Biography of Jewelle Gomez

Jewelle Gomez is the author of seven books including the double Lambda Literary Award-winning novel, THE GILDA STORIES (Firebrand Books). Her essays, poetry and fiction have appeared in over 100 anthologies and she's written for the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Village Voice, Black Scholar, The Advocate and MS Magazine. Her first play, "Bones & Ash," was commissioned by the Urban Bush Woman Dance Company (NYC) and is based on her novel. It was performed at 13 US venues including Jacob's Pillow, The Walker Art Center and the Joyce Theatre. Originally from Boston, MA, she is Cape Verdean, Wampanoag and Ioway. She lived in New York City for 20 years and was a member of the Frank Silvera Playwrights Workshop and the American Theater Experiment. She also worked in the theatre production at a number of Off and Off Off Broadway houses such as American Place Theatre, Perry Street Theatre and Henry Street Settlement. She's taught creative writing (including playwriting, poetry and fiction) at several educational institutions including San Francisco State University and Hunter College.