Black History Month, Responsibility, and Writing

Hi there,

Since February is Black History Month in the U.S., I wanted to talk about one specific part of writing the AHGWR Cycle. I’m saying this respectfully and plainly, without pretending I’m any kind of expert. The experiences of Black Americans—and people of color more broadly—aren’t something I ever want to use as an aesthetic, backdrop, or “vibe” in my work.

So let’s just get the obvious out of the way: I’m a white woman who grew up in the South and writes gothic fiction set in the same region, with characters who are people of color. One of my central characters, Margot Ranier, is a Creole woman. I did grow up around people from different ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, and that gave me perspective—but it will never be the same as lived experience. It doesn’t make me an authority; it means I need to be careful and do the hard work.

The biggest non-negotiable in that is research—over and over again. And just because something is “factually accurate” doesn’t automatically mean it comes across the way you intended it to. Without humility and specificity, you can still miss the mark. Shit—I have a grad degree and I’m currently pursuing my Ph.D. in psychology, and my desktop was still full of scholarly articles while I was writing. I didn’t want to get anything wrong.

I also try to stay honest about this: even with all that effort, something still might not land the way I intended—especially for readers who live closer to the culture than I do. Not because I can’t take criticism, but because I never want to be careless or reduce a culture that isn’t mine into something unrealistic or stereotyped. If something rubs someone the wrong way, I’m not here to argue them out of it. I’d rather listen, learn, and revise.

At the end of the day, I want to understand people—and the experiences that shaped them—as honestly as I can. So, as always, I welcome feedback from readers when it comes to authenticity in my writing—this is no different. If there’s something I should know (good or bad), please reach out via the contact form or email me directly at alexandria@amvankova.com.

Much love,

AMV