Lydia Mathis on the Books That Freed Her Weird Voice

Lydia Mathis, a 29-year-old first-time author from Atlanta, is set to publish her short story collection "Desperate Bodies" in September 2026 through Roxane Gay's imprint. The collection delves into the lives of Black women and girls, navigating both ordinary and fantastical situations, while confronting desire within restrictive systems. Mathis credits her literary voice to Ottessa Moshfegh's "Homesick for Another World," alongside José Saramago's "Blindness" and Anne Carson's "Nox." She finds the writing process, from initial drafts to revisions, to be painful and encourages broader reading across diverse races, cultures, genres, and narrative styles. Additionally, Mathis has a passion for paranormal romance and fan fiction. This feature is part of the first Young Writers list in partnership with Montblanc.