Rashid Darden

Old Gold Soul Press

Main navigation

Rashid

North Street Book Prize – First Prize, Literary Fiction

by

I’m honored to share that A Peculiar Legacy has won First Prize for Literary Fiction in the 11th Annual North Street Book Prize.

This novel grew out of my faith as a Quaker and my concern for marginalized communities. To see it recognized nationally means more than I can easily say.

Winning this prize, alongside serving as Haverford College’s Friend-in-Residence, feels like a delightful capstone after a year that has been rough physically, mentally, and professionally. I don’t take this moment lightly.

Thank you to my patrons who have supported my writing over the years. Your belief in my work has made space for books like this to exist.

And this win is in honor of Davane Williams. Later this year, his confessed murderer will be sentenced, and some measure of justice will finally be done. May we continue the work of care, truth, and accountability in every community we love.

— Rashid

The Characters of A Peculiar Legacy: Part One

by

Gino is a character in Rashid Darden’s A Peculiar Legacy. The chapter devoted to him is entitled “The Tragedy of King Gino.”

Peculiar Tyrone Jones (aka Peek) is a major character in A Peculiar Legacy. He appears throughout the novel, but most prominently in the chapter entitled “Peek With the Good Hair.”

Korey is a character who is reliably short-tempered and agitated most of the time. The chapter featuring him is entitled “Golgotha.”

Ziggy is a typical young adult trying to find his own identity. His chapter is called “Stardust.”

Rashid Darden on Characters

by

A Peculiar Legacy is intentionally named. It’s the story of a Black community in DC with a wide variety of eccentric characters. In this video, Rashid Darden introduces them. Pre-order the ebook today and purchase the paperback on April 15, from wherever you’d like to purchase books!

Rashid Darden on Writing

by

“If nobody else is going to write it, then I’ve got to write it!”

A Peculiar Legacy will be available everywhere on April 15! Pre-order the ebook today, or get your paperback on April 15.

Video by Layla Cuthrell.

AI Tribute to Divine Nine Members

by

Happy Thanksgiving!

I enjoy playing around with Artificial Intelligence and illustration from time to time. I was not given the gift of visual art in that way (although I know my way around a camera).

This morning, I created some images that I am pretty happy with. Feel free to share them without alteration.

I was going to release these on the respective founders’ days of the various fraternities and sororities, but let’s be real, I neither have the discipline nor the patience to do that.

Enjoy!