The world can learn a lot from Tembe Denton-Hurst—like how to tell a story and, perhaps more importantly, how to tell the truth. She does this and more in her stunning debut novel, Homebodies, which “is a testament to those trying to be heard and loved in a world that refuses to make space.”
In this electric story, readers follow Mickey Hayward, a writer in New York navigating the crossroads of personal, professional, and romantic tumult. After an unjust, devastating job loss, Mickey takes the reigns by crafting a letter detailing the racism and sexism she's faced as a Black woman in media. But when the letter goes unanswered, in tandem with rising tensions in her relationship, Mickey finds herself paralyzed with doubt and uncertainty. Seeking reprieve, the mounting pressure culminates in Mickey's return to her hometown.
Page after page, Tembe takes us through Mickey's past and present milestones, and as we get to know Mickey's world, readers can't help but wonder: What does it mean to truly feel at home in our lives—and ourselves?
In this interview, Tembe shared more about her life as a writer, her evolving definition of ambition, and the idea of legacy on and off the page. This episode also opens with a story by Emma Leokadia of Girls on the Page.
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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/tembe-denton-hurst
Learn more about Tembe's work: https://tembedentonhurst.com/
Follow Tembe: https://instagram.com/tembae/
Purchase Homebodies: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homebodies-tembe-denton-hurst/19218543?ean=9780063274280/
Learn more about Emma's work: https://www.girlsonthepage.com/
Follow Emma: https://www.instagram.com/girlsonthepage/
Jordan Taylor — ”The most meaningful learning comes from deeper experiences.”
Jenn Tardif — ”You get to define what success looks like and how it feels.”
Sophia Amoruso — ”The only way to know is to see the results that come of people’s lives.”
Sanaë Lemoine — ”There’s something that’s almost unlocked when I begin writing on paper.”
Suleika Jaouad — ”Focus on cultivating a practice.”
Ali Kriegsman — ”It’s on us to take that pause.”
Dianna Cohen — ”Everything is so much better when it’s low and slow.”
Vanessa Barboni Hallik — ”We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Julia Hunter — ”If we could be more honest about what’s hard, there would be more vulnerability.”
Eryn Danielle — ”Whose voices are going to be highlighted and amplified?”
Emily Schildt — ”I am looking for trusted perspectives.”
Stephanie Danler — ”Compassion depends on being able to pay attention and feel.”
Nichole Powell — ”There is tremendous power in the pause.”
Brandy Pham — ”We don’t need more of more.”
Fran Hauser — ”When we slow down, we can be kinder to ourselves.”
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