“If it’s not us, who is going to keep a record of our stories?”
— Debra J Stone
Nick of Time: Women Write about Art and Aging is an anthology of essays, poetry, memoir, monologue, and other work by Minnesota artists. Edited by Julie Landsman, Debra J Stone, and Morgan Grayce Willow, it is published by the University of Minnesota Press (October 2026).
LISTEN
What does it mean to keep making art as we grow older—and who will remember the work we leave behind? Lissa Jones welcomes writer and co-editor Debra J Stone to discuss Nick of Time: Women Write about Art and Aging, a collection of voices from Minnesota women artists.
Debra talks about creative freedom, the humor and complexity of aging, and her wish to see Black women’s writing preserved. The episode also features readings from contributors Amoke Kubat, Carolyn Holbrook, Mary Moore Easter, and Kim Hines. Their stories move from an elder’s unmistakable swagger to family conversations, recovery through song, and the surprising comedy of growing older.
GO DEEPER
LISTEN
Listen to Lissa’s earlier conversation with Debra about The House on Rondo.
DISCOVER
Discover the Givens Collection of African American Literature, which speaks to Debra’s question about preserving Black writers’ work. University of Minnesota Libraries
READ
To look at how older Black women creators navigate the physical and spiritual textures of aging, we highlight local legend Mary Moore Easter’s stunning poetry collection., Dancing On The Precipice. Written in the wake of open-heart surgery, Easter uses verse to examine mortality, body memory, and what it means to reclaim your “dancing self” as an elder.
Readings by Authors
7:42–11:13 “I Ain’t Your Side Chick & Other Things You Need to Know About This Old Woman” By Amoke Kubat, read by her daughter Keegan Xavi
13:14–16:48 “Questions We Didn’t Ask” by Carolyn Holbrook
18:52–22:24 “Alive and Singing” by Mary Moore Easter
24:49–29:02 “KC” by Kim Hines
32:49–36:26 “Be Old and Just Get On With It” Debra J Stone
To see how the broader arts landscape is responding to older creators of color, this national report outlines the immense cultural, social, and structural impact that happens when museums and writing programs truly center Black elders.”
ENJOY!
Black Market Reads is a product of the Givens Foundation for African American Literature, produced in partnership with IDream.tv. Our production team for this episode includes co-producers Lissa Jones and Edie French, Technical Director Paul Auguston, the voice, Yo Derrick, and our artist of inspiration, Ta-Coumba T. Aiken.
Funding for this series focusing on literature and the humanities is provided by the Minnesota Humanities Center. To hear more conversations with Black writers and thinkers, and to enjoy Go Deeper treasures, visit blackmarketreads.com, or subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.