Author Bryan Washington attends the 76th National Book Awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book, and it’s always good to stop doom scrolling and get a digital detox once in a while.
That’s why in honor of Black History Month, we rounded up six Black Texas authors who are making a splash in the literary world.
Don’t worry—we’ve got something for everyone, from poetry to children’s books to memoirs to fantasy.
Remember, these authors should be read year-round (diverse bookshelves help foster empathy and expand worldviews!)
Born in Houston, Attica Locke is a New York Times best-selling author of six crime and thriller novels. Locke’s novels revolve around themes of racism, justice, and family. Her fast-paced thrillers keep readers on the edge of their seats while keeping them informed. She’s also the winner of an Edgar Award, an Anthony Award, and the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
Our pick: “The Cutting Season,” for an in-depth look at what the South looks like in the 21st century, revealing that though we take steps towards racial equality, some things never change. As one reviewer put it, “This novel is social commentary disguised as a murder mystery. It prompts readers to contemplate themes of race, class, economics and the importance of historical events in a modern society.”
Raised in Katy, Bryan Washington rose to fame with his 2020 debut novel “Memorial,” described as “a funny, sexy, profound dramedy about two young people at a crossroads in their relationship and the limits of love.” The novel was longlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize, the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, along with being tapped for adaptation by indie darling film producer A24.
Our pick: “Family Meal,” to explore what really haunts our protagonist as he returns to his hometown of Houston to confront his past. The novel offers an inside look into grief, love, and family, sure to move any reader to tears.
Acclaimed poet and author Ebony Stewart weaves her own life experiences as a Black woman into pieces covering race, gender, and social justice. A Houston native, she’s a World Poetry Slam Champion and also has her master’s in social work. Can you say “woman of many trades?”
Our pick: “Home.Girl.Hood,” to experience Stewart’s hard-hitting and cathartic way with words around topics that may make readers uncomfortable but leaves them with a better understanding of racial injustice. You can check out her reading some of her work in the below to see just how good she is at her craft.
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Born in Memphis, Tennessee but raised in Lewisville, Texas, Saeed Jones won the 2019 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction, one of the most lucrative literature prizes.His memoir “How We Fight For Our Lives” explores growing up as a Black, gay man in a conservative city.
Our pick: “How We Fight For Our Lives,” to understand the struggles of growing up in the South as a Black man coming to terms with his sexuality.
Tonya Duncan Ellis writes informative chapter books geared towards children and middle grade readers. Her “Sophie Washington” series, consisting of 13 books, sees “characters learn about friendship, encounter bullies, manage social media and video games, navigate puppy love, and deal with other tween issues,” according to the author’s website. She also published her first picture book “THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park,” in 2024.
Our pick: “THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park,” because this would be a great way to introduce kids to some of Houston’s most important history without getting too graphic. Juneteenth is a holiday that only became federally recognized a few years ago, and is one that not many people know about.
KEEP READING: Juneteenth in Houston: From 1865 to 2025
