Ella Joyce (E.J.) Stewart
Short story author, playwright, historian
A native North Carolinian, the daughter of sharecropper parents, who uses literary arts as a way to create better communication across age, race, gender, and class lines, ELLA JOYCE “EJ” STEWART is an author, playwright, oral historian, story teller and workshop presenter. She is a foundling member of the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers, (NCABS), a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers, (NABS) and a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network, (NCWN). Formerly a member of the NC State Arts Council’s Artist-in-residence & Artist Touring rosters, EJ currently resides in Raleigh, NC.
As a playwright, EJ first play ‘Another Family Reunion’ was produced in part by the NC Arts Council in 1995. Her play, ‘Christmas-in-a-shoebox’, was produced by TRYON PALACE and presented as a ‘staged reading’ at the North Carolina History Center in New Bern, NC, 2011 & 2012. And EJ’s latest play ‘When I Leave’ is scheduled for production later in 2012.
Publication works include:
“JUMP UP and SAY, a collection of Black storytelling” by Linda and Clay Goss, Simon & Schuster, publishers, 1995…works included, ‘Sunday Family Dinner’ & ‘Cheese’.
“BEAUTY” or A Different Look”, Kinston Free Press, June 20, 1999.
“A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS,” collected and illustrated by James Ransome
Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2010…work included, “Christmas-in-a-shoebox’, the short story.
