Prose to the People

“Black bookstores get due deference for being centers of history, community, activism and culture in this collection with an original foreword by Nikki Giovanni.”—Ebony

“A historical guidebook and cultural anthology told through a resplendent tapestry of images, artifacts, poetry, interviews and essays showcasing the resilience of the Black community through the lens of one of its most enduring institutions.”—The New York Times

“Prose to the People is so visually dazzling that it’s tempting just to gaze at it, but dig into the book’s written content and you’ll find a revelatory survey of a literary arena that’s complex and consequential.”—The Washington Post

“At a time when our stories are being challenged, banned and erased, Prose to the People isn’t just a love letter to Black bookstores—it’s a reminder of why they matter now more than ever. These spaces aren’t just about books; they’re about resistance, remembrance and making sure our voices are heard, no matter who tries to silence them.”—Essence

“Through vivid photography, interviews, and essays, this work—part-travelogue and part-manifesto—helps us fall in love with the places that have centered Black literature as a form of resistance.”—Elle

“Groundbreaking.”—The Bitter Southerner

“Presented in a visually dynamic, scrapbook-style format, the coffee table book supplements Mitchell’s experiential narratives and Q&As with booksellers with new and vintage photos, old documents, advertisements and flyers, plus poems and essays from other contributors.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Prose to the People is an important addition to any library, but especially for book collectors interested in Black culture and the power and influence of independent bookstores.”—BookPage

“Katie Mitchell’s beautifully wrought ode to Black bookstores, Prose to the People … is itself an act of archiving and preserving, as well as a process of inspiration, for readers today and readers to come.”—South Atlantic Review

Katie Mitchell is a storyteller and bookseller. Katie lives, works, and writes in Atlanta, Georgia. Her online and pop-up Black bookstore, Good Books, has been featured in The New York Times, NBC, NPR, PBS, and many other outlets. Katie is a Dorothy Porter Wesley fellow.

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