Homegoing

by Toni Ann Johnson

Homegoing by Toni Ann Johnson follows a middle-aged African-American woman facing loss as she returns to her conservative white hometown. This fearless book tackles issues such as race, isolation, childhood trauma, abandonment and ultimately healing. Homegoing won the Accents Publishing Inaugural Novella Contest and we are proud to publish this brilliant work.What others say about Toni Ann Johnson has in Homegoing harnessed the unique power and grace of the novella. There's not a wasted word in this cinematically told, immediately engaging story, and yet the form affords her the length to develop characters whose deeply felt humanity makes them memorable.—Stuart Dybek, MacArthur Fellow and author of The Coast of Chicago, a New York Times Notable BookIn her novella Homegoing, Toni Ann Johnson examines issues of race, racism, forgiveness, and family. Her prose is luminous yet wickedly funny—an enviable combination—and her characters searingly flawed. Homegoing is that rare, wondrous literary it makes you laugh even as it breaks your heart.—Colette Sartor, author of Once Removed, winner of the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Toni Ann Johnson won the 2024 Screen Door Press Prize for Fiction with her linked collection, BUT WHERE'S HOME? (UPK 2026)

In 2021, she won the Flannery O'Connor Award for her linked short story collection LIGHT SKIN GONE TO WASTE(UGA Press 2022). The collection was shortlisted for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, and also shortlisted for the Saroyan Prize.

A novella, HOMEGOING, won Accents Publishing's inaugural novella contest in 2020 and was released in May of 2021.

Short fiction and essays have been published in The Emerson Review, Hunger Mountain, Fiction Magazine, Callaloo, The Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere.

A novel, Remedy For a Broken Angel, was published in 2014 and received a nomination for a 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work by a Debut Author.

Johnson is a screenwriter with a number of produced projects to her credit including, "Ruby Bridges" (ABC), "Crown Heights (Showtime), The Courage to Love (Lifetime) the TV pilot "Save The Last Dance" (Fox Television) and the feature film, "Step Up 2: The Streets" (Summit Entertainment). She won the 1998 Humanitas Prize and the 1998 Christopher Award for Ruby Bridges. In 2004 she won a second Humanitas Prize for Crown Heights. She is also the recipient of a fellowship to the Sundance Screenwriter's Lab.

Johnson has received support for her writing from Callaloo (Fellow 2016), The Prague Summer Program for Writers (Vaclav Havel scholarship, 2016) , One Story Summer Conference (2018) The Hurston Wright Foundation (Fellow, 2021), The Atlantic Center for the Arts (2023), Kimbilio (Fellow 2024), and The Community of Writers (2025).

Reviews

[Mariva Mshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homegoing is one of the best novellas I’ve read this year! It deals with racism in a gentle informative way and the dialogue is so rich!

[Kate Maruyama · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, satisfying read! Within the small space of a novella, Toni Ann Johnson brings characters to life, immerses you in heroine Maddie's worries, history, frustrations, and yearnings and takes you on a journey that will move you. The ending was both satisfying and tearful. Highly recommend this book, I ate it up (one sitting!) and couldn't stop thinking about it days after I read it. Maddie is a character who won't leave me, I hope to see more from her.

[Pamela Mshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homegoing illustrates how hurts of the past can so easily steer our present and future down miserable paths if not confronted. It's a serious truth told through the pure, innocent eyes of young Maddie. This story is a simple honesty that will challenge your perspectives if you are open. It touches your heart and your tickle bones. Well done Toni!

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In HOMEGOING, Toni Ann Johnson explores issues of race and racism, mother-daughter relationships, and the boundaries of forgiveness and love with honesty, tenderness, and humor. Her characters leap off the page and take residence in your head, urging you to revisit their world. I highly recommend this unputdownable novella.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed story of hope when we must return to the haunts and pains of our past. Maddie reminds us to keep moving forward.

[James Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homegoing is a cleverly told, relatable story. I’d recommend it to anyone who it at or has been at a point where things have come to a head in their life, and they wish to examine it.

[Shaily Yashar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am legitimately blown away by how gripping and well-written this story is. Johnson truly brings us into the mind of a person who is dealing with the ghosts of her past and hardships in her present. I just wanted to give the protagonist a hug and tell her it’ll be okay. Also, the DIALOGUE! So sharp, so clever, and every character’s voice stood out. This was a beautiful story and I am so excited to read more from Johnson in the future!

[Desiree Kannel · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening pages to the end, this novella was a powerful and moving read that made me cry, cringe, laugh, and scream in anger (mostly at the parents). At her low point, Maddie suffers the loss of her husband along with another tragedy and we soon learn that her narcissistic parents provide more harm than good. Issues of race, racism, and forgiveness all come to light and Johnson does an excellent job of portraying a complicated character who is trying to make peace with her past, while also navigating how to move forward.

[Peter Trivelas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an older white male, it was refreshing for me to read a story told from the life experiences of a younger black woman. Easy to read, relatable and fun. It's not a huge saga (it's a novella), it's a short tale, a slice of life. I felt to be walking side by side with the main character and that was an enriching way to spend some time.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella just under 100 pages, the author, Toni Ann Johnson does a great job in her smart writing. Homegoing is packed with story, well-drawn characters, lively dialogue, and it's engaging all the way through. I highly recommend this book for a summer read!

[Robert Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific novella. The 3rd Act is as good as it gets for a writer. Nicely done. I can see why it won a prize.

[Laura Sturza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely invested in Maddie's beautifully told story from the start, as the author introduced me to her in scene after scene that let me witness the heart-wrenching losses she suffered and continue to rise up to face what might be next for her. All of the characters are nuanced, and like any living, breathing person, have lovable and unlovable qualities. This is what makes me root for them. This is a richly drawn story of people who navigate historical racism on their own terms, speaking up when it serves them and choosing other methods to withstand it when being vocal won't advance their goals. What struck me most about the book was its almost cinematic quality - including strong dialogue, and scenes that made me feel as if I was right there with the characters. I was left wanting to know what became of these people and wishing the best for them.

[Zandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became enthralled with Maddie while reading Light Skin Gone to Waste and lamented that I wanted to read more about her. Thankfully Toni Ann Johnson replied to my review and let me know about this gem. This was a thoroughly enjoyable quick read that has me pondering how people process childhood trauma. You can let it go and try to move on, buts it’s always there because it helped to shape you into the person you are.

[Regina Brayboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Homegoing! This novella by Toni Ann Johnson packs a lot of punch and is a page turner. Johnson’s storytelling skills are superb as she weaves dialogue, scenes, and settings with a depth of emotion and intimacy. Homegoing reads like a memoir and one can only hope she shares more about these unforgettable characters.

[Aries Aster]

This isn't a book you read and then rate, forgetting it as soon as you see a shiny new cover. You sit and relish and take it slow as the story and characters sit on your heart, tugging on your heartstrings if they so wanted to. I have absolutely zero complaints and it would be five stars, if five stars encapsulated the story. But, like life, things aren't so cut and dry.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written novella. Carrying memories of her past childhood trauma, a recent miscarriage and a broken marriage, Maddie returns to her conservative mostly White hometown. This is a heartbreaking story about racism, bullying, loneliness, and the search for redemption.

[Emma Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very short but profound read. The book goes over so many deeply traumatic and devastating themes in a very small amount of time. The characters all feel very real and very human which I appreciated.

[Pamela Mshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome story and page turner!

[Debralyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny and wicked little book. It makes me cry and laugh at the same time. The dialogue is so good. I get caught up in all of the scenes that are happening.