Darcel Turner

New York native Darcel Turner was born in the Bronx and spent much of her adolescent years in Queens. She attended Long Island University and The College of New Rochelle, she has also audited creative writings classes at Medgar Evers College in New York. In 2003, Darcel founded her book publishing company, “Dances on Paper Press”. Multifaceted and talented, her educational and personal experiences have had a direct and profound influence on her large repertoire of work, crossing numerous borders.

In 1996, Darcel collaborated with Dr. Elizabeth Nunez and Dr. Brenda Greene on the Fourth National Black Writer's Conference. She has danced on internationally renowned stages such as Harlem's Apollo Theater, and can be heard on “For Women”, on the the hip hop artist, Talib Kweli's Reflection Eternal CD. The author of two books titled, Dana Dances on Paper and Lathered Layers, she has also performed at numerous colleges, high schools, The Long Island National Urban League and at popular events such as "Liquid Language" at Barnes and Nobles and "Ladies on the Mic" at The Bowery Poetry Club. Other notable venues she has performed at include the Brooklyn Moon Café and Nuyorican Poets Café.

Darcel has been a featured author at The Harlem Book Fair, Word Canvas (Lit Noire Publishing Events) and Verses at The Nuyorican Poets' Café and has made number of radio and television appearances including Hot Jams with Amanda Diva at Sirius 50 Satellite Hip-hop. Dana Dances on Paper has been promoted on college radio at Dickinson University, Queens College with Abacus at WQMC RADIO and other various universities. She produced and directed her first Won Woman Showcase titled "Dana Dances on Stage" on November 2009, taken from her novel Dana Dances on Paper.

Inspired by the talents of authors such as Zora Neale Hurston, J. California Cooper, Paulo Coehlo and Kahlil Gibran, her novel Dana Dances on Paper has transcended its literary boundaries off the pages and into the hearts of its readers. God, music, dancing and prayer continue to inspire her to write. In turn, she is continuously fueled by her desire to inspire others and reach her ultimate goal of helping to create a better world through Save the Trees.