A Guide to Roxane Gay: 9 Acclaimed Works by Roxane Gay

[Roxane Gay](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/roxane-gay-teaches-writing-for-social-change) is an award-winning author, editor, professor, and cultural critic. The *New York Times* best-selling author has written five critically acclaimed books—a memoir, *Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body*; her essay collection *Bad Feminist*; two short story collections, *Ayiti and Difficult Women*; and a debut novel, *An Untamed State*. She also co-authored a [graphic novel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-graphic-novel), *The Sacrifice of Darkness*. Regardless of the genre or form, Roxane’s work centers on women and sometimes explores various shapes and forms of trauma. She has been a contributing opinion writer for the *New York Times*, *Salon*, the *Rumpus*, and the *Guardian*. Her writing has appeared in *Harper’s Bazaar*, *Best Sex Writing 2012*, *McSweeney’s*, *Tin House*, the *Nation*, the *Los Angeles Times*, the *New York Times Book Review*, *Virginia Quarterly Review*, *American Short Fiction*, *Best American Mystery Stories 2014*, and *Oxford American*. In addition to writing, Roxane has edited multiple anthologies, including *Best American Short Stories 2018* and the best-selling *Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture* (2018). She also co-edits the literary magazine *PANK*. Roxane is both the first Guggenheim Fellow and the first Black woman to write a Marvel comic book (*Black Panther: World of Wakanda*). In 2019, she co-founded the Black feminist podcast “Hear to Slay” with Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom. In 2021, she launched *The Audacity*, a newsletter that includes a book club, features Roxane’s writing, and showcases emerging writers. She’s held professorships at Eastern Illinois University, Purdue University, and Yale University. In addition to her own publications, Roxanne has written and edited for several publications: 1. __*PANK* magazine (2006–present)__: Roxane co-founded literary magazine *PANK* in 2006, which publishes short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry digitally. She continues to serve as a co-editor of *PANK*. 2. __*The Best American Short Stories* (2018)__: In 2018, Roxane was chosen as the editor of the annual *Best American Short Stories* anthology, which publishes a selection of short fiction from the previous year. 3. __*Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture* (2018)__: Roxane served as the editor of this best-selling anthology that collected stories tackling the ins and outs of “rape culture,” featuring essays from authors such as Gabrielle Union and Lyz Lenz. The anthology also included many first-person stories from survivors of rape, sexual assault, and harassment. 4. __*The Audacity* (2021–present)__: In 2021, Roxane launched *The Audacity*, a newsletter that includes a book club, features Roxane’s writing, and showcases emerging writers. Author Roxane Gay has published a range of critically-acclaimed books, from memoirs to essay collections: 1. __*Ayiti* (2011)__: *Ayiti*, Roxane’s debut book-length publication, is a short story collection that explores the lives, experiences, and identities of Haitian characters from America and Haiti. 2. __*An Untamed State* (2014)__: Roxane’s debut novel, *An Untamed State*, followed a Haitian American woman kidnapped and held for ransom. In the novel, Roxane incorporates literary elements from traditional [fairy-tales](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fairy-tales-vs-folktales-whats-the-difference-plus-fairy-tale-writing-prompts), including opening with “once upon a time.” 3. __*Bad Feminist* (2014)__: Alongside the publication of her novel, Roxane published a collection of essays titled *Bad Feminist*, in which she engages with feminism, [pop culture](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/roxane-gay-on-pop-culture-writing), and her personal life and upbringing. *Bad Feminist* was published to wide critical acclaim and quickly became a *New York Times* best-seller. 4. __*Black Panther: World of Wakanda*__: With the publication of 2017’s *Black Panther: World of Wakanda*, Roxane became the first Black woman to write a series for the media company. The six-part series, which she wrote with contributions from poet Yona Harvey, served as a companion piece to the Black Panther storyline, following Wakandans Ayo and Aneka. *World of Wakanda* was illustrated by artists Alitha E. Martinez and Afua Richardson, making it the first time a Marvel series was helmed entirely by Black women. 5. __*Difficult Women* (2017)__: Roxane’s second collection of short stories, *Difficult Women*, explores the experience of being a woman in contemporary society by delving into the unique challenges that women face on a daily basis. 6. __*Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body* (2017)__: In *Hunger*, Roxane’s memoir, she explores her relationship to food, weight, and her body, including how her childhood—including her history with sexual violence and trauma—may have contributed to her experiences. *Hunger* quickly became a national best-seller and was a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award. 7. __*The Banks* (2019)__: Roxane’s first graphic novel, *The Banks*, is a heist thriller that follows the women of the Chicago-based Banks family, who happen to be successful thieves. 8. __*The Sacrifice of Darkness* (2020)__: Roxane adapted her short story, “We Are the Sacrifice of Darkness,” into a graphic novel co-written by Tracy Lynne Oliver and illustrated by Rebecca Kirby. The book follows one woman’s journeys through a world that no longer experiences daylight. 9. __*How to Be Heard* (2021)__: This practical guidebook offers writing advice for new or established writers, including chapters on writing about sex, taking criticism, and making [revisions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/joyce-carol-oatess-tips-for-revising-a-novel-or-short-story). Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Roxane Gay, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more. Roxane Gay is a preeminent writer, author of the books *Bad Feminist*, *An Untamed State*, *Difficult Women*, and more.