The Caribbean Writer (TCW) at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair, LLC (VI Lit Fest) will host the 11th iteration of the VI Lit Fest virtually on April 13, 2025. The community-focused theme— “Possibilities: Beyond Tradition, Inside of Courage”—is also the theme shared with Volume 39 of TCW. This event honors the memory of the late Elizabeth Nunez (1944-2025) and Velma Pollard (1937-2025).
Some of the prominent authors who are going to participate in discussions are: Merle Collins, Enrique “Rico” Corneiro, Patricia Harkins-Pierre, Iris Mwanza, Devon Pelle, and Mervelle A. Sage. Here are excerpts from their bios. See more at USVI Lit Fest.
Merle Collins (shown above) is a is a Grenadian poet, novelist and short-story writer. In 2008, she founded, in the Washington Metropolitan area, a community organization, Carivision Community Theatre, Inc. (Carivision). Her 2023 novel, Ocean Stirrings (subtitled “A Work of Fiction in Tribute to Louise Langdon Norton Little, Working Mother and Activist, Mother of Malcolm X and Seven Siblings”), was shortlisted for the 2024 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction.
Enrique “Rico” Corneiro was born and raised on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). He is author of The Danish West Indies in Black and White, Rescuing Virgins: A Guide to Virgin Islands Sports Collectibles, and I Born Here: The Story of My Virgin Islands Family.
Patricia Harkins-Pierre is the author of Kadesha and the Flying Squirrels. Patricia lives on St. Thomas in the USVI.
Iris Mwanza is a Zambian American author, lawyer, and gender equality advocate. She is the author of the novel The Lions’ Den.
Devon Pelle is a second-year English and Fine Arts student at the University of the Virgin Islands, who was inspired to create the graphic novel The Mortal Pulse from a desire to see stories he wished existed.
Mervelle A. Sage was born and raised on St. Croix in the USVI, and currently resides in Spring Hill, Florida. Her books include Shores of a Cinnamon Soul, Hanging with Uncle Eddie (children’s book), Carambola (poetry), Artoro Sleeps (children’s book co-authored with her son Ellijah A. Hermitt), and Carambola Passion (poetry). She is co-author of The Passion and Purpose Anthology: 21 Inspiring Stories of Women from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For full schedule, see https://usvilitfest.com/
For more information on each participant, visit eventbrite.com/e/2025-usvi-literary-festival-and-book-fair
The Caribbean Writer (TCW) at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair, LLC (VI Lit Fest) will host the 11th iteration of the VI Lit Fest virtually on April 13, 2025. The community-focused theme— “Possibilities: Beyond Tradition, Inside of Courage”—is also the theme shared with Volume 39 of
