"This wonderful anthology of fresh voices from the Caribbean…includes writers from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The diverse textures of the stories by 13 established and new authors weave a tapestry of the islands, water, sand, ocean breeze, and rum. Vivid settings serve as backdrops for a dazzling display of personalities." — Booklist "The wonder in these stories is that they show Caribbean culture—the people, sounds, food, and music...this book will appeal to readers of Caribbean fiction and beyond." — Library Journal "Readers are in for a treat when they open the pages to taste the mélange of literary Caribbean cuisine. Spicy and filling!" — The Gleaner (Jamaica), "Sizzling Books for Summer Reading" "If you want a masterclass in how to start your stories with a bang, this is the book for you....This is an exciting and heartening book. It proves—if anyone was in any doubt—that the Caribbean has plenty of homegrown literary talent to draw upon." —A Year of Reading the World (Book of the Month for August 2014) "Take Pepperpot along on vacation. It's an ideal summer read." —La Bloga "Pepperpot is an eclectic mix of adventure, humor, the spirit world, family relationships, and other subject matters which gives you something to think about." —Ski-wee's Book Corner Featuring a preface by Olive Senior. Includes the 2013 Commonwealth Prize-winning story "The Whale House" by Sharon Millar. Akashic Books and Peepal Tree Press, two of the foremost publishers of Caribbean literature, launch a joint Caribbean-focused imprint, Peekash Press, with this anthology. Consisting entirely of brand-new stories by authors living in the region (not simply authors from the region), this collection gathers the very best entries to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, including a mix of established and up-and-coming writers from islands throughout the Caribbean. Featuring these brand-new stories: "The Whale House" by Sharon Millar (Trinidad & Tobago) "A Good Friday" by Barbara Jenkins (Trinidad & Tobago) "Reversal of Fortunes" by Kevin Baldeosingh (Trinidad & Tobago) "The Monkey Trap" by Kevin Hosein (Trinidad & Tobago) "The Science of Salvation" by Dwight Thompson (Jamaica) "Waywardness" by Ezekel Alan (Jamaica) "Berry" by Kimmisha Thomas (Jamaica) "Father, Father" by Garfield Ellis (Jamaica) "All the Secret Things No-One Ever Knows" by Sharon Leach (Jamaica) "This Thing We Call Love" by Ivory Kelly (Belize) "And the Virgin's Name Was Leah" by Heather Barker (Barbados) "Amelia" by Joanne Hillhouse (Antigua & Barbuda) "Mango Summer" by Janice Lynn Mather (Bahamas) and others!
Authors
Kevin Jared Hosein was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. He has published three books: The Beast of Kukuyo (2017 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature), The Repenters (Fiction shortlist, 2017 OCM Bocas Prize) and Littletown Secrets. His writings are published in numerous regionally and internationally acclaimed anthologies and outlets including Lightspeed, Adda and Moko Arts & Letters. His other accolades include the 2015 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and being twice shortlisted for the Small Axe Literary Prize for Prose.
Garfield Ellis grew up in Jamaica, the eldest of nine children. He studied marine engineering, management and public relations in Jamaica and completed his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Miami, on full scholarship as a James Michener Fellow. He is a two-time winner of the Una Marson prize for adult literature; in the first instance for his first collection of short stories, Flaming Hearts (pub. 1997), and later for the novel, Till I’m Laid To Rest. He has twice won the Canute A. Brodhurst prize for fiction (The Caribbean Writer, University of Virgin Islands) 2000 & 2005 and the 1990 Heinemann/Lifestyle short story competition. Garfield is the author of six books: Flaming Hearts, Wake Rasta, Such As I Have, For Nothing at All, Till I’m Laid To Rest and The Angels' Share (Jan 2015) His work has appeared in several international journals, including; Callaloo, Calabash, the Caribbean writer, Obsidian III, Anthurium and Small Axe
"This was a very difficult story for me to write, and for a lot of reasons. Many of the stories in the novel are based on things that happened in the village where I grew up, and were hard to revisit and come to terms with. It took me close to two years to write the book, not because I didn't know the details of the story, but because I wasn't sure I wanted to tell it. In particular, I struggled with writing about things I felt might dishonor the memories of people I grew up with, many of whom have since passed away. I love Jamaica. It is the only place I will ever call home. But there are things that happened there that should make none of us proud. I hope I have been able to tell some of the good and bad of that past with authenticity. I am very surprised and deeply grateful for all the kind reviews and comments the novel has received so far. I am astonished that it was selected as a Regional Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize and that it is the first self-published novel to win a regional award. Hopefully this will encourage me to get off my lazy butt and complete the next novel." Ezekel Alan is a Jamaican consultant working in Asia. He lives with his wife and kids, and has a good reliable dog. "Disposable People" is his debut novel which was a Regional Winner for the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. Ezekel blogs at www.ezekelalan.com.
