Savannah native publishes novel exploring a journey of Black queer masculinity
Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Keith Miller's title to Deep Center title to former Deputy Director. The article has also been updated to correct the reference to the sneak peek of Miller's work. The link is for the first chapter of book one, not book two, as had been previously noted.
A Savannah native and former Deep Center Deputy Director recently released a new book, telling the story of young Black men coming of age in Savannah.
Keith F. Miller's debut novel “Pritty,” published by Harper Collins, which states that the book, “follows two boys who get caught in the crossfire of a sinister plot that not only threatens everything they love but may cost them their own chance at love.”
Main characters Jay and Leroy must navigate forces outside of their control if they’re ever to fully explore their attraction to one another. To write the book, Miller pulled from his experiences of growing up on Savannah’s west side. He moved to Savannah during his formative years and stayed through high school. He left to double major in Dance and Gender Studies at Northwestern University where he was a Bill and Melinda Gates Scholar. He said that he was trained to believe that leaving Savannah was the best path to success.
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Miller came back to Savannah, but before he did, he penned an early draft of “Pritty” while working for a nonprofit in New York.
“I was at this precipice,” he said. Then he had a night terror that involved a group of teenaged boys. “I was incredibly struck by these boys who, I mean … I’ve never seen individuals care for one another, protect one another in that way.” He said the dream likely stirred from his own past traumas, as many people's dreams do.
Once back in Savannah he began working with Deep. Through his roles at the nonprofit, he shared his knowledge with a new generation in hopes to help them heal and grow. He also continued his academic studies through two graduate programs: a Master of Science (MS) in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM) and a Master of Fine Arts in Creating Writing through St. Francis College, based in Brooklyn, NY.
The program at UWM allowed him to complete a research study that led to his Healing Literacy Framework. He said the framework studies, “how youth of color heal from trauma experienced in traditional educational settings using arts-based programming in out-of-school programs.”
He cited that work as being the “backbone” for Healing By Any Means, LLC, which he founded. The organization's site states that it, “powers people, projects, and research at the heart of systems and narrative change using arts, media, culture, and healing-centered practices.”
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What readers can expect in 'Pritty' by Keith F. Miller
“Pritty” has been adapted as an animated film and is the first of a two-book series. Readers can snag a sneak peek of the book one’s first chapter at the HarperCollins/HarperTeen blog
Through the book, Miller gives others chance to engage with what he calls "healing literacies." The back jacket of the novel says that the story explores themes of "Black queer masculinity and manhood." Friendship, community and the desire for nurturing and loving environments are also subjects that Miller tackles within the work.
The central story is the connection of two teenagers, Jay and Leroy. Though they exist in different social circles, they are drawn to one another and develop a bond. As strong emotions for one another emerge, forces disrupt their world before they can discover the true depths of their feelings.
Those external forces involve the Black Diamonds, a group that has worked to bring peace to their community. Leroy and his older brother are tasked with keeping factions of the group in harmony. Then a shooting at their house one afternoon tears their hard-fought stability asunder. The plot builds as Leroy keeps Jay at arm’s length while Leroy tries to help his brother restore peace. Jay moves on with new friends and potential love interests, but the two main characters eventually come together just as tensions boil over within the Black Diamonds.
Amid all the tension and dramatic aspects of the story there is food. A diner serves as more of a community center than a restaurant. Scenes often occur in a kitchen after a violent or traumatic act has taken place in the story. Cooking and the kitchen serve almost as healing elements, which was subconscious on Miller's part as he wrote early drafts of "Pritty."
“What I wanted to be able to demonstrate is the many ways the negotiation of food and comfort and healing is really, really powerful,” Miller said. He described cooking, dance, food, writing and even cleaning as art forms akin to composing. All of which, “allows us to process trauma and create opportunities to have conversations that are not easy to have.”
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah native Keith F. Miller publishes debut novel 'Pritty'
