A. Rafael Johnson
- Fiction Mentor
- MFA in Writing
Additional Information
Biography
A. Rafael Johnson writes magical realist fiction in the traditions of Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. His debut novel THE THROUGH featured an estranged African American couple and a flying slave ship. Other stories explore the lives of a former child soldier in Liberia, a conjure woman fighting for the love of her brother, and the intersections of sexuality and race. For Andy, fiction gives voice to the voiceless and reclaims lost members of the human family.
Johnson has taught at Cuttington University (Liberia), The University of Alabama, and the Loft Literary Center. Johnson holds a B.A. in Drama from The University of Texas and an MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Alabama, where he received the Truman Capote Fellowship and the Alumni Prize. Johnson is a Kimbilio Fiction fellow.
His work has been featured in African American Review, Callaloo, Excavating Honesty: An Anthology of Rage and Hope, Kweli Journal, spacecraft projects, Temenos Journal, and other publications. He has been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize. THE THROUGH was a finalist for the 2018 Minnesota Book Award.
Most recently, Johnson was a fiction mentor for the Loft Literary Center's 2022-2023 Mentorship program and the writing instructor for the TESTIFY exhibit at Hennepin County Library. He currently teaches creative writing at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and in the University of Nebraska at Omaha Master of Fine Arts program. He lives in Minneapolis.
Teaching Philosophy
"I believe that fiction is a search for truth. My own work, whether it’s called magical realism or speculative fiction, always features characters trying to explain the truth of their lives. I am particularly interested in working with up-and-coming BIPOC authors, as well as authors working in fantasy, science fiction, or magical realism. In fiction, I am drawn to urgent stories - stories that demand the reader’s attention through precise language and lyrical phrasing. In workshop, I prioritize a strengths-based approach that helps writers build upon what’s working.
"In one-on-one mentorship, I enjoy getting to know each student well. After all, the book starts with you, your hopes and dreams, phobias, favorite foods, favorite music. Knowing you helps me understand why you’re writing, and why your book matters. We’ll co-curate a reading list of classics and new writing that brings an awareness of craft. We’ll discuss fundamental elements of fiction as well as ideas particular to your work. We can also talk about the writing life: publishing, making a living, and all the things that keep us active and productive writers."
Additional Information
Biography
A. Rafael Johnson writes magical realist fiction in the traditions of Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. His debut novel THE THROUGH featured an estranged African American couple and a flying slave ship. Other stories explore the lives of a former child soldier in Liberia, a conjure woman fighting for the love of her brother, and the intersections of sexuality and race. For Andy, fiction gives voice to the voiceless and reclaims lost members of the human family.
Johnson has taught at Cuttington University (Liberia), The University of Alabama, and the Loft Literary Center. Johnson holds a B.A. in Drama from The University of Texas and an MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Alabama, where he received the Truman Capote Fellowship and the Alumni Prize. Johnson is a Kimbilio Fiction fellow.
His work has been featured in African American Review, Callaloo, Excavating Honesty: An Anthology of Rage and Hope, Kweli Journal, spacecraft projects, Temenos Journal, and other publications. He has been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize. THE THROUGH was a finalist for the 2018 Minnesota Book Award.
Most recently, Johnson was a fiction mentor for the Loft Literary Center's 2022-2023 Mentorship program and the writing instructor for the TESTIFY exhibit at Hennepin County Library. He currently teaches creative writing at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and in the University of Nebraska at Omaha Master of Fine Arts program. He lives in Minneapolis.
Teaching Philosophy
"I believe that fiction is a search for truth. My own work, whether it’s called magical realism or speculative fiction, always features characters trying to explain the truth of their lives. I am particularly interested in working with up-and-coming BIPOC authors, as well as authors working in fantasy, science fiction, or magical realism. In fiction, I am drawn to urgent stories - stories that demand the reader’s attention through precise language and lyrical phrasing. In workshop, I prioritize a strengths-based approach that helps writers build upon what’s working.
"In one-on-one mentorship, I enjoy getting to know each student well. After all, the book starts with you, your hopes and dreams, phobias, favorite foods, favorite music. Knowing you helps me understand why you’re writing, and why your book matters. We’ll co-curate a reading list of classics and new writing that brings an awareness of craft. We’ll discuss fundamental elements of fiction as well as ideas particular to your work. We can also talk about the writing life: publishing, making a living, and all the things that keep us active and productive writers."