Forms of Contention: Influence and the African American Sonnet Tradition

Book Title: Forms of Contention: Black Sonnet Writing in America Description: Uncover the rich history of black sonnet writing in America and its impact on African American literature.

This groundbreaking book argues for the centrality of sonnet writing to African American poetry, focusing on significant sonnets, key anthologies, and critical debates about poetic form.

With digital technology, a century of sonnets published in African American newspapers has reemerged, revealing surprising patterns of influence.

Hollis Robbins engages with the concerns of academic study of African American literature while opening up a new conversation on auxiliary genealogies of influence for black aesthetic production.

This book offers a thorough analysis of the contentious relationship between form and content in African American poetry, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the history and evolution of black sonnet writing.