LEILA MOTTLEY
Leila Mottley’s first novel, “Nightcrawling,” will be published by Knopf in early June. Days later, Mottley will turn 20.
She is aware that her age can come as a surprise.
“People don’t expect much from young people — especially from Black kids,” Mottley said.
“But I also think that ability to feel everything at a heightened level,” she added, “is part of the reason that teenagers are really innovative and can be so brilliant.”
“Nightcrawling” follows a 17-year-old Black girl named Kiara who lives with her brother, Marcus, in an East Oakland apartment complex. While her brother dreams of becoming a rapper, Kiara, who has dropped out of high school, tries to earn enough money to pay their rent.
