Abrea Armstrong has helped Winston-Salem preserve and tell its Black history. Now, the hometown writer is introducing a novel about a Black woman searching across the Atlantic for a fuller understanding of her own.
Her debut, “Ferry Tales,” arrives as Bookmarks prepares to bring authors and readers downtown for its 21st Festival of Books & Authors. Armstrong’s book-tour schedule lists a Thursday, Sept. 24, Bookmarks appearance with author Tolani Akinola, ahead of the free street festival Saturday, Sept. 26. Red Hen Press lists the novel’s publication date as Sept. 29.
For local readers, Armstrong offers a familiar connection to a weekend filled with visiting writers. Her work with Triad Cultural Arts has included sharing Black history through cultural programming, tours and preservation efforts. A Winston-Salem native who attended Salem Academy and earned a graduate management degree at Wake Forest University, she has built a career across journalism, communications and community work.