Queer Writers
Willard Motley was an African-American writer who grew up in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, in one of the only African-American families residing there.
The Chicago Defender published Motley's fiction when he was only 13 years old. He was then writing a weekly column called "Bud Says" under the pseudonym "Bud Billikin" (which then give the name to an annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic).
Motley lived near Maxwell Street Market, where he became associated with Hull House, In 1940 he wrote for the Works Progress Administration Federal Writers Project.
In 1947 his first novel, Knock on Any Door, his first novel, was published.
His second novel, We Fished All Night, did not receive the same success. Motley moved to Mexico to start over.
His third novel, Let No Man Write My Epitaph continued the story of Knock on Any Door.
On March 4, 1965, Motley died in Mexico City.
