Image courtesy blackspeculativefictionmonth.com
The title says it all. For the next fortnight and some change, people in various corners of the internet will be celebrating Black Speculative Fiction Month by creating and exposing other people to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and other Speculative Fiction built and birthed by People of Color. This is something that I never thought I’d see. Though there is still a lot of education and analysis needed on why Black (and other races, and gender-conscious) Speculative Fiction spaces are so necessary, it’s still good to sit back and celebrate every once in a while.
Given the popularity of my Six Essential Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Written By Black Authors post, my contribution to Black Speculative Fiction Month will be to highlight new and/or forthcoming works by black authors. So, here’s a list! I’ve read, #amreading or intending to read most of these books (excepting the ones that aren’t out yet), and I assure you that there’s something on this list for everyone. So, get amongst:
1. Kabu Kabu – Nnedi Okorafor
Kabu Kabu is a collection of previously published and new short stories by Nnedi Okorafor. I haven’t read it yet, but I love her work, so I’m sure that it’s great.
2. The Seedbearing Prince – DaVaun Sanders
The Seedbearing Prince is an all-ages Sci-Fi tale with crisp writing, an engaging story, and a cool world. I’m reading it now and I’m not disappointed.
3. Skinless – L.M. Davis
L.M. Davis has posted here before. Her Shifters series was amazing, and I’m closing in on the end of Skinless, the first book in her three part Skinless series.
4. Afrofuturism: The Wold of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture – Ytasha L. Womack
Afrofuturism is an examination of…you guessed it, Afrofuturism in contemporary literature and culture. It looks to be a good primer, and one that I definitely want to own in physical form.
5. Mothership – Anthology, Bill Campbell & Edward Austin Hall, Eds.
Forthcoming anthology featuring many amazing PoC authors works of speculative fiction. Keep an eye on this one, it’ll be good.
6. The Constant Tower – Carole McDonnell
Haven’t read this one yet, but I read McDonnell’s previous work, Wind Follower. Great stuff, and I’m sure that this one will be just as great, or even better. Check it out.
7. Long Division – Kiese Laymon
Planning on reading this one very soon. My wife is reading it now. Laymon’s essays are electrifying, and I don’t see why this novel will be anything less than amazing.
Woman of the Woods – Milton Davis
Meji is one of the premiere works of Sword and Soul on my list of amazing things that you should read. Davis’ works never disappoint, and I’m definitely getting this as soon as I whittle my reading list down a bit.
Now, this is by no means a definitive list of important works to read this month. So, if any of you have anything to add (especially more works by women!!!!), drop a line in the comments won’t you? Please? Thanks.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention “LUNEWING Black Faery Anthology” – it’s available for free reading @ http://issuu.com/purplemag/docs/lunewing
Reblogged this on Signal + and commented:
Troy L. Wiggins has written this outstanding post in recognition of Black Speculative Fiction Month. He has shared an essential list of brilliant speculative fiction novels and anthologies by black authors. He will also be highlighting Black SF works and creators throughout the month of August. If you can come up with any great titles that should be added to his list–your suggestions will be very welcome, so hop on over, check out this great post and give Troy a shout-out.
Octavia Butler’s Kindred is like Samuel R. Delaney’s finest works, classics in the genre. But I’d suggest her latest weird novel, the vampire story Fledgling. Very strange in that the main character looks for all the world like a child. There’s also Vic LaVelle’s Big Machine–a really cool novel about black spiritualists who are also detectives. Glad to see my old friend Kiese finally getting his due!
Awesome post and list of books. I own one of these books (Skinless) but haven’t read it yet. The rest will promptly go on my to-read list. Thanks for this post.
Thanks for all that you do
For more women, you should read Valijeanne Jeffers’s works (http://valjeanne.wordpress.com), Crystal Connor (http://www.wordsmithcrystalconnor.blogspot.com/) and Kai Leakes ‘Sin Eaters: Devotion Book One’ (http://kwhp5f.wix.com/kai-leakes)
Thanks for the heads up! I have Valjeanne’s first two books, and I know that she’s been working really hard. I haven’t heard of Kai Leakes, but I’m gonna check her out!
I’m seeing this a bit late, but Bill Jones (a fellow wordpress blogger) is producing a steady stream of great work. You can find his blog here: http://thisblogblank.wordpress.com/
I highly recommend his: The Juice and other stories: http://www.amazon.com/Juice-Other-Stories-Bill-Jones/dp/1490565019/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385565401&sr=1-7