Diane McKinney-Whetstone is an acclaimed American author, best known for her intimate portrayals of the people and neighborhoods of Philadelphia. She has a deep connection to the city, often referring to its blocks and neighborhoods as characters in her stories. McKinney-Whetstone's characters are complex and flawed, capable of both making mistakes and achieving great heights. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including twice receiving the American Library Association Black Caucus Literary Award for Fiction and a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts grant.
McKinney-Whetstone was born in Philadelphia and attended local public schools before pursuing higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in English. After graduation, she worked in a variety of fields, including serving as a press secretary for the Philadelphia City Council president and as an officer of public affairs for the USDA-Forest Service. However, her true passion was for writing, and she eventually transitioned to a career as a fiction writer. She has taught creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania and was a member of the school's Creative Writing program faculty.
McKinney-Whetstone is the author of several novels, including "Tumbling," "Leaving Cecil Street," "Blues Dancing," "Tempest Rising," and "Lazaretto." Her work explores themes of family, community, and identity, and she has a unique ability to bring the rich history and culture of Philadelphia to life on the page. She currently resides in Philadelphia with her husband, Greg.