I interviewed Jamaica Kincaid months ago about her children's book,

a party, about an event that took place at the New York Public Library

that she wrote about in shouts and murmurs in the New Yorker magazine ages and ages ago.

It was illustrated by Ricardo Cortez.

And I thought it would be a good time to re-release my episode with Jamaica Kincaid, who, as you

probably know, is one of the most esteemed African-American authors around living today.

And we got to chat about her love of gardening, and she, like, didn't even want to come in

from the garden to do the podcast. And in the podcast, I mentioned

that I was going to be seeing her. I was going to be attending the same event that she was at

the New York Public Library. And then months later, we did meet there finally. And I got to greet

her in person. And it was so nice to be able to see her and talk to her about the podcast and all the rest.

So it kind of came full circle.

Anyway, in my own small effort to amplify black voices this week, in particular, since this is the hashtag Blackout Tuesday, hashtag stay muted week,

I am only not meeting myself so that I can give an intro to this amazing author and leader.

And I hope that you get a lot out of our conversation.

Hi, I'm Zivie Owens, and you're listening to the Webby-nominated podcast, Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books.

I am just beyond excited to be talking to the legendary writer, novelist, and professor Jamaica Cancad today.

Jamaica is most recently the author of children's book Party, illustrated by Ricardo Cortez.

Originally from Antigua, Jamaica, who was born named Elaine Potter Richardson, came to the United

States to work as an opair at age 16. She was a staff writer at the New Yorker magazine for 20-plus

years. Her books include novels Annie John, Lucy, at the bottom of the river, the autobiography of

my mother, Mr. Potter, a small place, my brother, my garden, among flowers, and see now

...