Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
Meet NY Times Bestselling Author + Alabama native LaDarrion Williams
Reading time: 3 minutes
It’s not every day you meet a New York Times Bestselling author, especially one who lives right around the corner in Helena.
We spoke to LaDarrion Williams about his newest novel “Blood at the Root.”
Here’s what he had to say.
From in-between cities to Hollywood
LaDarrion Williams doesn’t come from a traditional upbringing. As a Liberty Heights native, LaDarrion came from a colorful area with inspiration seeping from the streets.
“I do think Helena is two different worlds.
You cross those train tracks where the old Incahoots used to be, you’d cross over into a world where Black folks just living, sitting outside in the yard, spittin’ tobacoo in a Coke can, going to the candy lady’s house, riding four wheelers, folks cussin’ and laughin’ while playing a game of Spades, and hearing church music from the old New Elam Baptist Church that was on Cunningham Dr.
We call this area in Helena Liberty Heights.”
LaDarrion Williams, author, “Blood at the Root”
But it wasn’t just the streets of Helena that fueled LaDarrion’s creativity. Influences like Beyonce’s “Black is King”, HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”, and Tomi Adeyemi’s groundbreaking work sparked a figure within him.
He felt the absence of Black male leads in young adult fantasy, thus embarking on a mission to carve a space for characters like Malik Baron, the protagonist of “Blood at the Root.”
“Malik Baron, our main character, definitely resembles me in a lot of ways. We don’t get to see young Black boys in literature having the space to be angry, be vulnerable and also to be the custodians of their own images.”
LaDarrion Williams, author, “Blood at the Root”
A tale of triumph
The journey from idea to recognition wasn’t an easy one. Initially written as a television series, the project faced rejection after rejection in Hollywood. However, LaDarrion remained undeterred and decided to take another route. He turned his story into a bestselling novel.
He also explored other passions, such as playwriting and screenwriting.
We are so very proud of this Alabama native.
Where can I get Blood at the Root?
You can immerse yourself in this life-changing story by purchasing the novel at the following locations:
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