Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a New York Times bestselling author and Associate Professor in the Literature Department at American University in Washington, DC. She is renowned for her novels Wench (2010), Balm (2015), and Take My Hand (2022), which explore themes of race, gender, and history. Her introduction to the 2013 Simon & Schuster edition of Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave became a New York Times bestseller, amplifying her impact on literary and historical discourse.

She currently serves as Chair of the Board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and is a founding faculty member of the Hurston/Wright Foundation’s MFA Retreat. Her accolades include being a finalist for the NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for Fiction.

Key Themes: Perkins-Valdez’s work centers on African American experiences, historical trauma, and resilience, often blending rigorous historical research with emotionally resonant storytelling.

Scientific Awards:

• Finalist for NAACP Image Awards (for 'Wench')
• Finalist for Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for Fiction (for 'Wench')