THE INSTRUCTOR
Margaret Johnson-Hodge is the author of thirteen published novels, contributor to three anthologies, including the highly successful “Proverbs of the People,” a chapbook and a biography.
She has received national acclaim and garnered rave reviews from USA Today, The Dallas Morning Star, Midwest Book Review, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, The Library Journal, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine.
Her works were considered by Showtime and Hallmark for book-to-movie options. Her novels have been used as part of the English curriculum at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she was guest author, and was invited by Harvard University to submit a short story for their literary magazine.
Her novel “A Journey to Here,” was nominated for Book of the Year, “The Real Deal” won Reviewer’s Choice Award, and “Butterscotch Blues” made the Essence Magazine, Blackboard and Black Expressions Bestsellers list. “A New Day” made Mosaic Magazine’s “What’s Hot Top Five Fiction” List five (5) times, and “True Lies” made the Black Expressions Bestsellers List.
Margaret has been featured in major papers in her hometown, and a guest speaker at Georgia’s Writers, Inc. Her novels have been carried by various Bookspan book clubs, including Doubleday Book Club, Book of the Month Club along with the Literary Guild, and were ‘Main Selections’ for their Black Expressions Division. Her novel “Red Light Green Light” was declared ‘a classic in years to come’ by Midwest Book Review. When her county libraries were facing closing, she was asked to write an Op-Ed against it for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and she happily obliged.
Her works have been described as ‘visceral,’ ‘brutally honest’ and ‘refreshing.’ She sees her characters as onions to be peeled, slowly going through those layers, revealing all that they are and aren’t, and in the process, getting to their ‘truths’—the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly, but always authentic, and always real.
Margaret also gives writing workshops throughout the year which have become extremely successful, ranking her high marks and full-to-capacity crowds. She recently gave one for the Georgia Writers Association where registration was the highest ever recorded. Her next writing workshop: “Publishing from A to Z: The Get Published Workshop" will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 on the Historic Marietta Square in Marietta, Georgia.
Born and raised in New York, Margaret now calls Atlanta, Georgia home but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up in, and looks forward to telling more of them. “There is always some story inside of me” is how she sees it “and I just try and get it told…” Writing is truly her life.
She has received national acclaim and garnered rave reviews from USA Today, The Dallas Morning Star, Midwest Book Review, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, The Library Journal, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine.
Her works were considered by Showtime and Hallmark for book-to-movie options. Her novels have been used as part of the English curriculum at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she was guest author, and was invited by Harvard University to submit a short story for their literary magazine.
Her novel “A Journey to Here,” was nominated for Book of the Year, “The Real Deal” won Reviewer’s Choice Award, and “Butterscotch Blues” made the Essence Magazine, Blackboard and Black Expressions Bestsellers list. “A New Day” made Mosaic Magazine’s “What’s Hot Top Five Fiction” List five (5) times, and “True Lies” made the Black Expressions Bestsellers List.
Margaret has been featured in major papers in her hometown, and a guest speaker at Georgia’s Writers, Inc. Her novels have been carried by various Bookspan book clubs, including Doubleday Book Club, Book of the Month Club along with the Literary Guild, and were ‘Main Selections’ for their Black Expressions Division. Her novel “Red Light Green Light” was declared ‘a classic in years to come’ by Midwest Book Review. When her county libraries were facing closing, she was asked to write an Op-Ed against it for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and she happily obliged.
Her works have been described as ‘visceral,’ ‘brutally honest’ and ‘refreshing.’ She sees her characters as onions to be peeled, slowly going through those layers, revealing all that they are and aren’t, and in the process, getting to their ‘truths’—the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly, but always authentic, and always real.
Margaret also gives writing workshops throughout the year which have become extremely successful, ranking her high marks and full-to-capacity crowds. She recently gave one for the Georgia Writers Association where registration was the highest ever recorded. Her next writing workshop: “Publishing from A to Z: The Get Published Workshop" will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 on the Historic Marietta Square in Marietta, Georgia.
Born and raised in New York, Margaret now calls Atlanta, Georgia home but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up in, and looks forward to telling more of them. “There is always some story inside of me” is how she sees it “and I just try and get it told…” Writing is truly her life.
Margaret's Accolades
Literary Reviews
Publishers Weekly:
“Johnson-Hodge has written a captivating sequel that loyal readers and new fans will devour.” — “Some Sunday”
“She has created characters that, despite their flaws, readers will care about…Forecast: Johnson-Hodge’s popularity continues to grow. Audiences will respond favorably to the earthy drama’s she describes…” — “True Lies”
“Johnson-Hodge offers a sassy and often endearing story.”
— “Warm Hands”
“Fresh writing and an honest recognizable heroine.”
-- “The Real Deal”
Booklist:
“Johnson-Hodge offers a poignant and lyrical tale of dreams lost, dreams deferred, and dreams reborn.” — “True Lies”
“This story is filled with very contemporary situations that some people may be forced to deal and many will want to read about.” — “Butterscotch Blues”
USA Today:
"Johnson-Hodge hits the ground running [when] true love is tested by the brutal facts of AIDS."
— “Butterscotch Blues”
Midwest Book Review:
“A book so memorable it will become a classic in years to come.”
—“Red Light Green Light”
Quarterly Black Review:
“Mrs. Johnson-Hodge once again ups the relationship ante with her latest novel. She effectively weaves the complexities of marriage and how they relate to a person’s individual growth…A Journey To Here is a solid work…” — “A Journey To Here”
“Margaret Johnson-Hodge has done a wonderful Job.”
— “True Lies”
“This hip, Terry McMillian-esque book will have you reexamining your thoughts about love and romance.” — “The Real Deal”
Amazon.com:
“Johnson-Hodge has written a profound first novel, creating characters that ring with authenticity and interest. This is a very literate, compelling read and highly recommended.”
— “The Real Deal”
Romantic Times Magazine:
"Margaret Johnson-Hodge brings a sassy, witty and contemporary edge to [her] novels...Add Ms. Johnson-Hodge to your list of auspicious debuts."
-- "The Real Deal"
Black Issues Book Review:
“Attention grabbing from the start.”
— “Butterscotch Blues”
Ebony Magazine:
“An engaging novel…a moving tale.”
— “Butterscotch Blues”
“Bestselling writer Margaret Johnson-Hodge delivers a powerful story about love, relationships and the choices people make…” “ — “This Time”
Essence Magazine:
"A touching story..."
--"Butterscotch Blues"
The Romance Reader:
"...an excellent story of love, pride, parenting and second chances. I recommend it!"
--"A New Day"
Affaire de Coeur:
"This book has a wealth of characters with who, every reader can identify. It's funny and sexy and the ending will have you shouting "You go, girl!"
--"Warm Hands"
Informed Resources:
"...refreshingly straightforward..."
— “The Real Deal”
"..many of us will recognize [our selves] as plainly as the face in the mirror...Johnson-Hodge's smooth writing style catches the eye and engages the mind."
--"A New Day"
Under the Covers.com:
“The novel is a testament to the power of love and the strengths of one’s spirit…”
--"Butterscotch Blues"
“Stop the presses! Margaret Johnson-Hodge does indeed stop the presses with her latest novel…Characters fresh, drawn with empathy, strength and sincerity, drive a slice-of-life plot that reads like a mystery.” — “A New Day”
“A poet, Margaret Johnson-Hodge weaves a subtle lyricism into her novel. Drawing on her strengths, she burnishes the story until it glows with inner warmth and vitality.”
— “The Real Deal”
Black Woman Today:
“Margaret Johnson Hodge is a talented writer with easy to catch your stride style that has become trademark in all of her novels to date…[the story] unfolds a deeper story on morality, alcoholism, depressive distress and emotional breakdown.”
— “Some Sunday”
Grace Edwards, Author of “No Time to Die”:
“A heart-stopping love story rendered with the skill of a poet.”
— “Warm Hands”
Belles and Beaus of Romance:
"This novel explores feelings of...power, humor and great insight...will leave you realizing that love has many colors."
— “The Real Deal”
Shades of Romance Magazine:
"...[a] heart-breaking story of friendship and the healing power of love...[it] will surely establish Margaret Johnson-Hodge as a voice to be reckoned with."
-- "Butterscotch Blues"
Publishing Highlights
Author of the Year – Georgia Writers, Inc.
Author of the Year Nomination – “A Journey to Here”
Publishers Weekly Savvy List of the Season’s Best Reads — “Some Sunday”
Barnes and Nobles Bookstore Recommended Reading – “A Journey to Here”
USA Today: First Chapters – “Butterscotch Blues”
Dallas Morning News Fiction Bestsellers List – “A Journey to Here”
Austin Chronicle Bestsellers List – “Butterscotch Blues
Rocky Mountain News Great Read Selection – “Some Sunday”
Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie Option Consideration – “Some Sunday”
Showtime Cable TV Movie Option Consideration – “A New Day”
The Harvard Review: Short Story Request —Harvard University
University English Course: Required Reading: “Some Sunday”
– Unv. of Wisconsin at Eau Claire English Course
University English Course: Required Reading: “A New Day”
– Unv. of Wisconsin at Eau Claire English Course
“Outstanding Contribution to African-American Literature” – Award
—Queens College of the City of New York
TRR Favorite – “In Search of Tennessee Sunshine”
Black Expressions Book Club Top Choice – “A Journey to Here”
Black Expressions Book Club New and Notable Fiction – “A Journey to Here”
Black Expressions Book Club Sizzling Fiction – “A Journey to Here”
Book of the Month Club — “A Journey to Here”
Black Expressions Book Club – “A Journey to Here”
Quarterly Black Review Fiction Bestsellers List – “A Journey to Here”
Forbes.com — “A Journey to Here”
Urban Voices On Line Top Book List – “A Journey to Here”
Howard University Book Store Recommended Reading – “A Journey to Here”
New Zealand Public Library New Book List – “A Journey to Here”
Southwest Public Libraries New and Notable Fiction – “A Journey to Here”
Columbus Metro Library New and Notable Fiction – “A Journey to Here”
Black Expressions Book Club Bestsellers List – “True Lies”
Black Expressions Book Club Main Selection — “True Lies”
Borders Book Store Recommended Book – “True Lies”
BookRemarks.com Hot Novels List – “True Lies”
Under The Covers.com Highly Recommended – “True Lies”
Tucson-Pima Public Library Star Pick – “True Lies”
Amazon.com Best In Fiction – “Some Sunday”
Black Expressions Book Club Main Selection — “Some Sunday”
Toledo Public Library – Third Most Requested Book – “Some Sunday”
Black Expressions Book Club Main Selection —“Butterscotch Blues”
Doubleday Book Club —“Butterscotch Blues”
The Literary Guild Book Club — “Butterscotch Blues”
Essence Magazine Bestsellers List — “Butterscotch Blues”
Blackboard Bestsellers List — “Butterscotch Blues”
Amazon.com Best In Women’s Fiction — “Butterscotch Blues”
Black Expressions Book Club Book of the Year —“Butterscotch Blues”
Black Expressions Book Club Favorable Fiction (twice) —“Butterscotch Blues”
Black Expressions Book Club Notable Novel —“Butterscotch Blues”
Black Expressions Book Club Unforgettable Novel — “Butterscotch Blues”
Black Expressions Book Club Unforgettable Novel — “Warm Hands”
The Literary Guild — “Warm Hands”
Doubleday Book Club — “Warm Hands”
Mosaic.com Hot Book List — “Warm Hands”
Black Expressions Book Club —“Warm Hands”
Black Expressions Book Club Fiction Favorite (twice) — “Warm Hands”
Romantic Times Magazine - 4 star Review - "A New Day"
Emerge Magazine Top Five Fiction List — “A New Day”
Emerge Magazine Bestsellers List — “A New Day”
Mosaic.com What’s Hot List (five times) — “A New Day”
Black Expressions Book Club — “A New Day”
1998 Reviewers Choice Award —“The Real Deal”
Black Expressions Book Club —“The Real Deal”
Black Expressions Book Club Quick Pick —“The Real Deal”