Notes and Links to Jahmal Mayfield’s Work

   Jahmal Mayfield writes gritty crime novels that touch on large social issues. He was born in Virginia but currently resides in New Jersey. In addition to writing, he serves as the director of a nonprofit program that provides employment support to people with disabilities. Mayfield is a husband and father of two young adults who are both embarrassed by his frequent forays down the rabbit holes of YouTube to view old 90s hip hop videos. SMOKE KINGS was inspired by Kimberly Jones’ passionate viral video, “How can we win?” 

Buy Smoke Kings

Jahmal's Website

Book Review for Smoke Kings from Washington Post, by E.A. Aymar

At about 2:00 , Pete and Jahmal fanboy over Nas and talk “classic” hip hop

At about 3:40 , Jahmal talks about “three phases” of his reading and writing life

At about 4:45 , Jahmal talks about being “a reader first, and a writer second,” and responds to Pete’s question about what he has gotten from his favorite writers

At about 6:00 , Jahmal responds to Pete’s musings about

At about 7:40 , Jahmal expands upon “lean[ing]” into a certain character to use him as a caricature and the reasoning behind the choice

At about 8:25 , Jahmal and Pete discuss the wonderful crime fiction community 

At about 10:25 , The two reflect on Kimberly Jones’ viral video and profound speech and righteous rage

At about 12:30 , The two share much about the book’s exposition and dynamic opening scene

At about 13:25 , Jahmal gives background on Jackson Keeler’s wonderful editing and how the opening came about

At about 14:45 , Jahmal shares how he referenced real historical racist tragedies that informed the racist crimes referenced in the book

At about 15:45 , Jahmal provides background on the book’s main characters and their rationale in seeking revenge 

At about 17:10 , the two discuss the character of Mason, the PI and his arc and treatment

At about 19:30 , Jahmal explains how he aimed to have two characters serve as “counterweights” to Mason

At about 20:55 , Jahmal and Pete reflect scene 

At about 23:15 , Jahmal responds to Pete’s question about the book’s title, also riffing on the evolution of the title and how he tried to “honor the spirit of Kimberly Jones”

At about 25:00 , The two discuss the book’s parallel storylines and Jahmal talks about how the book’s structure came late in the process

At about 27:50 , Pete wonders about Mason and how he views his job

At about 29:15 , The two discuss the escalating levels of violence within the Smoke Kings and the different ways they view their mission

At about 31:20 , Jahmal responds to Pete’s comments on Joshua, the brother of the murdered Darius, as taking a step back; Jahmal remarks on how/why he “kinda sidelined" him

At about 33:00 , Jahmal gives background on Elizabeth and her character as representative  

At about 35:35 , Jahmal talks about the significance of the names of the white supremacist characters and their characteristics 

At about 37:55 , Jahmal reflects on a tagline for the book, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves

At about 39:45 , The two reflect on Colin Kaepernick’s protests and how it connects to ideas of racial justice

At about 43:10 , Jahmal responds to Pete’s questions about the systematic versus the individual, in connection to the book

At about 46:30 , Jahmal gives some previews of his future writing path

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    Please tune in for Episode 290 with second time guest Ruben Reyes, Jr. His debut story collection, There is a Rio Grande in Heaven, was a finalist for The Story Prize. Archive of Unknown Universes is his first novel, an inventive and original one, and it was published in July 2025.

   The episode airs today, August 26.

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