Tina McElroy Ansa, an award-winning author renowned for her evocative exploration of the Black experience in the American South, has left behind a profound literary legacy. Best known for her novels Baby of the Family and Ugly Ways, Ansa’s work has significantly influenced the landscape of American literature.
Raised in Macon, Georgia, and a graduate of Spelman College, Ansa began her literary career as a copyeditor for the Atlanta Constitution. Her debut novel, Baby of the Family (1989), was celebrated as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and later recognized as one of the “25 Books Every Georgian Should Read” by the Georgia Center for the Book. The novel, set in the fictional town of Mulberry, Georgia, marked the beginning of a beloved series.
Ansa’s literary journey continued with Ugly Ways, which earned an NAACP Image Award nomination and was also featured on the “25 Books Every Georgian Should Read” list. Its sequel, Taking After Mudear (2008), garnered similar acclaim. Her other notable works include The Hand I Fan With and You Know Better.
In 2007, Ansa founded DownSouth Press, an independent publishing company dedicated to promoting Black literature. She also established the Sea Island Writers Retreats on Sapelo Island, Georgia, and co-created the South African African-American SisterLove Sisters Sharing (SAAASSS) book program, which connects South African readers with African-American authors.
A respected writer-in-residence at Spelman College, Ansa’s influence extended to prominent venues such as the Smithsonian’s African-American Center, the PEN/Faulkner Reading Series, and the PEN American Center in New York City. Her essays and articles appeared in major publications including The Los Angeles Times, The Atlanta Constitution, and the Chicago Sun-Times.