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Table of Contents
About The Book
In this lyrical and stirring companion to the “spellbinding” (Harper’s Bazaar) Shallow Waters, Oya—the Yoruban deity of the weather—is brought to life during 1870s America. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Sun.
Born in Cuba after her mother Yemaya’s adventures in the New World, Oya has inherited otherworldly powers from her Yoruba Orisha lineage. While Yemaya is known for her healing abilities, Oya’s influence over the storm proves to be destructive, posing a threat to her mother and the island’s safety.
Sent to New Orleans to study under Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo, Oya begins a journey across the still young America, encountering a myriad of historical figures, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, Jesse James, Lew Hing, and more.
As Oya navigates the landscapes of racism, colorism, and classism, she grapples with her own identity and powers, striving to find her place in a fraught and complex society. A moving, vivid exploration of resilience, heritage, and the enduring spirit of a young woman coming into her own, The Wind on Her Tongue transports you to a world where magic and reality intertwine.
Born in Cuba after her mother Yemaya’s adventures in the New World, Oya has inherited otherworldly powers from her Yoruba Orisha lineage. While Yemaya is known for her healing abilities, Oya’s influence over the storm proves to be destructive, posing a threat to her mother and the island’s safety.
Sent to New Orleans to study under Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo, Oya begins a journey across the still young America, encountering a myriad of historical figures, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, Jesse James, Lew Hing, and more.
As Oya navigates the landscapes of racism, colorism, and classism, she grapples with her own identity and powers, striving to find her place in a fraught and complex society. A moving, vivid exploration of resilience, heritage, and the enduring spirit of a young woman coming into her own, The Wind on Her Tongue transports you to a world where magic and reality intertwine.
About The Author
Photograph by Keith Major
Anita Kopacz is an award-winning writer and spiritual advisor. She is the former editor in chief of Heart & Soul Magazine and managing editor of BeautyCents Magazine. When she is not writing, you can find her on the dance floor or traveling the world with her children. Anita lives in New York City with her family. She is the author of Shallow Waters and The Wind on Her Tongue.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atria/Black Privilege Publishing (February 12, 2025)
- Length: 224 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668052211
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Raves and Reviews
“We hold in our bodies the residual effects of powerful Black historical figures being demonized. In The Wind on Her Tongue, Anita redeems their legacy and helps us heal in the present moment through her storytelling. This novel is a profound journey that ultimately helps us remember who we really are.”
—Dr. Resmaa Menakem, New York Times bestselling author of My Grandmother's Hands
“Anita does it again! Her masterful storytelling has created a world in which the majesty of Black women shines through. Like Shallow Waters, The Wind on Her Tongue brilliantly blends magic with reality, showcasing Oya’s journey through early America. A must-read.”
—Jayson Jackson, Music Veteran & Film Producer
“The Wind on Her Tongue is a lyrical healing ceremony in storytelling form. Every page of this poignantly relevant and achingly tender masterpiece bursts with Kopacz’s deep rooted wisdom, mysticism, humanity, reverence, and insight. A magical story that you will keep close for a long time to come and read many, many times over.”
—Sherry Sidoti, award-winning author of A Smoke and a Song
“You can feel Kopacz’s love for the culture steeped in every line of this novel. The Wind on Her Tongue reimagines difficult parts of our past, giving flowers to many historical Black figures that never got their due.”
—Mara Brock Akil, showrunner and creator
“Everyone right now is looking for who they really are and where they really came from. What Anita is doing in her novels is the work for us: researching and connecting us to all of these bigger concepts of African spirituality. She is making them feel *wink, wink* fictional for us to lean into them and experience them without fear or insecurity about the religions we were taught. She is linking us all closer to our collective truth.”
—Grace Harry, creative muse, pleasure instigator, and author of The Joy Strategist
“Anita's work is nothing short of transformative. As an author, she has an incredible ability to take her readers on a profound journey from point A to point B, leaving them forever changed. If you are seeking a reading experience that goes beyond entertainment and delves into the heart of transformation, Anita's books are a must-read.”
—Vanessa Standard, bestselling author of Self-Love is Free
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High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Wind on Her Tongue Hardcover 9781668052211
- Author Photo (jpg): Anita Kopacz Photograph by Keith Major(0.1 MB)
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