Wanda Coleman

Wanda Coleman (birth name, Wanda Evans) (born November 13, 1946) is an American poet. She is known as "the L.A. Blueswoman," and "the unofficial poet laureate of Los Angeles."

Life
Coleman was born Wanda Evans, and grew up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles during the 1960s. She has received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, The NEA, and the California Arts Council (in fiction and in poetry). She was the first C.O.L.A. literary fellow (Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, 2003). Her many honors include an Emmy in Daytime Drama writing, The 1999 Lenore Marshall Prize (for "Bathwater Wine"), and a nomination for the 2001 National Book Awards (for "Mercurochrome"). She was a finalist for California poet laureate in 2005.

—While critically acclaimed for her creative writing, Coleman's greatest notoriety came as a result of an unfavorable review she wrote in the April 14, 2002 edition of The Los Angeles Times Book Review of Maya Angelou's book, A Song Flung Up to Heaven. Coleman found the book to be "small and inauthentic, without ideas, wisdom or vision". There was a huge outpouring, some positive and much negative, which resulted in Coleman's invitation to certain events being cancelled.

Her quotes
Like Wallace Stegner, I am in the 'universal' tradition of writers who concern themselves with The Truth—never mind that it is apt to hurt someone, in some way, most likely me. — From The Riot Inside Me: More Trials & Tremors

Publications

 * "Jazz and Twelve O'Clock Tales" Godine/Black Sparrow Books 2008.
 * "The Riot Inside Me: More Trials & Tremors" David R. Godine Publisher 2005.
 * "Wanda Coleman--Greatest Hits: 1966-2003" Pudding House Publications.
 * "Ostinato Vamps" Pitt Poetry Series, 2003-2004.
 * "Mercurochrome" Black Sparrow 2001, National Book Awards finalist.
 * "Mambo Hips and Make Believe: A Novel" Black Sparrow 1999.
 * "Bathwater Wine" Black Sparrow 1998.
 * "Native In a Strange Land: Trials & Tremors" Black Sparrow 1996.
 * "American Sonnets" Woodland Pattern 1994.
 * "Hand Dance" Black Sparrow 1993.
 * "African Sleeping Sickness: Stories & Poems Black Sparrow 1990.
 * "A War of Eyes and Other Stories" Black Sparrow 1988.
 * "Heavy Daughter Blues: Poems & Stories 1968-1986" Black Sparrow 1987.
 * "Imagoes" Black Sparrow 1983.
 * "Mad Dog Black Lady" Black Sparrow 1979.
 * "Good Dog" Black Sparrow 1979.