Tag: Light Skin Gone to Waste

  • Toni Ann Johnson, Chanticleer Award-Winning Author, Nominated for the Prestigious NAACP Awards, for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

    Discovering Today’s Best Books is Chanticleer’s Passion

    We LOVE to CROW ABOUT GOOD NEWS about our AUTHORS! 

    And we have great news to share about Chanticleer award-winning author Toni Ann Johnson! 

    Black and white photo of Toni Ann Johnson sitting on a wooden chair
    Toni Ann Johnson

    Toni Ann Johnson’s literary work, Light Skin Gone to Waste short story collection was one of five top nominations for the prestigious 54th NAACP OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORKS – Fiction. She is an author, screenwriter, actress, and writer of essays & articles long and short-form.

    Top Five Nominees for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction 54th NAACP Awards

    On February 25, 2023, NAACP announced the full list of the 54th NAACP Image Awards nominees. The two-hour show was televised live on BET  in front of an audience for the first time in three years due to the Covid pandemic. Queen Latifah hosted the event.

    Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows, the “54th NAACP Image Awards” will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose.

    “This year’s nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and diverse experiences that have resonated with many in our community, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding achievements and performances,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP.

    Image

     

    “We take pride in recognizing the trailblazing achievements and artistry of this year’s esteemed nominees and celebrating the powerful legacy of the NAACP,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET. “We look forward to bringing the Image Awards back to Pasadena in front of a live audience and delivering unforgettable moments that epitomize the brilliance of the Black community.”

    Light Skin Gone to Waste: Short Stories by Toni Ann Johnson

    Light Skin Gone to Waste: Short Stories Collection by Toni Ann Johnson

    Light Skin Gone to Waste also was awarded the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction.  The work was published by the University of Georgia Press in 2022.

    “Toni Ann Johnson’s Light Skin Gone to Waste is one of the most engrossing short story collections I’ve read in recent memory. These interconnected stories about a black family living in a predominantly white suburb of New York City are impeccably written, incisive, often infuriating and unforgettable. At the center of many of these stories is Philip Arrington, a psychologist who tries to reshape the world to his liking as he moves through it, regardless of the ways his actions affect the people in his intimate orbit. With a deft eye for detail, crisp writing, and an uncanny understanding of human frailties, Toni Ann Johnson has created an endlessly interesting American family portrait.”  Roxanne Gay, Flannery O’Connor Award

    Remedy for a Broken Angel  by Toni Ann Johnson was reviewed by Chanticleer in 2014. It was also nominated for the prestigious NAACP Outstanding Literary – Fiction award. Ms. Johnson contacted us then about the nomination. She redited Chanticleer’s review for its helpful role in getting the work noticed and nominated. We are proud and honored to play a small part in her nomination for this coveted award.

    Toni Ann Johnson the submitted Homegoing  into the 2021  Chanticleer Novella Book Awards division of the CIBAs. 

    The work was was awarded the SHORTS NOVELLA CIBA Grand Prize in 2021.

    Blue and Gold Grand Prize Badge for the Short Novella Homegoing by Toni Ann Johnston

    We are honored to play a small part of the discovery of Toni Ann Johnson’s stellar works.

    One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Wizkid, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, Jamie Foxx, Chloe x Halle, Regé-Jean Page, Daniel Kaluuya, Michaela Coel, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Blair Underwood, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Loni Love, Sheryl Underwood, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jill Scott, H.E.R., Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, the late Chadwick Boseman, and many more.

    Instagram:  @naacpimageawards
    Twitter: @naacpimageaward
    Facebook: /naacpimageaward

    Zendaya and Angela Bassett

    The Secret to Successful Publishing

    Get started today!

  • Chanticleerians in the News! Toni Ann Johnson Receives University of Georgia Press Award.

    Chanticleerians in the News! Toni Ann Johnson Receives University of Georgia Press Award.

    When your mission is to Discover Today’s Best Books, you often get to hear wonderful news about authors you love and support!

    Black and white photo of Toni Ann Johnson sitting on a wooden chair

    …and we have great news about Toni Ann Johnson!

    Today we wanted to honor and recognize Toni Ann Johnson, actress and novelist, for receiving the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, University of Georgia Press.

    You can read the full article announcing her win here, though we love what Roxane Gay has said about it:

    “Toni Ann Johnson’s Light Skin Gone to Waste is one of the most engrossing short story collections I’ve read in recent memory. These interconnected stories about a black family living in a predominantly white suburb of New York City are impeccably written, incisive, often infuriating and unforgettable. At the center of many of these stories is Philip Arrington, a psychologist who tries to reshape the world to his liking as he moves through it, regardless of the ways his actions affect the people in his intimate orbit. With a deft eye for detail, crisp writing, and an uncanny understanding of human frailties, Toni Ann Johnson has created an endlessly interesting American family portrait.”

    Johnson’s book Remedy for a Broken Angel, received a 5-star book review from Chanticleer in 2014, and then went on to be nominated for the NAACP Awards.  

    Ms. Johnson recently contacted us (2015) about the nomination and credited Chanticleer’s review for its helpful role in getting the work noticed and nominated. We are proud and honored to play a small part in her nomination for this coveted award.

    Here’s what Chanticleer had to say about Johnson’s book:

    Remedy for a Broken Angel by Toni Ann Johnson is an intense examination of the troubled personal histories of two beautiful and talented women of color.

    Their stories are told in alternating chapters which reveal the mother’s and her daughter’s attempts to reclaim and understand their broken pasts. Each chapter is a revelation into the pain and damage caused by unknown family secrets. Both women struggle with a legacy of shame and self-blame for the price they’re paying for never hearing the truth. Each must learn the lessons found in past years of failure to communicate.

    Read more here!


    Thank you for reading this Chanticleer Spotlight Article on Toni Ann Johnson.

    Johnson has submitted work to the 2021 Shorts Awards, which you can still submit to by the end of the year – the competition will be steep!

     

    Have a Book that deserves to be discovered? See our 24 Chanticleer Intl’l Book Awards Divisions here and Editorial Book Reviews here!

    The 2020 Overall Grand Prize Winner was Rebecca Dwight Bruff for her book Trouble the Water

    The 202 Best Book Grand Prize Badge for Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff

    When you’re ready, did you know that Chanticleer offers editorial services? We do and have been doing so since 2011.

    Our professional editors are top-notch and are experts in the Chicago Manual of Style. They have and are working for the top publishing houses (TOR, McMillian, Thomas Mercer, Penguin Random House, Simon Schuster, etc.).

    If you would like more information, we invite you to email Kiffer or Sharon at KBrown@ChantiReviews.com or SAnderson@ChantiReviews.com for more information, testimonials, and fees.

    We work with a small number of exclusive clients who want to collaborate with our team of top-editors on an on-going basis. Contact us today!

    Chanticleer Editorial Services also offers writing craft sessions and masterclasses. Sign up to find out where, when, and how sessions being held.

    A great way to get started is with our manuscript evaluation service, with more information available here.

    And we do editorial consultations for $75. Learn more here.  

    Our 10th Anniversary Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22) will be June 23-26, 2022, where our 2021 CIBA winners will be announced. Space is limited and seats are already filling up, so sign up today!  CAC22 and the CIBA Ceremonies will be hosted at the Hotel Bellwether in Beautiful Bellingham, Wash. Sign up and see the latest updates here!