Dr. Sanderia Faye is a distinguished novelist, short story writer, educator, and social justice advocate with a unique passion for pairing literature with fine wine as a certified sommelier. Faye’s literary work spans multiple genres, blending her love for storytelling with a deep appreciation for history, culture, and the human experience. She holds a PhD in English from the University of North Texas (2020), an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University (2001), and an MA in Aesthetic Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas (2016). Her academic background reflects a rich understanding of aesthetic theory, creative writing, and African American narratives, with a particular focus on the intersection of race, class, and social justice.
Faye is best known for her debut novel, Mourner’s Bench (2015), set during the Civil Rights Movement in the rural South. The novel won the prestigious Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction and the Philosophical Society of Texas Award of Merit for Fiction. It was also optioned for film, demonstrating its far-reaching influence. Through her fiction, Faye explores deep themes of race, identity, and societal transformation, using historical contexts to shed light on contemporary issues.
Her short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in widely read publications, including D Magazine, Texas Highways, The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Southwest Review. Faye’s stories “God’s Country” (2023) and “The Leaning Tree” (2022) examine the complexities of African American life and historical trauma, while her essays, such as “Breonna Taylor” in The New Yorker and “My Protests and Prayers in Dallas” in The New York Times, highlight her commitment to social activism and racial justice.
Beyond her writing, Faye is also a sommelier, an unexpected yet meaningful addition to her creative practice. As a wine enthusiast, she pairs wine with books based on the emotions evoked in the reader at the beginning, middle and end of the novel crafting unique experiences that blend the sensory pleasures of reading with the sophisticated art of wine tasting. Her innovative approach to combining literature with wine deepens the immersive experience of storytelling.
Faye has received fellowships and residencies at esteemed institutions such as Yaddo, the Hermitage Artist Retreat, and the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. Her contributions to the literary world have earned her multiple awards, including being recognized by D Magazine as one of the 78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas in 2021.
As an educator, Faye is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of English at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Since joining the faculty in 2017, she has taught a wide array of courses, from creative writing to rhetoric, and has inspired a generation of writers to engage critically with their craft. She has also served as a visiting professor at Antioch University and an associate professor at Collin Community College.
In addition to her teaching, Faye is the Executive Director of the SMU/Dallas Literary Festival and Co-Director of Pen America’s Dallas chapter. Through these roles, she champions freedom of expression and provides a platform for diverse voices. She is also a co-founder of the Kimbilio Center for Fiction, which supports writers from the African diaspora, and LitNight, a popular literary series in Dallas.
Faye’s commitment to literature extends beyond the classroom and community service. She has served as a judge for numerous literary awards and is a board member of various literary organizations, including Deep Vellum Publishing and the Mayborn Nonfiction Literary Conference.
Whether through her writings, her work in education, or her unique pairing of books and wine, Sanderia Faye continues to leave an indelible mark on the literary world, offering readers and students alike new ways to engage with the stories that shape our lives.
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