Miss Chloe: A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison

“Passionate, personal, insightful, testy, and unique.” —Kirkus (starred review)

"Verdelle offers us testimony in praise and consideration of life as a literary citizen and Black woman alongside the guiding light of Toni Morrison. This is a holy testimony, indeed, one that deserves to be amen'd forever.” —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"Verdelle gives us the greatest gift—our beloved ancestor returned to us—generous and alive, remembered and revered. So grateful for this book in the world.” —Jacqueline Woodson, author of Another Brooklyn

"If you let a black girl loose in a library, you may not recognize the woman who emerges."

—from Miss Chloe

Toni Morrison, born Chloe A Wofford, was a towering figure in the world of literature when she entered A.J. Verdelle’s life. Their literary friendship was a young writer’s dream—simultaneously exhilarating, intimidating, fulfilling, and challenging. The relationship crossed generations, spanned several cycles in life, exhibited high and low notes, reached and dipped and found its way. Like many women friends, these two writers imagined and built a relationship that was responsive, inventive, and engaged.

Miss Chloe powerfully situates the risks writers face and the freedom they find when they put Black women’s lives into words. Verdelle chronicles her grief at Morrison’s passing, and finds comfort in Morrison’s astute advice—wisdom Verdelle didn’t always recognize at the time. In this pensive and intricately lyrical book, Verdelle honors Morrison among the cultural greats, while illuminating and celebrating the power of language, legacy, and genius.

A. J. Verdelle is the award-winning author of the novel, The Good Negress. She teaches Creative Writing at Morgan State University and at the MFA program at Lesley University. 

This intimate account is more than a tribute—it’s an apprenticeship in life, literature, and the art of friendship.

• Literary Friendship: An up-close portrait of the exhilarating, intimidating, and deeply nurturing relationship between a young writer and her literary idol, the towering figure she simply called Miss Chloe.
• A Tribute to Black Women Writers: Verdelle situates her bond with Morrison within a powerful legacy of Black womanhood, celebrating the risks and freedoms of putting their lives into words.
• A Masterclass on Writing and Genius: Discover the wisdom and astute advice on language and craft that Morrison shared, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a literary giant.
• Mentorship and Memory: A heartfelt exploration of grief, remembrance, and the wisdom gained from a once-in-a-lifetime mentorship that continued to offer guidance long after it ended.