Archie's Psalm - Paperback

by Christopher D. Burns (Author)

Archie's Psalm is a glimpse into the life of a latchkey kid who is encountering situations that force him to learn about the changing world around him. A coming of age story with a carefully crafted narrative and subplot, Archie's Psalm shows the transitioning world of a neighborhood in Memphis, TN ten years after Dr. King's death. Through the setting, vivid character descriptions and moving storytelling a hot and humid southern neighborhood comes to life. Through the use of dialect and song the shifting tone and sound of the south reminds the reader of Zora Neale Hurstons' novels. A work of literature that is artistic, powerful and important. A book that could become as relevant as Ann Petry's The Street.

Author Biography

Originally from Memphis, Christopher D. Burns joined the US Navy shortly after graduating high school. Soon after, Chris was stationed in San Diego, where he served in the military for four years. After his duty was up, Chris remained in San Diego and played college basketball at San Diego City College. He received an AA in Psychology from Mesa College (SDCCD) in 1997. While attending Mesa College, Chris became inspired to write after going to a poetry reading in 1995. At this time he began to write his first book, A Man's State of Mind. In 1997, Chris went on to attend San Diego State University where he earned a BA in English and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. While attending San Diego State University, Chris wrote Stages: a handbook on men and relationships, 100 Black and White Questions (co-authored by Kevin Pendleton) and Archie's Psalm (which later became his Masters thesis). After graduating with his MFA degree from San Diego State, Chris returned to his childhood home of Memphis and worked for two years as a professor of English at Historically Black College, LeMoyne-Owen College. He resigned to teach high school English, complete research on building writing skills, and to focus more on the CB Publishing website www.cbpublish.com, Center Court Basketball www.centercourtbasketball.com, a basketball recruitment website and his footwear company ARCH www.arch-usa.com. Academic and Artistic Information: 1997-2000 Host of San Diego's Gallery 504 Open Mic/Poetry Night 2001 San Diego State Writer's Scholarship Awardee 2006 Memphis Black Writer's Conference Panelist 2006 and 2007 NAACP ACT-SO Judge (Afro-Academic, Cultural Technological & Scientific Olympics) 2005-2007 Full Time Professor at LeMoyne-Owen College (Published and edited the DVD and book Beyond Poetic Chains.) 2008-2009 Professor of English City University School of Liberal Arts (Edited the student anthology The Transparent Onyx and Redefining The Labyrinth as well led the production of two student films.) The Redefining the Labyrinth project produced an NAACP ACT-SO competition winner in the essay, who was selected to compete in New York City. Jan 2010-Dec 2010 English Teacher/Consultant at Ashland H.S.the Benton Country School District, Ashland, Mississippi 2007-Present Adjunct English Professor at LeMoyne-Owen College, Park University and Southwest TN. College