A collection of personal essays examining relationships, whiteness,
and masculinity.
Nicholas Ward's debut essay collection, All Who Belong May Enter,
centers on self-exploration and cultural critique. These deeply personal
essays examine whiteness, masculinity, and a Midwest upbringing through
tales of sporting events, parties, posh (and not-so-posh) restaurant
jobs, and the many relationships built and lost along the way. With a
storyteller's spirit, Ward recounts and evaluates the privilege of his
upbringing with acumen and vulnerability. Ward's profound affection for
his friends, family, lovers, pets, and particularly for his chosen home,
Chicago, shines through. This collection offers readers hope for healing
that comes through greater understanding and inquiry into one's self,
relationships, and culture. Through these essays, Ward acknowledges
his position within whiteness and masculinity, and he continuously holds
himself and the society around him accountable.
All Who Belong May Enter was selected by Jaquira Díaz as the winner of
the 2020 Autumn House Nonfiction Prize.