Blog
Alumni Jamar Thrasher on Being Named a Periplus Fellow
by Writing Workshops Staff
2 months ago
In 2023, Jamar Thrasher made a bold pivot from a successful communications career to pursue his dream of becoming a novelist. The Pennsylvania-based writer, who previously worked as a press secretary and business reporter, has been honing his craft through WritingWorkshops.com classes—and that dedication is paying off.
In 2024, Jamar was named a Periplus Fellow, a prestigious mentorship collective serving U.S. writers who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Working with acclaimed author Laura van den Berg, whose novel State of Paradise explores magical realism, Jamar has been developing an experimental love story that centers on the lives and experiences of Black men and boys.
We caught up with Jamar in fall 2025 to learn more about his writing journey, his work with the Periplus Collective, and how WritingWorkshops.com helped prepare him for this exciting chapter in his literary career.
Writing Workshops: You pivoted from a communications career to focus on becoming a novelist in 2023. What specific elements of your experience as a press secretary and business reporter have proven most valuable in your writing journey?
Three main things: observational skills and learning how to make vital information unforgettable and sharing that vital information with a wide audience (in this case, my readers).
Writing Workshops: Your novel is described as "an experimental love story spiked heavily with magical realism." Could you talk about your attraction to magical realism as a genre and how you use it to explore themes that matter to you?
Jamar Thrasher: Through City of Asylum in my hometown of Pittsburgh, I was introduced to "Senselessness" by Horacio Castellanos Moya. From that point on, I've been attracted to magical realism. Simply, I appreciate that it bends reality. And honestly, magical realism has come into my personal life beyond writing. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and his divinity, as well. Admittedly, it is all a wild and crazy story (I'll be honest, it is) yet, I, as a wild and crazy person, have faith that it actually happened and believe Jesus is who He is.
Writing Workshops: You've participated in several prestigious programs for writers of color, including the 2024 class of Periplus Fellows and the Center for Black Literature's 2024 Wild Seeds Retreat. How have these communities shaped your approach to storytelling and your understanding of your place in the literary landscape?
Jamar Thrasher: I'm so grateful to GOD for those opportunities. I'm extremely blessed and humbled to have had my work revised by some of the best authors in the world! I'd like to shout-out both of my amazing writing mentors. At the Center for Black Literature's Wild Seeds Retreat I worked with Breena Clarke, whose debut novel, "River, Cross My Heart," was selected as an Oprah's Book Club selection. And, as a Periplus Fellow, I worked with Laura van den Berg, whose novel "State of Paradise," (which has strong aspects of magical realism) was published when I was a fellow. I appreciate that I was able to work with two talented authors, who encouraged me to be myself. They've also made me realize that a work-in-progress is an amorphous thing, and that at times, I must sacrifice parts of my book to have a better impact on my readers. I've also learned how to incorporate feedback received into my work (and also how to rely on my intuition).
Writing Workshops: Your mentor, Laura van den Berg, helped you prioritize creating a discipline of writing consistently. What does your writing routine look like now, especially as you balance running Kennedy Blue Communications with your creative work?
Jamar Thrasher: My writing routine right now is early morning writing. I enjoy writing in the stillness of the day. Sometimes, this early morning writing is quite literally early morning—just after midnight, for example. Previously, I would write at the public library immediately after taking my daughter to school. I also handwrite. I tried writing on my computer at my desk, but now I write. Laura had mentioned writing by hand. As have other writers, like Zain Khalid (whom I worked with before), and Hernan Diaz. Interesting fact, Hernan Diaz was actually Zain's mentor when he was a Periplus Fellow, and Zain encouraged me to apply to Periplus.
As a business owner it's hard. I promote my business, do the work, handle client relations, and then do all of the administrative work (although I outsource for some tasks, like accounting, I am still responsible for organizing all aspects of Kennedy Blue Communications). Laura recommended I start my creative writing first and then dive into my client work. I still haven't mastered this yet. Being an entrepreneur is fun and daring. You create your own reality. I encourage everyone to try it.
Writing Workshops: You've mentioned wanting to create stories that center the lives and experiences of Black men and Black boys. What gaps do you see in current literature that you hope to address through your work?
Jamar Thrasher: I see a gap in the types of literature that Black men and Black boys actually want to read. There seems to be a paucity of literature that is aimed at that specific readership. I am allowing my writing to flow. I am a vessel and GOD just pours into me. My hope is that the end result is something that everyone wants to read, but I am particularly interested in increasing the literacy rates of Black men and Black boys and writing something that I hope they will enjoy reading.
Writing Workshops: As someone who's worked in both public relations and creative writing, how do you approach the business and marketing aspects of being an author differently than someone without your professional background?
Jamar Thrasher: I think of creative ways to market that raise awareness. I want people to know a little bit about my book even if they do not read my book. This way, they know even about the book to recommend it to others. I am aware that not everyone reads, but I am seeking to translate my books into various outputs—such as video vignettes, for example. I want to work with getting the story beyond the page—yes, the page is foundational, but how can this story live beyond the page? I want to establish the legacy of the story.
Writing Workshops: You've spoken about books being an outlet that allows you to travel through your imagination. Which authors or specific works have most influenced your writing style and sensibilities?
Jamar Thrasher: I'm a huge fan of Rick Bragg. My writing mentor, Dr. Ervin Dyer, gave me one of Bragg's books as motivation for me to find my voice as a writer. Stylistically, I am forever drawn to the literature of the great Toni Morrison. Morrison's tenor and poetry are incredible. The scenes in Morrison's literature are indelible. It is my hope that as a writer that I write with the skill and courage of James Baldwin. Also, since I had the opportunity to work with Breena Clarke, I must add her to the list. She has an incredible story, "His Teeth," from the point of view of a dog. I'm also a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut, Dave Eggers, and Poe Ballantine.
Writing Workshops: You're rebranding your firm to focus on Christian-led organizations while also incorporating social justice themes in your creative work. How do you see these two aspects of your professional identity informing and enriching each other?
Jamar Thrasher: My faith and my social justice worldviews go hand-in-hand because this was modeled in the life of Christ. Love is at the root of everything Jesus did. As a professional I hope that I am able to forever put purpose over profit. I want people who interact with me to feel love.
Writing Workshops: You've taken several classes at WritingWorkshops.com. In what ways did our instructors and these classes help prepare you for the journey you're on now?
Jamar Thrasher: The classes I've taken through WritingWorkshops.com have been tremendous. I recall the course I took with Ying Chang Compestine and she encouraged me to do more freelance nonfiction writing. This is advice that I have taken, and my recently published piece in NEXTpittsburgh is proof ("Pittsburgh Needs to Name a Bridge After a Black Pittsburgher. Period."). I have also learned to be bold and get ahead of trends. Discovering my boldness was strongly inspired from Jonathan Malesic's spiritual writing class—this is the boldness I am using as I land the plane with my novel. I learned to keep up with trends in the newsletter class with Courtney Kocak. I still haven't done too much with newsletters just yet, but I am on Substack and Medium.
Jamar Thrasher's journey from communications professional to Periplus Fellow demonstrates the power of dedication, community, and quality instruction in developing a writing career.
His success story began with taking writing classes that helped him discover his voice, build confidence, and develop the discipline necessary to pursue his literary ambitions. Whether you're making a career pivot like Jamar or just beginning to explore your creative potential, WritingWorkshops.com offers courses taught by experienced instructors who can help you refine your craft, find your unique voice, and take meaningful steps toward your writing goals.
From spiritual writing to newsletter development to genre-specific instruction, our diverse course offerings provide the tools and guidance emerging writers need to succeed. Join our community of writers today and start your own journey toward literary achievement.
Photo credit: DaiJohn McLaurin
