Author Description

The bestselling author of Bad Feminist explores the urgent concept of being heard—brave, practical, and inspiring wisdom for anyone pursuing a creative life. Over the past few years, Roxane Gay has become crucial to our cultural conversation on a wide range of issues: feminism, literature, police brutality, television, modern marriage, campus safety. No matter the topic, her voice is clear, powerful, and always honest. The Guardian said it perfectly: “In print, on Twitter, and in person, Gay has the voice of the friend you call first for advice, calm and sane as well as funny, someone who has seen a lot and takes no prisoners.” In her vital, important How to Be Heard, Gay reveals how to use your voice so people will listen. After delving deep into the writing life, Gay looks more broadly at what is really required to succeed at most any endeavor—creativity, ambition, and perseverance. She describes how to deal with rejection, what success is really all about, and why hard work is the mainstay of creativity. Woven throughout this advice is her personal and practical anecdotes on the concept of using your voice, being heard, and knowing when to listen—what these things mean, why they are so difficult, and why learning how and when to use your voice is so crucial. Beautiful, accessible, and warm, ultimately Gay’s timely message is about finding a voice that is uniquely yours, and discovering how to be heard when it truly matters most.