Many people in the San Quentin writing community are familiar with East Oakland Times and its publisher, Tio MacDonald. Dime after dime goes to his Global Tel Link account to keep in tele-phone contact with the more than 120 people in his literary group of incarcerated people all over the state. A few months ago, I got my hands on one of his publications, Learning Curve, by Death Row inmate Johnny Duane Miles. The story was powerful, but it was the pref- ace really caught my attention. JH: In the Introduction of Learning Curve, you said … [Read more...] about East Oakland Times publisher Tio MacDonald
Book Review
Kevin D. Sawyer Honorary Award from PEN America
BOOK REVIEW San Quentin News staffer, Kevin D. Sawyer received an honorable mention by PEN America. Out of thousands of submission annually, it’s a big deal in the prison literary world. JH: What does getting an honorable mention by PEN America mean to you? KDS: PEN America’s honorable mention raises my creative writing profile to a national level, in addition to the same type of recognition I’ve received for writing as a journalist through the Society of Professional Journalists and receiving The James Aronson Award for Social … [Read more...] about Kevin D. Sawyer Honorary Award from PEN America
Scott J. Lawrie’s poetry was inspired by an ex-con poet
Scott Lawrie When the young Scottish lad Scott J. Lawrie was introduced to the country’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, it was the beginning of his fondness for poetry. His introduction to American poetry came through the Beat movement. However, his connection to San Quentin came through an obscure poet who did time here—the late Ed “Foots” Lipman. After Lawrie researched Lipman’s works, he published Only By Flashlight and sent a copy to Zoe Mullery, who holds a weekly creative writ- ing class at San Quentin. Only By Flashlight was … [Read more...] about Scott J. Lawrie’s poetry was inspired by an ex-con poet
Business guru John Hamm visits San Quentin’s The Last Mile
BOOK REVIEW When business guru John Hamm came to San Quentin in early January, it wasn’t his first time at this historic land- mark. Hamm is a huge fan of the entrepreneurial program, The Last Mile (TLM). He believes that it is one of the best chances for inmates to succeed, once paroled. Hamm was at San Quentin to lecture TLM students enrolled in its computer coding program, called Code 7370. He’s given the same lecture about staying focused and path-finding countless times to CEOs and other business executives. Hamm stood in … [Read more...] about Business guru John Hamm visits San Quentin’s The Last Mile
Writer draws inspiration from incarcerated pen pals
Take Two: A Collection of Short Stories (2018) If your writing is to be believed, experience is the best teacher. However, that’ll be a tragedy, if you’re writing about prisons. Nonetheless, C.P. Henderson, a retired federal employee, tells very interesting stories without the incarceration experience. What I’ve learned about Henderson is that she took an old fashion way to get information about fictional characters—she took pen to paper and became pen pals with some incarcerated people. She did a good job in the 11 short … [Read more...] about Writer draws inspiration from incarcerated pen pals
Videogame-based novel draws influences from real life
I recently walked into San Quentin’s library and noticed on a whiteboard a list of books. I asked the clerk, Kevin Rojano, “Which one of these would you want reviewed in our newspaper?” The bright-eyed 23-year-old recommended Halo. Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund (2001) is the first in an ongoing series of the videogame-based novels. It takes place in the 26th century. Humans have settled on planets throughout the galaxy. Aliens attack “Reach”—a first strike that jeopardizes all of humanity, including earth. Tasked with taking down … [Read more...] about Videogame-based novel draws influences from real life
Short story illuminates themes from two classic novels
I love short stories. The challenge of the short story writer is to be concise without being shallow. As such, the form requires that settings be suggested, characters be sketched and complexities be implied. A story I stumbled upon this month -- An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Pierce – does all of that but also, in a succinct way, illuminates and ties together the themes of two classic novels: The Red Badge of Courage (1895) and Johnny Got His Gun (1939). All three have war themes. Each exposes the inner thoughts of the main … [Read more...] about Short story illuminates themes from two classic novels
PEN America releases Issue: 21 Mythologies
No matter the restriction, the control mechanism or oppression, PEN America is a platform for authentic stories—voices that ring loud and free on the page. Jennifer Finney Boylan contributed to PEN’s latest publication Issue: 21 Mythologies, with Transfigured. It connects with incarcerated readers as she writes, “For a long time, I thought I didn’t exist...It was like walking on a long-deserted beach without any footprints.” Searching for identity is not limited to incarcerated people — agency is a normal, human want and need — it’s the … [Read more...] about PEN America releases Issue: 21 Mythologies
Formerly incarcerated author, Donna Hylton
Donna Hylton, who was abused as a child, spent 27 years in prison and wrote a book about how she turned her life around. She said her mission today is to be “a voice for the silenced” women still in prison. At age 20, Hylton was sentenced to 25 years to life for her role as a nonviolent accessory to kidnapping and second-degree murder. She is finally freed. Hylton’s childhood was a living hell. She was abandoned by her mother in Jamaica, N.Y., at age 8, according to the article by The Glow Up. At that time, she was subjected to … [Read more...] about Formerly incarcerated author, Donna Hylton
“The Force” by Don Winslow
In the wake of the public demanding more transparency in police departments, The Force is a novel with characters led by police officer Denny Malone, who easily relates to people who’ve had questionable encounters with the criminal justice system. For many behind bars, the concept of justice and fairness is jaded by life experiences: evidence-planting cops, greedy con artists posing as legitimate businessmen, unscrupulous lawyers, and corrupt judges. All of these are elements of this fast-paced story. Author Don Winslow’s ability to … [Read more...] about “The Force” by Don Winslow