at Howard University, and his ongoing development as a husband, father, poet, and African American author. Fathering Words explores how Miller's family and friends shaped his life—in particular, his father Egberto, who came to the U.S. from Panama, and his older brother Richard, who became a monk and died young. With straightforward honesty punctuated by humor and warmth, the quietly pensive Miller offers a memoir of individual as well as universal truth—an original yet familiar story of fathers and sons, families and responsibilities, artistry and awareness.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Devin Vanderpool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilled to call him my professor. Thankful that he shares his wisdom.

[Naomi Ayala · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much of this was moving and so insightful. Wish I could read about the personal histories of all my close friends.

[Katie Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read as context for some of his poetry, which had been gifted to me and which I loved (baseball poetry, and excellent) Thumbs up to the very successful without my review, EEMiller 👍

[Daniel Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful memoir. Every few pages there was a line that took my breath away.

[James Klagge · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would an autobiography be like that was written before age 50, by a poet? Something like this. It has some literary aspects along with the more chronological ones. It has inserted passages from his sister, but seemingly written by the author. It struggles with the author's unsatisfying relationships with his father and his brother. It includes some things about Blackness. It is followed by a second volume written 10 years later--at age 60 (my own age). So I am hoping for something more fulfilling with the continuation.

[Topher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thoughtful retrospective on what it means to be a son and a father...in addition to an insiders guide to the poetry scene in DC from 1970 on. Mr. Miller is an icon and this memoir is a testament to his power as a writer and his sensitivity as a soulful thinker. I hope to teach this book next year to my AP Language and Composition class. There is much there there.

[Joanna Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir to savour, full of lyricism and thoughtfulness on being an African American writer, a father and a brother. It's also an interesting and informative read for anyone interested in the world of publishing and writing. E Ethelbert Miller is a writer to treasure.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Now I want to read his poetry.