Telling Stories That Echo Through Generations
American pop culture, colorism, and the generational trauma of racism intertwine in stories that demand to be told. Through compelling narratives that bridge past and present, Crystal Smith Paul’s writing helps readers discover how history shapes who we become.
meet crystal smith paul
A compelling voice in contemporary literature
Crystal Smith Paul brings over a decade of storytelling expertise to her exploration of American family histories.
Her journey through Spelman College, UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, and NYU's Graduate School of Journalism has shaped her unique perspective on narrative and truth-telling.
From her early career as a paralegal at the Department of Justice to editing work with notable voices like Marc Lamont Hill and 9th Wonder, Crystal's path has been marked by a dedication to uncovering and sharing powerful stories.
Her writing, featured in Salon, Jezebel, and The Huffington Post, examines the complex intersections of race, identity, and family legacy.
Based in Southern California, Crystal crafts narratives that resonate with readers seeking to understand their own family histories and the forces that shape American identity.
A multigenerational saga that shifts between the Jim Crow era and the present day as an act of racial violence splits a family tree into Black, White, and something in between.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? Was chosen as Reese's Book Club May 2025 Pick and featured as the Book of the Month Club May pick, establishing her as a standout new voice in contemporary fiction.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
read did You Hear About Kitty Karr
THE DEBUT NOVEL
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the reviews are in
"An intoxicating & thrilling debut"...
"An intoxicating & thrilling debut drawing you into an underground Hollywood world that is as glamorous as it is dangerous. Kitty Karr is an iconoclastic, complicated, and fascinating woman, whose legacy is as relevant as ever today Crystal Smith Paul is a thrilling new voice in fiction and I cannot wait to see what she does next.”
Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo & Carrie Soto is Back
"An intoxicating & thrilling debut"...
"A compelling odyssey into the consequences our choices" ...
"A compelling odyssey into the consequences our choices can have across history and generations, the psychic toll and moral complexities of those choices, and the devastating secrets hidden behind even the most glamorous and opulent of lives and the most “pristine” family trees. An immensely entertaining debut.”
Christine Pride, Co-author of We Are Not Like Them
"Kitty Karr Tate epitomizes the American Dream" ...
"A success fueled by bold ambition, ingenuity, and a healthy dose of breathtaking beauty. She is the heroine to whom any reader can seamlessly direct their imagination. In this sweeping and dazzling debut, I was ushered behind the velvet rope guarding the pristine glamour of Old Hollywood and whispered the wildly complex secrets hidden by larger-than-life on-screen personas.
Nothing is as it seems, and indeed the truth was infinitely more intriguing than the façade. Propulsive and entertaining, with broad historical relevance and critical cultural significance, this is the uniquely American story we all need to read—it holds a piece of all of us. I absolutely loved it and will be looking forward to more from Crystal Smith Paul.”
Jayne Allen Bestselling author of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
"Kitty Karr Tate epitomizes the American Dream" ...
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