San Marcos Author places short story in ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ collection

San Marcos author Emmy Faith recently placed her short story, Hum, in the new book “Chicken Soup for the Soul: I’m Speaking Now,” a collection of short stories and poems written by over 100 Black women writers who share their truth about the experiences of their daily lives.

Faith, who grew up between Lubbock and San Antonio, now lives in San Marcos. Last November, while recovering from a broken leg, Faith wrote “Hum” as a way of reconnecting with her family through homecooked food.

“I had a lot of free time on my hands,” Faith said. “I tried to get back into the things that make me happy. Writing is definitely one of those things.”

“Hum” focuses on Thanksgiving 2020, when Faith was not only convalescing but cut off from her family due to COVID-19. The story centers on the familiar feelings of isolation and disconnectedness brought on by quarantine, but then delves deeper into the meaning of soul food and how a simple take-out container of home-cooked good food can make all the difference in the world.

Faith knows good food. Having worked in kitchens since she was 16, she says that food is a kind of passion to her. “I write about my family a lot,” Faith said. “Within my family, food is always a big centerpiece. When it’s really good food, yeah. I hum. I have an aunt who makes fun of me for that, and she’s like, slow down and stop singing.”

In addition to appreciating good food, Faith has always enjoyed writing.

“I’ve always written and kept journals,” she said. “When I’m frustrated, I sit down and write and get it out.”

Faith intends to keep doing just that, with the hopes of putting together a short story collection some time in the future.

“I always wanted to be a writer, so now I’m working on that,” she said. “Always do something that Little You wants to do. There’s still time to do what you always wanted to do.

“Chicken Soup for the Soul: I’m Speaking Now” features 101 first-person narratives and 12 poems by Black women authors. “We are speaking now,” said Breena Clarke in the introduction to the book. “This collection... is an opportunity to hear the often-silenced voices of Black women.” It is available in bookstores, as an ebook and on Amazon. com.

“Always do something that Little You wants to do. – Emmy Faith