negression Creative

Meet Kalisha Buckhanon, negression Creative Director

I have 25 years of experience as a writer, media talent and project help with 20 years of experience in major fiction publishing as an author of five acclaimed novels.

My career in arts, letters and media began as work-study at University of Chicago. I was an Editorial Assistant in its News Office and its Press. After school, I became an initially temp secretary to the Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of its Hospitals. Then I was hired for it as my first real job. As I rose to the occasion of a crash course in assisting by day, I wrote a practice novel at night. Well this was back when writers had to find addresses in the Guide to Literary Agents, pay Kinko’s to copy manuscripts and mail agents including a stamped envelope for rejection.

I was shocked to not be rejected. I was not shocked a famous agent who really loved my writing couldn’t sell it into a book, though it was so exciting to try. Meanwhile, I landed a communications job at National Black MBA Association, Inc. in Chicago. It was a proud introduction to the business world and great experience in media production. However, praise for my talent from literary agents and editors nudged me to take a risk.

So I moved to Manhattan in the early aughts for The New School for my dream to take classes with Sapphire, author of my fave modern novel PUSH, on its way to adaptation into the Oscar-winning film “Precious.” This move led to requisite teaching artist life in Harlem, temp work at Essence, sending out my stories and auctioning into a book deal with St. Martin’s Press by age 26. I worked as style icon Harriette Cole’s Office Manager in time I started publishing the novel Upstate, my M.F.A. thesis. My author launch was an incredible experience. I started negression later to publish my writing and reach readers quickly. It remains my creative home.

Many essays here derived from study in my alma mater UChicago’s English PhD program. Beyond my solo work, I’ve been a dramaturg or literary manager in Chicago community theaters, a Course Assistant for Intro to Acting at UChicago and been read by Athena Theater at the Dramatists Guild. I’ve adapted my novels into screenplays; one recently became a Diverse Voices Competition Finalist. I’ve been on network television as an expert on true crime cases and lent my voice to a powerful PBS NewsHour special chronicling COVID’s devastation to women of color. For much of my freelancing, things were at deadline or crisis level when I entered to support.

I have a B.A. and M.A. in English from University of Chicago with a Creative Writing M.F.A. from The New School. I am certified to teach English as a foreign language. I’ve taught students from pre-school to college levels, in Chicago and New York City, where I work and live between today. Along with much writing about my arts and culture interests, I write African American and women’s novels and stories with usually some mystery, crime and justice.

Testimonials

“Though I am a midcareer literary artist, I’ve been experimenting with other genres. As an emerging crime fiction writer, I looked to my colleague Kalisha Buckhanon, who gracefully navigates the common ground between literary and crime fiction. Kalisha gave valuable feedback on a very early version of Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes, a mystery novel that went on to win the Malice Minotaur Award for First Mystery Novel. When the work was scheduled for publication, she provided me with a lovely back cover blurb. No matter how seasoned a writer may be in one genre, it can be a bit trepidatious trying to tiptoe into another. I will always be grateful that Kalisha Buckhanon’s generosity helped make that transition easier. ” –Sandra Jackson-Opoku, Acclaimed Novelist

“I have known Kalisha in creative, professional, and communal forums for longer than I recall. Her roles are manifold in scope and profound in impact. Kalisha wields an acute critical eye as reader, reviewer, editor, etc. It is her inkling to both cultivate and nurture the work of fellow well-published writers and aspirant acolytes alike. Combine these traits with her professional honesty and sheer humanity, and Kalisha is a rare combination as a presence within contemporary Arts & Letters. Her eye, voice, and work leave lasting impressions on those whom she encounters.” –Bayo Ojikutu, Acclaimed Novelist & Lecturer

“Kalisha Buckhanon is an incredibly talented writer and editor. I was so grateful for her work in helping me finalize an essay in a companion booklet for a documentary film that I produced. I could trust Kalisha to hold the historical and anthropological material in this essay with an informed sensitive perspective. I was so happy with how Kalisha brought the final draft to life into a colorful accessible read. After being stuck for so long on trying to finish the essay, having Kalisha’s support was a life saver. Kalisha is completely professional, timely, and trustworthy and I would highly recommend her work as a writer and editor.” – Maya Jensen, Infinite Earth Body Founder

“Working with Kalisha is a joy! As she edited and evaluated my middle grade novel, Kalisha was always generous, positive, and supportive. She gave me great suggestions for improvements and her line edits were spot on. I’m currently querying the revised novel.” –Diane Englert, Author & Actress

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