This title profiles important African American writers in all genres. From slave narratives to abolitionist tracts, from the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's to the Black Arts movement of the 1960's and 1970's, African American writers have always influenced literature in the United States. Its scope and coverage: Notable African American Writers compiles 80 essays on great novelists, poets, playwrights, short-story writers, and writers of nonfiction from colonial America to today. Students, librarians and teachers will find a comprehensive overview of each author's biography and literary career as well as ready-reference listings of their major works in all genres. Its organization and format: Each essay identifies the writer's major genres (e.g., ""Novelist and poet"") and provides information about birth and death dates and places. Chronological listings of the author's works by genre follow. At the end of every essay is an up-to-date annotated bibliography that suggests secondary sources for further study. The three volume set of 900 pages feature 80 essays ranging in length of 4-8 pages. Each essay contains between 2,000-8,000 words.