Forthcoming Books and Projects Under Consideration

A Legacy of Gloria E. Anzaldúa: “May We Do Work that Matters”

Edited by Kimberly C. Merenda
Forthcoming publication: December 2026

This edited collection honors the legacy of well-known Texas author and theorist Gloria E. Anzaldúa through essays by TWU graduate students, faculty, and alumni who have been influenced by her work. The collection explores, reflects on, and extends Anzaldúa’s theories. It also illustrates how her work can be adapted across disciplines and applied through a range of methodologies, further advancing academic discourse.

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The Mbwiti on the Grief Mattress: An Autohistoría-Teoría of Grief and Fragmented Identities

Written by Sarah Taati Nghidinwa

This deeply reflective and innovative work weaves personal narrative with cultural insight to explore grief, memory, and belonging. Grounded in post-independence Namibia and shaped by the author’s lived experience, the book examines how individuals navigate loss and identity in dynamic cultural landscapes. Through lyrical storytelling and layered analysis, Nghidinwa offers a powerful meditation on resilience and connection across time and place.

Vivian Castleberry: The Cultural Catalyst

Written by Carol Donovan

This biography explores the personal and professional life of Vivian Castleberry, a legendary Texas journalist and Texas Women’s Hall of Fame inductee. As a trailblazing journalist and role model for women, Castleberry dedicated her career to addressing important issues in Texas and beyond, using her platform to shape public discourse. This book offers readers an in-depth look into the life of a woman whose work continues to influence journalism and public life.

Mothering in a Time of Climate Change Precarity in North America

Edited by Allison Davis and Kimberly C. Merenda

As scientific evidence and observable environmental changes underscore the reality of climate change, the focus on motherhood and parenting practices in this context has grown. Contributors, drawing from their maternal perspectives, examine topics such as the marginalization of mothers within mainstream environmental movements, widely accepted views of motherhood, and the role of mothering in both human and more-than-human ecosystems. They explore how ecologically informed practices of mothering can shift views of motherhood, foster deeper connections with nature, and contribute to more ethical and sustainable advocacy for the environment.

Art, Politics, Beauty: Frida Kahlo, Evita Perón, and Carmen Miranda

Written by Elizabeth Gackstetter Nichols

This interdisciplinary study examines Frida Kahlo, Evita Perón, and Carmen Miranda, focusing on how each used appearance, dress, and self-presentation as artistic, cultural, and political strategies. In doing so, Nichols challenges conventional understandings of women’s leadership by treating beauty work and fashion as meaningful forms of artistic, cultural, and political influence.

Page last updated 4:51 PM, October 6, 2026