In the world of literature and journalism, there isn’t much Andrea Blackstone hasn’t accomplished. From newspaper reporting to authoring numerous fictional novels, to producing dazzling artistic renditions – Blackstone is a multifaceted author, historian, award-winning journalist and storyteller. And her latest literary work is nothing short of inspirational.
“The World We Left Behind,” Blackstone’s first historical fiction book, was officially released August 7, 2025. Also, her first project after a long hiatus from writing books, Blackstone’s great-grandmother – Queen Jackson Haley – inspired her to write what she calls a reimagined story about slavery and the children of the plantation.
Photo credit: Darrin Riddick-Davis
“To me, it’s a story about resilience and remembering people who endured a lot,” said Blackstone, a Virginia resident originally from Long Island, N.Y.
The first book in Blackstone’s new Black Water Cove series, “The World We Left Behind,” as Blackstone frames it, underlines the struggles of enslaved people, the intersecting lives of their enslavers and the courageous abolitionists who were despised for their moral uprightness.
The book follows this summarized plot line:
At Rutherford Rocks Plantation, deep wounds grow under the rule of rich Alabama landowners. After John Brower secretly fathers a child with Hazel, an enslaved woman, his wife Catherine’s rage leads her down a brutal and bitter path. She gains a dark reputation as one of the cruelest slaveholders — until an unexpected love shakes her world.
Meanwhile, Catherine’s sister, Sarah Ann, turns against her upbringing to become an abolitionist, changing the lives of Aunt Sarah, a former cook, and her children. This historical novel kicks off The Black Water Cove series — a saga about betrayal, survival, hope, and the tangled legacies of a plantation haunted by its past.
Between August 7 and August 13, 2025, Blackstone released a few other projects, including journals, artwork and a workbook, to honor various people in her mother’s family with birthdays around that time.
“For Such A Time As This” is a self-development workbook for creatives. Encouraging messages are spread throughout the workbook; from affirmations to carefully selected Bible verses, “For Such A Time As This” promotes emotional healing, spiritual growth and intentional self-care.
Similarly, the “Flower Power,” “Royalty,” and “Daughter of Royalty” journals blend original art and quotes while celebrating femininity and paying homage to women who endured slavery.
“All of those things were rolled out after I launched my website because I wanted to celebrate the written word in a variety of formats and have a place to house them,” Blackstone said.
“The World We Left Behind” was born out of Blackstone’s healing journey in recovering from her mother’s passing, coupled with the enlightenment of learning more about her family history.
As aforesaid, Blackstone’s great-grandmother was Queen Jackson Haley; Simon Alexander Haley was her maternal grandfather and renowned author Alex Haley’s father (author of “Roots”); her mother, the late Lois Ann Haley Blackstone (Butts) was Simon’s daughter and Alex Haley’s lesser-known half-sister, according to Blackstone, who said writing the book took quite a while, taking her on an immersive, emotional journey.
“It was something I really wanted to do – especially now, where history is in a different place, and I don’t want to forget people who’ve endured sacrifices and come out of these situations, and produced greatness,” Blackstone told The Baltimore Times.
The 244-page historical fiction also uplifts Black men, portraying those particular characters in an honorable manner, Blackstone added.
“It was a very liberating experience to write the story,” she said. “It was something that moved me to tears sometimes, that made me angry, but I felt peace in doing it for my family.”
Blackstone, a graduate of Morgan State University, said the book took more than two years to complete. She earned a master’s degree from St. John’s College (Annapolis), has contributed to several publications in the region, including serving as an assistant editor for The Baltimore Times.
With the release of her latest series of books, Blackstone has authored at least 10 published literary works.
Through pure ingenuity, inquisitiveness and passion, Blackstone’s quest to tell undertold stories has been a massive success thus far.
“I hope people take away something positive from the book,” she said.
“In the African American community, I hope people who read it will see that we need to uplift our men. And the men who are in great need to continue being great and realize that there are people who want to recognize their hard work and contributions. We need to continue to encourage working together and bonding as a family.”
Learn more about Blackstone and her projects by visiting https://andreablackstone.com/books/.
I look forward to reading Ms. Blackstone’s book which shows the residency of African Americans during a very dark period. It should serve as an inspiration on how the current turbulent times can be navigated.