Derek Attico, award-winning author and John Jay alumnus, hosted a book talk in room 1.115 NB during community hour on Wednesday, December 4th. He spoke about his most recent book, The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko.
Sisko, the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine character the book is about, is not only a crucial figure in the Star Trek franchise, but also represents a larger theme; the underrepresentation of Black Americans in U.S. media.
Sisko became the first Black American captain to lead a Star Trek series on T.V. in 1993 and is still viewed as a representation of a step forward in diversity in the Star Trek franchise.
Attico commented on the meaning that his book holds.
“My book is about humanity, life, and people,” he said. “It is a rich tapestry and texture of culture; preserving history,” said Attico.
The room was filled with not only Star Trek fans and students, but with John Jay staff and faculty that knew Attico during his time at John Jay.
Attico read two passages from his book and let attendees ask questions such as his writing process, the legal aspects of writing a book, and his future plans. During his talk, Attico also talked about the authors that inspired him to being writing: James Baldwin, Octavia Butler, Alexandre Dumas, and William Shakespeare..
Adam McKible, another one of Attico’s former professors, offered sentiments regarding Attico’s book talk and success.
“I am gushing with pride,” he said. “Derek was one of my favorite students and yet another example of how extraordinary John Jay students are,” said McKible.
Another attendee, Kathleen Collins, offered her thoughts on Attico as well. Collins is a librarian in the Lloyd Sealy Library and met Derek when he was a student working there.
While Collins isn’t a Star Trek fan, she was more than happy to show her support for Attico.
“He is such a great presenter,” she said. “The word soulful comes to mind when I think of him,” said Collins.
After his book talk, Attico had one thing to say about how he was feeling.
“It feels really rewarding,” he said. “I feel like I’ve come full circle here at John Jay,” said Attico.
His purpose in writing Benjamin Sisko’s story—and his writing career as a whole—stem from both his love of the Star Trek universe and his passion for justice.
“I want to entertain people and see if somehow I can deliver a message,” said Attico.
Attico majored in English during his time at John Jay and found many mentors in the department. Those professors were people Attico attributes part of his personal and professional development.
“The English department, then and now, is a welcoming and phenomenal institution,” said Attico .
He supported his opinion by commenting on one of his former professors, Adam Berlin.
“Berlin wasn’t too fond of science fiction and it was so great to get a different perspective since I was so deep in science fiction,” he said. “Having someone like him as a professor forced me to write about myself, about human stories,” said Attico.
Attico has also won the Excellence in Playwriting Award from the Dramatist Guild of America and is a two-time winner of the Star Trek Strange New Worlds short story contest and spoke at an event at the Detroit Public Library.
In Detroit, Attico was part of The Color of Sci-Fi event on November 9th. He partook in an author discussion alongside Steven Barnes, a well-known science fiction author.
“The audience was being vulnerable in the types of questions they asked,” Attico said. “One girl was being bullied and asked if we had any advice to help her deal with bullying.”
Attico furthered his sentiments about the event.
“It was a very rewarding conversation, not only between me and him but between us and the audience,” he said.
Despite his success, Attico has faced his fair share of struggles and has jumped major hurdles in his race to publication.
“Not a lot of writers get the opportunity to be approached by a publishing company, certainly not writers of color,” he said. “That, coupled with my health issues, made it difficult,” said Attico.
Attico offered one piece of advice for students at John Jay with high aspirations.
“The worst thing you can do in your life is give up on a dream,” said Attico.
