Though almost absent in the early years of science fiction, the number of black authorsand the recognition of their workis growing year by. First book of max gladstones craft sequence three parts dead has a black protagonist, the next 3 have different main characters, but she will come back as the protagonist of the next book. If you loved the subsaharan african setting of the blockbuster marvel movie black panther and find yourself keen to read some adult fantasy and science fiction with similar settings, then here are 12 books to check out read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be checking any of them out. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but is a great intro to some amazing science fiction, fantasy and horror books, which are sorely needed in black homes, schools, libraries and cultural centers worldwide.
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. I want to walk into a bookstore one day and see books in categories like fantasy, science fiction, and screenplays. Adeyemi creates a rich, compelling nigerian fantasy bursting with action, adventure, and magic. Are there any black african americans that write fantasy novels. Dec 05, 2018 butler is a pioneer of the scifiurban fantasy genre for african american authors. Some years ago, i existed as a slightly chubby and extremely black fan of fantasy, comic books. New release fiction african american urban books alibris. Are there any black african americans that write fantasy. Top 20 african american book blogs and websites in 2020. The world of black scifi and fantasy culture and the encyclopedia of black comics are fantastic evidence of this rich hub of black art. Feb 11, 2015 ive loved fantasy and science fiction novels ever since i picked up a wrinkle in time in elementary school.
Books with black women heroines in paranormal romance, urban fantasy or science fiction who kick butt or are strong. New young adult and middle grade listens 7 mustlisten nonfiction audiobooks by african american authors 8 collections by black authors to listen to now 5 classic african american authors you should know 5 mustlisten audiobooks by black writers for teens and young readers. Theres a long literary strain of science fiction and fantasy that draws on african and african american folklore, from masters like ben. In these fifteen superb stories, this essential author of african american fiction gives us compelling portraits of a wide range of unforgettable characters, from sassy children to cunning old men, in scenes shifting between uptown new york and rural north. Studies have shown that, in the general population, science fiction and fantasy has an impact on the teaching of values and critical. If i were to ask you to name a popular black science fiction or fantasy author most people can think of two names, if that, octavia e butler and samuel r. Marlon james reveals first details of african fantasy trilogy. Okorafor and other africanamerican speculative fiction writers have risen to prominence, demonstrating that theres an. Some individual titles may be sorted according to their series and not listed individually.
Nnedi okorafor and the fantasy genre she is helping redefine. Clarke award for science fiction literature in 2011, this work of fantasy noir tells of zinzi december, journalistturnedscammer who has been animalled. Butler is a pioneer of the scifiurban fantasy genre for african american authors. 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. May 08, 20 six essential fantasy and science fiction books written by black authors troy l. Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors, including books in every genre from literary fiction to personal memoirs. Black leopard, red wolf is the first installment of a trilogy about a man named tracker who crosses a fantasy land looking for a missing boy, with mysterious hunters and a shapeshifter known as leopard along for the ride. Oct 25, 2018 though the books on these lists need not be american in origin, i am looking for books that evoke some aspect of american life, actual or intellectual, in each decadea global lens would require a much longer list. This book includes eight of hurstons lost harlem gems.
Sep 18, 2014 below is a list of some of the better and more unique works for ya readers, aged 1218. In 1925, zora neale hurston was living in new york as a fledgling writer. Nigerianamerican author tomi adeyemi, 24, was inspired by west african mythology. African folklore is just as rich and just as perverse as that shit, he said in an interview. Looking for fantasy novels by african american authors i know there have been other threads like this, but the requests were too different or open ended.
Discover the best african american fantasy fiction in best sellers. African american speculative fiction for kids fledgling. Now i was lucky for landing a contract with an absolutely fantastic publishing company called muse it up, who had no problem qualms or hesitations with my book full of. Dec 27, 2018 my best of books include non fiction, fiction, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, memoir, and short stories. Nnedimma nkemdili nnedi okorafor formerly okoraformbachu. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Jan 22, 2019 classics of african fantasy the famished road by ben okri. Six essential fantasy and science fiction books written by. If your book is good, everyone will read it no matter where it is in the bookstore. Download and listen to africanamerican fiction audio books featuring best sellers and toprated customer favorites. I was making the leap from picture books to chapter books, and was pleased to find out that chapter books werent stuck by the boring bustle 10 fantasy and science fiction books. Shop fiction african american erotica books at alibris. 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.
In 2015, brittle paper named her the african literary person of the year. Dont miss these fantastic ya books by black authors that release this year. I was in a gift shop there and the african gods and. Nnedi okorafor and the fantasy genre she is helping. This is definitely more on the surrealist end of fantasy. Six essential fantasy and science fiction books written by black authors troy l. Science fiction and fantasy books by black authors you need to. Some years ago, i existed as a slightly chubby and extremely black fan of fantasy, comic books, role playing games, and anime. This category includes all fantasy novels written by authors from andor living in the united states.
Books of interest to african americans and people of color. Black women heroines in urban fantasy, paranormal romance. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. We need a black girl fantasy book every month sarah hughes author of children of blood and bone says her debut novel was a response to genre fiction in which the characters. Top 20 favorite books by black authors in 2018 youtube.
Very diverse top 20 books featuring books written by black, afro latina, and lgtbq authors. You might call it mythical realism or historical fiction, but. A variety of literary, cultural, and political developments during the 1950s and 60s, including the heightened visibility of hansberry, kennedy, walker, and brooks, the expanding presence of black womens experience and expressive traditions in african american writing, and the impact of the womens. Originally posted this on be sure to sign up, and add me as a friend to see videos that i cant post on y. Discover the best african american literature in best sellers. Their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston, the color purple by alice walker, beloved by toni morrison. Inspired by a row over the hobbit and the desire to geek the hell out of. Jemisin, the first black author to win a hugo award for best novel, is one of a growing number of writers. 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. This is the first african title ive ever had to borrow, read and return, before planning my own purchase. The famished road is nigerian author ben okris most wellknown work and won the man booker prize in 1991. Oct 06, 2017 nnedi okorafor and the fantasy genre she is helping redefine.
Its the first in a trilogy of books from the perspective of an abiku, a spirit child, who can travel to the spirit world while living in our reality. The famished road is nigerian author ben okris most wellknown work. Ina is a young girl seemingly with amnesia, who possess some odd abilities. Tomi adeyemi born august 1, 1993 is a nigerianamerican novelist and creative writing coach. Nnedi okorafor was born in the united states to two nigerian parents. Shop fiction african american urban books at alibris. In an interview with playstation lifestyle, godfall creative director keith lee describes some of the games inspirations, saying, brandon sandersons ongoing the stormlight archive series, joe abercrombies the first law trilogy and isaac asimovs foundation series sets the tone and texture of our fantasy world. Hes jamaican rather than african american, but marlon james is supposed to be releasing the first book in an africainspired fantasy series this year. African american literature african american literature renaissance in the 1970s.
To celebrate black history month i would like to share a few extraordinary african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors with you. African american fiction, american fiction, books barnes. Nigerian american nnedia okorafors writes african based science fiction stories. Best books by black female authors fiction, nonfiction. Wiggins may 8, 20 i think that ive told my awakening story before. Most are from a christian perspective biographies, devotionals, bibles, childrens books, urban christian fiction. After decades of dwarfs and elves, writers of color redefine fantasy. Mar 10, 2018 childrens fantasy books childrens and teens. Her novel who fears death won the world fantasy award for best novel. Jan 11, 2017 marlon james has revealed the first details of his forthcoming fantasy trilogy, expected to begin appearing next year.
After all its still commonplace to find any of these authors shelved haphazardly in one teeny african american interests section at your. Looking for fantasy novels by africanamerican authors reddit. 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. Looking for fantasy novels by africanamerican authors.
She is best known for binti, who fears death, zahrah the windseeker, akata witch, and lagoon. If i were to ask you to name a popular black science fiction or fantasy author most people can think of two names, if. Find the books you want all in one place and at prices youll love. Delaney april 1, 1942 samuel chip delaney has the distinction of not only being the first known and notable african american scifi author but also the first openly gay scifi author as well. Trying to find epichigh, medieval fantasy written by african americans is very difficult. She is known for her book children of blood and bone, the first in the legacy of orisha trilogy published by henry holt books for young readers, which won the 2018 andre norton award for young adult science fiction and fantasy and is a finalist for. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon kindle store best sellers. List of african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors. This collection of stories, found in archives after her death, reveal african american folk culture in harlem in the 1920s. I was making the leap from picture books to chapter books, and was pleased to find out.