LaDarrion Williams is an American author, playwright, screenwriter, and filmmaker dedicated to cultivating a new era of Black fantasy. His debut young adult novel, "Blood at the Root," was acquired in a competitive auction by Labyrinth Road, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and is set for release in Summer 2024. Williams aims to provide fresh, fantastical narratives centered on Black characters, blending genre storytelling with cultural resonance.
As a playwright, Williams has earned widespread recognition for works like "Boulevard of Bold Dreams," a Jeff Award-nominated play exploring Hattie McDaniel's historic Oscar win, which premiered at Chicago's TimeLine Theatre Company. His play "Katrina" won first place at the Alabama State Thespian Conference, while "Coco Queens" was selected for the Sundance Institute's Playwriting Intensive. A two-time finalist for the National Black Theatre's I AM SOUL Playwriting Fellowship, Williams has also participated in prestigious programs such as the Boise Contemporary Theater BIPOC Playwrights Festival and the Echo Theatre Playwrights Lab.
Hailing from Helena, Alabama, Williams is a self-taught artist whose multidisciplinary career spans theater, film, and literature. His short films have garnered attention on YouTube, further showcasing his storytelling versatility. With "Blood at the Root," he expands his creative vision into young adult fiction, offering a bold new voice in speculative storytelling.