Doris Jean Austin facts for kids

Doris Jean Austin (1949 – 1994) was an American author and journalist. She wrote a novel and several short stories. Austin also taught writing workshops and helped create groups for writers.

Doris Jean Austin's Early Life

Doris Jean Austin was born in 1949. Her birthplace was Mobile, Alabama, in the United States. She grew up with her mother and grandmother.

When she was six years old, her family moved. They moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. There, she went to Lincoln High School. Her English teacher, Reverend Ercell F. Webb, inspired her. He encouraged her to become a writer. Her family was very religious. This background also influenced her writing.

Austin's Career as a Writer

Doris Jean Austin taught writing workshops. From 1989 to 1994, she taught about fiction. She taught at Columbia University and the Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center.

She also helped start important writing groups. Austin co-founded the Harlem Writers Guild. Later, in 1994, she left that group. She then co-founded The New Renaissance Guild. This new group was inspired by writers from the Harlem Renaissance. Famous writers like Arthur Flowers and Terry McMillan were part of this group.

Austin also worked as a reporter. For a time, she reported for NBC Radio. Her articles were published in several magazines and newspapers. These included Essence, Amsterdam News, and The New York Times.

Books and Stories by Austin

Austin wrote one novel called After the Garden. It was published in 1987. The book was inspired by people she knew. These were people from the Baptist church she attended as a child. The story is about "idealism and tainted relationships."

She also wrote short stories. Her short story, "Heirs and Orphans," was based on a character from After the Garden. This story was included in an anthology called Black Southern Voices. An anthology is a collection of writings. She also had other short stories appear in Street Lights: Illuminating Tales of the Urban Black Experience. Austin also helped edit this book.

Austin's Lasting Impact

Doris Jean Austin was best friends with author Terry McMillan. In McMillan's book, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, a character named Delilah was based on Austin. Writer Carolyn Ferrell has also said that Austin was a mentor to her. A mentor is someone who guides and advises a less experienced person.