Of course, octavia butler tops any list of black science fiction and speculative fiction writers. This is a list of black science fiction and fantasy authors that i decided to write in the wake of the controversial posts made in the last couple of days here and here about fireside fictions study on the lack of black authors published in sff short fiction magazines. Speculative fiction is the literature of change and discovery. Her teacher bobby nock, a twentyfiveyearold african american man, is the prime suspect after illicit text messages are discovered between themand jessicas blood is found in his car. Science fiction and fantasy books by black authors you. Here she recommends five works of african american literature, from greats like zora neale hurston and toni morrison to lesserknown gems by ann petry. Home genres africanamerican literature 12 books written by black authors you wont be able to put down 12 books written by black authors you wont be able to put down. Five indigenous speculative fiction authors you should be reading. Jun 22, 2017 science fiction short story collections by authors of color amy diegelman jun 22, 2017.
Jun 26, 2018 here, focus lies on science fiction based on modern science and technology, which began to take shape during the second half of the nineteenth century. Aug 07, 2016 the problem is that there just isnt enough homegrown scientific innovation or science fiction in film and literature to say exactly how the two influence each other. Icymi, its black history monthwhich, of course, is not the only time you should be reading books by black authors. There has never been a better time than right now to be a reader of african literature, especially in the united states historically, an underdeveloped nation in this regard. Some years ago, i existed as a slightly chubby and extremely black fan of fantasy, comic books, role playing games, and anime. Also, these are some of the best science fiction authors to address the question of what it means to be human, and they use science and technology to search for the answer to this question. Another ya fantasy by a nigerian american author, beasts made of night.
African american science fiction and fantasy and their origins black speculative fiction often focuses on race and the history of race relations in western society. While acknowledged masters from the genres golden age reached the height of their powers, a new wave of brilliant young voices emerged, upending the genres pulp conventions with newfound literary sophistication. After decades of dwarfs and elves, writers of color redefine fantasy. Jul 14, 2016 canadianbritish science fiction and fantasy author geoff ryman, author of the incredible novel was, has begun a series in which he profiles 100 working science fiction and fantasy writers in afric. Below, youll find a list of black science fiction and fantasy authors. Here, focus lies on science fiction based on modern science and technology, which began to take shape during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Black science fiction or black speculative fiction is an umbrella term that covers a variety of activities within the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres where people of the african diaspora take part or are depicted. Nigerianamerican nnedia okorafors writes africanbased science fiction stories. The characters try to survive in societies governed by rightwing theocracies where alien viruses mutate men into monsters and almost all of humankind has been wiped out by nuclear war. Feb 12, 2017 if you didnt know, february has been marked as black history month in the united states since 1926, which has served as an annual observance of noteworthy people and events of the african diaspora. While science fiction authors of the jet age were busy imagining what it would be like if martians invaded earth, ray bradbury was working with a more plausible premise. A selected list novels and short stories dealing with african american life are an important part of our collection. The best african american literature five books expert. In three stories from ivor hartmanns groundbreaking anthology afrosf. Jun 27, 2018 five indigenous speculative fiction authors you should be reading. Six essential fantasy and science fiction books written by. The story of two nigerians making their way in the u. The bestselling novel from the awardwinning author of we should all be feminists and dear ijeawele.
Submissions are allowed for fiction and non fiction topics except science fiction, poetry, plays or fantasy. Science fiction by african writers 2012, nedine moonsamy finds an array of alternative futures that, she posits, are not. This urban books publisher specializes in africanamerican topics. Fifteenyearold jessica silver, heiress to a billiondollar real estate fortune, vanishes on her way home from school. About us started in 1997, african american literature book club is the largest, most frequently visited web site of its kind. The 100 best scifi books to take you to infinity and beyond. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers.
May 08, 20 six essential fantasy and science fiction books written by black authors troy l. I agree that my books should be placed in the science fiction and fantasy section, but i want my books in the african american section as well. Wiggins may 8, 20 i think that ive told my awakening story before. After wakanda5 black scifi writers you should know. In another, echoing an american history never referenced in the book, they not only.
May 22, 2019 here are some of the best science fiction books space. Despite that, im including this list because most other lists of sciencefiction books tend to be white and male heavy, and trumpeting the achievements of black authors should help balance that out a little bit. But every now and then, a book comes along that changes the rules of science fiction and fantasy for everybody. In addition to her novels for adults, shes written prizewinning young adult books including akata witch, zahrah the windseeker, and the shadow speaker, and a childrens book long juju man. But i might have outgrown science fiction quickly, moved on to books about horses and. And that book selector thought itd be a really good idea to add your book to the library collection. The stars of modern sf pick the best science fiction. Tomi adeyemi is a nigerianamerican writer whose debut novel children of blood and bonewinner of both the 2018 andre norton award for young adult science fiction and fantasy and the 2019 lodestar award for best young adult bookdraws heavily from african mythology and history. Delany was hailed as the best sciencefiction writer in the world on the basis of nova 1968, a whitehot, fastpaced, protocyberpunk interstellar adventure featuring a misfit crew on a highstakes quest. Science fiction and fantasy books by black authors you need. Farah jasmine griffin is an american academic and professor specializing in african american literature.
Recommended black science fiction and fantasy authors. Discover the best african american science fiction in best sellers. Im using black instead of africanamerican because a number of these authors are not american. On saturday afternoon, tor books and the imagineering interest group iig of the library and information technology association brought together four esteemed science fiction and fantasy authors to discuss representations of underrepresented, lgbtq, and gender nonbinary characters in their fiction. Our fictionafrican american audio collection offers a wide variety of great titles to choose from. For one thing, neither african science fiction nor african innovation are clearly defined terms. This list includes middle grade, young adult, and adult books.
As usual, i enlisted the help of others, and below is the list edi, doret, ari, and i compiled. Five indigenous speculative fiction authors you should be. A century of speculative fiction from the african diaspora and dark matter. Our inventory of fictionafrican american books includes works from prominent authors like. Six essential fantasy and science fiction books written by black authors troy l. The history of slavery, the african diaspora, and the civil rights movement sometimes influence the narrative of sf stories written by black authors. These mustread african fantasy novels explore new worlds, utilize. Submissions are allowed for fiction and nonfiction topics except science fiction, poetry, plays or fantasy. The rage of dragons by evan winter, black leopard, red wolf by marlon james, the water dancer by tanehisi. Science fiction and fantasy books by black authors you need to.
For more submission details, visit their submission page. After edi read my slj article, she suggested i compile a list of african american speculative fiction scifi, fantasy, paranormal, time travel, alternate history, dystopia, horror, etc. African american science fiction authors topics aalbc. Reading the bones are anthologies of science fiction and fantasy short fiction by black authors edited by sheree r. Ask people to name black authors of science fiction and fantasy and only a few names will be repeated, if any names are known at all.
Feb 20, 2019 from literary icons to fresh, buzzworthy talent, here are 25 great books by african american authors you should add to your reading list today. Jun 12, 2018 4 email protected rising edited by matthew david goodwin a lot of the coolest stuff in science fiction right now is happening not only in published books and novels, but in short stories. Science fiction short story collections by authors of color amy diegelman jun 22, 2017. Ron hubbard presents writers of the future volume 36. Once you get more specific, though, its clear that there as many ways to write about science fiction as there are individual authors. Discover the best african american literature in best sellers. In 20, the science fiction and fantasy writers of america named delany its 30th sfwa grand master.
Check out these amazing short story collections by authors of color. Talented black authors stand out in all the major categories. Contrary to some other authors, there are some of us who dont mind being classified as african american writers. But its a nice reminder that when you find yourself reaching for the notebook. Of course, octavia butler tops any list of black sciencefiction and speculativefiction writers. Once again, we have the great privilege of being the conduit for unapologetic diverse expression. Many genre authors from marginalized backgrounds get their start in short fiction. The 100 best scifi books to take you to infinity and. Nigerian american nnedia okorafors writes african based science fiction stories. We continue our campaign of highlighting, celebrating, and developing science fiction, speculative fiction, sword and soul, fantasy, horror, movies, and games, in a print magazine as well as an emag. An evergrowing body of authors are writing about the reality of what it means to be black in america, says farah jasmine griffin, director of the institute for research in african american studies at columbia university.
Here are 15 mustlistens from todays most acclaimed and topselling african american authors. This is a list of fantasy, science fiction, or speculative fiction being published by black authors in 2019. Some of its defining characteristics include a critique of the social structures leading to black oppression paired with an investment in social change. So, in celebration of the honorary occasion, were commemorating the best books weve read and recommended to read by black authors. Feb 02, 2011 african american speculative fiction for kids february 2, 2011 by elliottzetta after edi read my slj article, she suggested i compile a list of african american speculative fiction scifi, fantasy, paranormal, time travel, alternate history, dystopia, horror, etc. Pumzi, a kenyan science fiction short film written and directed by wanuri kahiu, imagines a dystopian future 35 years after water wars have torn the world apart. Aug 06, 2019 icymi, its black history monthwhich, of course, is not the only time you should be reading books by black authors. More of a loose collection of stories than a novel united by a central narrative, the vignettes in this book chart the violent conflict. Here are some of the best science fiction books space. Science fiction short story collections by authors of color. Explore a compelling selection of books including homegoing, open city and the water dancer to name a few to name a few. Diversity in science fiction american libraries magazine. The list of authors they include are long quite a few authors listed in this post are included as well as many others.
Browse african american ebooks to read online or download in epub or pdf format on your mobile device and pc. It just occurred to me that its possible the africanamerican section has a different book selector than the science fiction and fantasy or entire fiction collection. Canadianbritish science fiction and fantasy author geoff ryman, author of the incredible novel was, has begun a series in which he profiles 100 working science fiction and. Ransford professor of english and comparative literature and african american studies and director elect of the institute for research in african american studies iraas at columbia university. Africanamerican science fiction and fantasy and their origins black speculative fiction often focuses on race and the history of race relations in western society. The first african american writer to make a name for himself in the genre, samuel r.
To celebrate black history month i would like to share a few extraordinary african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors with you. Sofia samatar is an upandcoming somaliamerican sff writer. Octavia butlers kindred 1979 is one of a string of novels she penned. In passing and the african american novel, maria giulia fabi writes, less convinced of the libratory potential of. Some of the authors included here draw on american experiences, caribbean folklore, islamic history, modern international politics, and much, much more.
African american speculative fiction for kids fledgling. But since you asked science fiction like many genres has historically excluded authors of. They should be typed, paginated, doublespaced and readable. Amid calls for civil rights and countercultural revolution, female, nonwhite, and other outsider authors. African american science fiction 234 books goodreads. I believe that the title of this list is selfexplanatory. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon kindle store best sellers. Black science fiction or black speculative fiction is an umbrella term that covers a variety of. Apr 10, 2018 this urban books publisher specializes in african american topics. Authors great listens from african american authors. Her novel who fears death won the world fantasy award for best novel. Her teacher bobby nock, a twentyfiveyearold african american man, is the prime suspect after illicit text messages are discovered between them. African american science fiction, fantasy and horror authors.