D. Watkins

D. Watkins (born Dwight Watkins; February 10, 1980) is an author and professor at The University of Baltimore.[1]

For other people named D. Watkins, see Watkins (surname).
D. Watkins
Watkins doing a live reading in Baltimore, October 2019
Born (1980-02-10) February 10, 1980
Baltimore, Maryland
EducationJohns Hopkins University (M.Ed)
University of Baltimore (MFA)
Notable works
  • The Beastside: Living (and Dying) While Black in America (2015)
  • The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir (2016)
  • We Speak For Ourselves (2019)
SpouseCaron Brace

Life

Watkins is a College Professor at the University of Baltimore[2] and New York Times bestselling[3] author from East Baltimore.[4][5] At eighteen, after losing his brother, Watkins began to use and sell narcotics. After a handful of "fateful encounters" he used his illicit profits to buy a bar.[6] He married lawyer Caron Brace in August 2019.[7]

Education

He holds a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University, and an MFA in creative writing from University of Baltimore.[8]

Career

The Beastside: Living (and Dying) While Black in America

Watkins first book, The Beastside: Living (and Dying) While Black in America was published in 2015 under David Talbot and Skyhorse Publishing's investigative book imprint, Hot Books.[9] The Beast Side tells a tale of two Baltimores, taking an in-depth look at systemic racism and the failure of the education system, particularly for black men. In 2016, The Beast Side: Living (and Dying) While black in America was a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award nominee. [10][11][12][13]

The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir

The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir published in 2016 by Grand Central Publishing, is a memoir that details the operations of a drug empire following Watkins' brother Bip's death, his acceptance to Georgetown University and the struggle to leave the trade behind. It was named as an editor's pick by The New York Times in May 2016.[14][15][6][16] Kirkus Reviews described the book as "A familiar story to fans of The Wire, but Watkins provides a gritty, vivid first-person document of a desperate demographic." In 2017, The Cook Up was a Books for a Better Life Award Finalists.[17][18][19]

We Speak For Ourselves

We Speak For Ourselves is Watkins' third book, published in April 2019 by Atria is a collection of essays showcasing black voices in east Baltimore.[20][21][22] We Speak For Ourselves was the 2020 selection for the Enoch Pratt Free Library "One Book Baltimore"[23]

Salon

Watkins is currently an editor at large for the online magazine, Salon.[24][25]

References
  1. Watkins, D (2015). The Beastside: Living (and Dying) While Black in America. New York, NY: Hot Books. ISBN 1510703357.
  2. "D. Watkins". www.ubalt.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  3. "Crime and Punishment Books - Best Sellers - July 10, 2016 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  4. Story by John Blake, CNN Video by Meridith Edwards and Effie Nidam. "He escaped 'the beast' of Baltimore". CNN.
  5. Fall 2014, Bret McCabe / Published (2014-09-10). "Dwight Watkins, former drug dealer, forges a new identity: D. Watkins, author". The Hub. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  6. Parham, Jason (13 May 2016). "'The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir,' by D. Watkins" – via NYTimes.com.
  7. Kaltenbach, Chris. "Baltimore author D. Watkins marries lawyer Caron Brace in morning ceremony in Canton". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
  8. "Dwight Watkins, former drug dealer, forges a new identity: D. Watkins, author". 10 September 2014.
  9. "Skyhorse, Salon Join Forces on "Hot Books" - PubCrawl".
  10. "Review of The Beast Side".
  11. Whitehead, Karsonya Wise. "D. Watkins graphically maps two Baltimores in 'Beast Side'".
  12. magazine, Baltimore (24 December 2015). "Best Books of 2015". Baltimore magazine.
  13. magazine, Baltimore (3 September 2015). "Book Reviews: September 2015". Baltimore magazine.
  14. "Editors' Choice".
  15. Hindin, Zach (4 September 2016). "Who Reads a 'Crack Rock Memoir'?".
  16. Watkins, D (2016). The cook up : a crack rock memoir. New York: Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 1455588636.
  17. "THE COOK UP by D. Watkins - Kirkus Reviews".
  18. magazine, Baltimore (20 December 2016). "My Favorite Books of 2016". Baltimore magazine.
  19. magazine, Baltimore (11 May 2016). "Book Reviews: May 2016". Baltimore magazine.
  20. "WE SPEAK FOR OURSELVES by D. Watkins - Kirkus Reviews" – via www.kirkusreviews.com.
  21. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5011-8782-7
  22. McCauley, Mary Carole. "Celebrate Black History Month by curling up with these books by Baltimore-area writers". baltimoresun.com.
  23. https://www.prattlibrary.org/one-book-baltimore
  24. "Stories written by D. Watkins".
  25. "Bestselling Author D. Watkins Talks Trump, Satire and the Future of Salon".
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