". . . A welcome voice to the rich Caribbean literary tradition.
The Believers is a gift to lovers of short fiction everywhere."
— Rémy Ngamije, author of The Eternal Audience Of One
and Only Stars Know The Meaning Of Space
"The Believers is a compelling collection, with characters exploring their own power in multifaceted ways. Read it for a critique on culture and conformity." — Mslexia Magazine
“With incisive prose, Herman dexterously renders each character
with admirable nuance, delivering emotionally resonant,
illuminating and indelible stories.”
— Mubanga Kalimamukwento, author of Obligations to The Wounded
Shortlisted for the 2025 OMC Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature
Settings . . . are described in deft strokes . . . characters [conjured] with equal dexterity. Each story . . . delivers with integrity and verve . . . confidently and persuasively.”
— 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature Judges
“Herman's language reaches for you and makes you feel . . . the dignity of her . . . characters, whom we often overlook in the world . . . .
Your eyes can only stray from the pages for so long.”
— T. J. Benson, author of The Madhouse
Biography
A. K. Herman is a Caribbean poet and fiction writer, born in Scarborough, Tobago. Her debut collection, The Believers: Stories, is shortlisted for the 2025 OMC Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.
Growing up, A. K. heard fantastical stories about Tobago, its people, beliefs, and practices. Childhood tales and her time living in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean- a vibrant neighborhood of immigrants and visitors from the Caribbean and Latin America-- inspires her writing, which also serves as historical documents that capture culture, belief and practices that have faded or are fading.
A. K.’s writing has appeared in Doek! Literary Journal, Lolwe, The Waterstone Review, Shenandoah Literary Journal and others. A. K. lives in New York and is working on a novel.