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Newest Caribbean Writer Edition Features Danticat

Sept. 23, 2004 – The Caribbean Writer, an international literary anthology has recently released its 18th edition. As with each annual issue, the newest one retains a Caribbean focus and features the work of writers and artists in the region, including the Virgin Islands, and abroad.
The anthology is published by the University of the Virgin Islands, and is edited by UVI professor Marvin Williams.
Among the highlights in the current volume are a special section on the renowned Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat and on two cultural icons from the U.S. Virgin Islands — the semi-mythical "Butty" and the influential artist Charles Abramson.
The special section dedicated to Danticat includes two short stories she wrote, essays about issues raised in some of her novels, along with an interview with Danticat about her latest novel, "The Dew Breaker."
"Hers is a voice that continues to demand the world's attention," Williams said of Danticat. She won a Pushcart Prize for her short story "Between the Pool and the Gardenias," which was published in Volume 7 of The Caribbean Writer.
In his essay titled "Wey' Pa Butty Dem," author Clement White examines the gradual loss of the "West Indianness" in people of the territory that is visible in the decline of local folklore.
Additionally, the poetry and fiction components include work by Virgil Suarez, Thomas Reiter, Garfield Ellis, and Kei Miller. Finally, the journal highlights art by Virgin Islanders, and it contains book reviews by an international gathering of critics and intellectuals.
In its continuing mission to encourage creative writing and criticism in the region, The Caribbean Writer publishes book reviews, drama, personal essays, poetry, short fiction, special sections that celebrate the work of acclaimed writers, and translations.
Williams said that being editor has afforded him the "joyful, rewarding experience" of producing another creative masterpiece.
"Because of the beautiful cover alone, it might be worth purchasing," Williams said. The cover features artwork by Kathy Carlson of St. John.
As is customary, the prizewinners of the previous volume are recognized. These are the Daily News Prize for poetry, awarded to Berkley Wendell Semple; The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for short fiction, won by Opal Palmer Adisa; The Charlotte and Isidor Paiewonsky Prize for first-time publication, earned by Michael Winston Bachoo; The David Hough Literary Prize for an author residing in the Caribbean, awarded to Willi Chen; and The Marguerite Cobb McKay Prize for a V.I. author, received by Winston Nugent.
Volume 18 of The Caribbean Writer is currently available on St. Croix at Education Central, Memories of St. Croix and Undercover Books, and on St. Thomas at Dockside Bookshop, as well the UVI bookstores on both islands. Copies can also be ordered directly from The Caribbean Writer's office by calling 692-4152, e-mailing, or from the secure server Web site.

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