Beautiful Fire was awarded Best Book of 2020 by the African Literature Association
"The inspired and well crafted poetry of Joyce Ash is a feast of life deepened and intensified through her poetic search for meaning. Here is a poet whose every movement into language challenges us out of our sentimental approaches to living. Her merciless insights translate reality into what it used to be, taking us to the long forgotten world where language, cultural roots, womanhood, and nature itself are experienced as vital parts of the republic of the self. Beautiful Fire is a book that shows us what poetry can be, a book that stays with you long after you have finished reading it." - Amir Or, author of Wings.
"Beautiful Fire radiates intimacy, passion, and sensitivity. This poetry touches us to our deepest core and awakens the warm emotions and humanity we can't ignore. Joyce Ash gathers images into a honeycomb that the reader tastes and keeps on devouring its sweetness. The highly imagistic poems proffer an enduring message that resonates with our private and public selves." - Tanure Ojaide, Poet and Frank Porter Graham Professor of Africana Studies, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte