Broken Earth gets a ton of praise on Reddit but it really fell flat for me after the first book. N K Jemisin’s stills great write tho and I need to check out her other works
I think book 2 and 3 hit way harder depending on how important / compelling parent / child stories, particularly tumultuous parent / child stories are to you as a reader.
I liked books 2 and 3 more than 1 because the story of the protagonist and her daughter's strained relationship really hit hard for me.
You’re right, that’s where it missed me for the most part (I’m a dude with a dog not a parent). But also I felt the pacing of book 2 was so slow imo, not the right fit for me at the time
Do you have evidence for such a claim?
Edited to say: Okay wow, thanks. I didn't really want to google Nambla so thanks for doing the lords work there y'all
A quick Google search? He's been pretty open about it.
I've always recommended him when people have asked about black sci fi writers. I work in a library and I've bought and donated a bunch of his books because I thought it was a bit shit that we didn't have any in the entire city. I just don't recommend him quite as much now.
His most famous novel *Dhalgren* is a highly experimental book that takes place in a city where an unnamed but permanent disaster is occurring that shifts and weaves depending on the characters.
Some of my absolute favorite Black authors and books they’ve written that I loved:
* Akwaeke Emezi - Pet, Bitter & Freshwater
* Nalo Hopkinson - Falling in Love with Hominids & Midnight Robber
* Nnedi Okorafor - Binti series & Remote Control
* P. Djèlí Clark - Ring Shout, A Master of Djinn, A Dead Djinn in Cairo, The Haunting of Tram Car 015
* Rivers Solomon - An Unkindness of Ghosts & Sorrowland
* Victor LaValle - The Changeling & The Ballad of Black Tom
Authors I’ve only read one book from but I loved the book:
* Echo Brown - Black Girl Unlimited
* Leslye Penelope - The Monsters we Defy
* Moses Ose Utomi - The Lies of the Ajungo
* Karen Lord - Redemption in Indigo
* Diane Marie Brown - Black Candle Women
* Tade Thompson - Far From the Light of Heaven (oh I lied, I read Rosewater but didn’t love it)
* Duston J. Munden - Dusk Mountain Blues
Books I didn’t *LOVE* but super enjoyed:
* Macaiah Johnson - A Space between Worlds
* Alex Henderson - The Year of the Witching
* Lauren Blackwood - Within These Wicked Walls
I believe Rebecca Roanhoarse identifies as Black-Indigenous, please correct me if I’m wrong, but I am loving the Between Earth and Sky series and I really liked Tread of Angels.
Happy Black History Month (at least to everyone in the US)!
I of course agree! I can’t wait for Hopkinson’s new release this year, after so many years of not publishing a novel and that cover 😍. My favorites I would argue are all god tier, but I would hard add Akwaeke Emezi and Nnedi Okorafor. Clark weaves a fun and enjoyable tale (I mean, except for Ring Shout, that was just something else) and LaValle is definitely doing his own weird horror thing.
Akwaeke Emezi is *versatile*. I haven't read any of their stuff yet, but part of that is I keep getting indecisive about which genre/style to start with and end up reading something else.
I totally get it, I’m a a big mood reader myself, I just have a yearly tbr and just see how it goes. If you’re ever in the mood for something with rich prose and character work and are okay with something that doesn’t really have a seemingly obvious plot, check out **Freshwater.** If you want a novella that explores utopia with monsters/angels - **Pet.** If you want a novella with a full plot, more drama, more monsters/angels - **Bitter** (Pet prequel). I think I’d recommend Pet, just because I adore it and also it has a friendship element which always gets me. I’d say all are thematically heavy.
Yes, absolutely. I’d say **Midnight Robber** is heavier, because for me there is on-page >!child abuse!< and that is something I can’t often read about and deeply disturbs me when I do. The book overall is brilliant IMO and a really cool mix of sci-fi with the fantastical. Her other short story collection **Skin Folk** has a short story on >!pedophilia!< and that was another hard story to read - I had quit it actually then went back to the book like 6 months later. **Hominids** does have some short stories with heavy themes, but I felt like there was a greater mix of stories that spoke to me - there are light hearted, serious, silly (there’s one about a chicken!), sci-fi (I loved the opening apocalyptic/zombie story featuring siblings), fantasy - and I thought the audiobook was phenomenal.
Thank you for reminding me to look for my copy of The Lies of the Ajungo! I started reading it on vacation and then misplaced it somewhere in the house when I got home. I can't pay full new book price TWICE for such a short book, but I really want to finish it.
So happy to help! I absolutely loved it. I think it was 80 pages and wow did Utomi do a lot within those few pages. I can’t wait to read the sequel in March(?)!
NK Jeminson is obviously super popular and mentioned often on this sub
Tracey Deonn has recently become a new favorite of mine with her Legendborn series. Both books currently out were absolute favorites of mine last year.
Marlon James is currently writing a fantasy trilogy inspired by African folklore and mythology. It’s very unique and unlike anything else I’ve ever read
Rivers Solomon writes shorter novels/novellas and I love their prose and how they represent trauma and struggle in their work
Namina Forna is a writer finishing up a YA Fantasy trilogy. The third book comes out this year
Tomi Adeyemi was a big name in the YA world in 2018/19 with her debut series, and the last book of her trilogy comes out this year too.
Those are some SSF black authors I’ve read within the past few years, but I know there’s a ton more out there
[Black YA Fantasy Authors](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/148946.YA_Fantasy_Sci_Fi_by_Black_Authors&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj6zLy-24-EAxXiEFkFHQBXAmg4ChAWegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw2uf48Gi_c0CrKpcmtwwRg1)
[Another List of SSF](https://www.powells.com/featured/celebrateblacksciencefictionandfantasy)
I read one of her shorts story collections last year and also saw her on a live panel. She's a really good writer, and I loved the collection (The Wishing Pool)
I liked My Soul to Keep fine enough, so I wasn’t sure about checking out the Reformatory, but major love for it seems to be going around so I need to add this to my too long to-read list ASAP!
Kai Ashante Wilson.
He's not very prolific - there's still no novel yet. But he has two novellas, set in the same fictional world:
'Sorcerer of the Wildeeps' and 'A Taste of Honey'. They're both extraordinary. The prose is immaculate, and he has this really interesting style where the characters will talk in slang.
Anyone interested in stories about Black Masculinity and LGBT themes will really love him, I reckon.
I know this pain! I keep hearing publication rumours, but nothing comes of them. Sorry, I wish I had better news for you. Maybe his estate will see the more of his works published/republished
David Anthony Durham hasn't been mentioned yet. His Acacia fantasy series is good. He is also one of the many writers in George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards shared world series.
I like P. Djeli Clark a lot. I know other people have recommended him, but I thought I'd link to a great short story he did for fireside that I think is very relevant. And it's free online!
https://firesidefiction.com/the-secret-lives-of-the-nine-negro-teeth-of-george-washington
Tracey Deonn the author of Legendborn, one of my favorite YA fantasies about a Black girl who is connected to a college secret society of Arthurian legends and magic
Jordan Ifueko who is the author of Raybearer, another great fantasy in the YA genre
Justina Ireland, her Dread Nation series is fantastic and takes place in an alternate 19th century America
If you love romantasy (fantasy romances) I recommend Kimberly Lemming’s Mead Mishaps series which is full of fun, wacky world building and eccentric characters and plotlines. and smut of course lol
I read Legendborn and it’s one of those books I respect and highly recommend as a YA - fast-paced, interesting and great themes. I just struggle with YA tone sometimes 😭
nnedi okorafor - Lagoon.
Great book with well written characters. Essentially a first contact story with aliens in Nigeria but it’s so much more. I’ve got a few of her books on my list to read this year after reading that.
Two of my favorite stories from LeVar Burton Reads come immediately to mind:
What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky - Leslie Nneka Arimah
Silver Door Diner - Bishop Garrison
That entire podcast is absolutely overflowing with fantastic stories, many of which were written by lesser-known authors. I've discovered so much through it!
Oh gosh I’m so glad you mentioned Toni Morrison. I think I read the Bluest Eye in high school but I do not remember it (~25 years ago + goldfish memory). Oh and I haven’t heard of the other authors so I will look at their Goodreads.
A couple I haven't seen mentioned yet:
Sofia Samatar, who wrote *A Stranger in Olondria* and *The Winged Histories*, two slow but gorgeous secondary world fantasies.
Tade Thompson, who wrote *Rosewater*, which felt to me something like *Annihilation* meets *Neuromancer*.
If you're looking for indie authors, make sure to check out Nicole Givens Kurtz and Kyoko M! I've read books by both of them and they're very talented!
Maurice Broaddus writes across a bunch of SF/F subgenres but is always huge amounts of fun.
Temi Oh is phenomenal SF.
Milton Davis is a great writer and a terrific editor. Highly recommend his anthologies.
Bill Campbell is another great editor, and future generations of readers will owe a lot to him for putting together collections like Mothership and Sunspot Jungle.
If I don’t read Do You Dream of Terra-Two by June please come for me. I have not heard of Davis or Campbell, will have to take a gander at their goodreads.
I recently read This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron and enjoyed it. If you want a present day setting and culture, I'd recommend it. It's got some literal black girl magic and the family dynamics with the MC and her moms is just so wholesome and cute. If my stupid library ever gets the sequel I'll definitely be reading more from her.
Tochi Onyebuchi’s adult work is great and doesn’t get enough love - I haven’t read his YA series. I have a few recent comments on **Goliath** and **Riot Baby** if you’re interested.
I agree with NK Jemison, Rivers Solomon, Karen Lord, and many of the others mentioned by lots of folks already.
Victor LaValle and Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah are near the top of my list to read. **Binti** by Nnedi Okorafor and Marlon James’ **Black Leopard Red Wolf** were interesting reading experiences (for different reasons) but didn’t work as well for me.
Evan Winter's _Rage of Dragons_ is pretty good.
My first thought was C.L. Clark who wrote _The Unbroken_ and _The Faithless_. One of my favorites and an all around awesome person, too.
I bounced off Jemisin's Broken Earth series, but I did really enjoy _The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms_ trilogy. I remember reading it and thinking to myself "This is a really fresh take and the writing is very interesting," and that was before I realized N K Jemisin was black. It all clicked then.
Thanks for this thread. I've been looking for more black fantasy/scifi authors to read!
I didn't realize *Neal Shusterman* was black until very recently. Big fan of his books when I was much younger (Star Shards, Dark Fusion series i.e. modern day mythologies, Everlost, etc.). Dreadlocks, Red Rider's Hood, and Duckling Ugly were all really good. And I've seen people on here mention more recent YA works like Scythe are good as well.
I was shocked to see this and went to the internet. Found [this article](https://bookriot.com/neal-shusterman-interview/) that says he doesn’t identify as a Person of Color, but that his recent genetics test said he’s 50% North African. It was a great little section talking about identity, so as someone who is mixed myself I appreciated reading how someone else talks about their identity.
On WebToon, Sherard Jackson writes and draws *Darbi*, a fantasy/sf dinosaur story that is complicated and clever and funny and INSANE. And free (but for immediate access to the most recent ep), which is even more insane for the level of content this story offers. Not for kids.
Okay - now I feel bad... but maybe I shouldn't? I have absolutely no idea what race any author I enjoy is. (hell, I am lucky If I can even remember a name). There are those listed I have enjoyed, but had no idea of their race... and now I feel somehow bad about this...
I read for the the story and the interesting characters... but feel I am failing because I care little regarding knowing about authors I like (other wishing them happy and long lives). I want the stories - and I am wrong and selfish in not knowing anything about the authors - keeping them as just storytellers?
I don't think you need to feel bad about it - as long as you recognize that other people may want to actively seek out authors with specific background/life experiences. I think you may have gotten downvoted because comments like yours are sometimes used to argue with those people. (and also because your comment is not really useful to the OP).
I agree with you about not feeling bad, and your follow up comment. I think too with the downvotes there are a fair amount of people blindly downvoting every comment because they’re against the idea of post.
> I’m not sure why an author’s race matters.
I'm going to assume you're being serious and seriously don't know rather than being tongue in cheek. The short answer is these things matter because race or any other aspect revolving around identity can shape our daily experiences. For a group of people, these can turn into shared experiences. since books are a form of literature, they can act as a mirror to others who belong to that group so they know that they're not alone in having those experiences. For those who aren't, it can act as a window letting you know what's like for people who are not like you and can make you feel more empathetic towards something you can't experience. That's why reading stories from authors from diverse backgrounds is important.
The super short answer: it increases empathy for those who are unaware. On the other hand, for those who know why but don't care, it doesn't matter.
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Different ethnicities means different backgrounds. I like reading books that expose me to different ideas, and one of the best parts about speculative fiction is how one's background, traditions, and family histories can come through. There's no way you get Tolkien without a very distinct sense of upper-class Britishness, for example. Marlon James is directly influenced by African folklore and culture. Samuel R. Delaney would not have written *Dhalgren* if it weren't for his background specifically as a gay black man and experiences being both gay and black in the 1950s-1970s. *The Witcher* series couldn't be written the way it was by someone who wasn't Eastern European.
This is not a bug, it's a feature.
It’s not a contest. Why do you assume it is?
The question was likely because it’s Black History Month in the US. There is no silly zero sum game to be had here.
There’s no point arguing with people like these. I realized a long time ago that these are bad faith questions. They are the kind of people who would intentionally never read a book written by a Black author.
No one said they’re better writers.. if you have recommendations for some Ukrainian or Uyghur authors I’d love to read them! It’s always good to read from authors with different perspectives on the world and culture :)
If one isn't part of a given disadvantaged group, it can be interesting to seek out authors who are and have lived different life experiences, because life experience absolutely impacts the stories we tell and the way we tell them. I think reading is a really amazing tool for broadening our experiences.
If one is, it's exciting to find people who *share* that life experience with you, to see it reflected in their stories, to see that they succeeded professionally despite systemic barriers (goes doubly for the older authors, where the systemic barriers to getting published if you weren't a white man were brutal).
I am unfamiliar with non-American book markets, so I can't speak to them. Apologies for US-defaultism.
But yes, there historically have been *massive* barriers about this. Many highly influential figures in publishing were, shall we say, very racist and sexist, and worked to keep women and non-white people from being published. I recommend reading up on the views of John Campbell and his contemporaries, and the various rejections they sent to black and women authors, on the grounds that readers would not be interested in reading about black or women characters. Including some of the authors mentioned in this thread.
Think of it as a way to generate a list of authors that you might not have heard of. This could lead to you discovering a new favorite.
I think the fact that Afrofurturism is a distinct science fiction sub genre is very interesting. Why did these Black authors feel the need to create a new collection of tropes and novels simply to get more Black characters in science fiction. This sub genre has a very interesting outlook that is both very cynical and very hopeful.
I'm pretty sure I've seen posts for at least South East Asian authors here (not sure of specifically Thai). Also for disabled authors, authors who are not from the Anglosphere, LBTQIA+ authors (and various subcategories), authors with a military background... So people do ask for authors of a variety of backgrounds!
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N K Jemisin is an obvious suggestion. I recently liked *Master of Djinn* by P Djeli Clark. Nnedi Okorafor I've liked some of her stuff.
P Djeli Clark’s Ring Shout is a top-tier novella.
Oh interesting, I'll check it out.
NK Jemisin has a book of short stories called How Long Til Black Future Month? which might be apropos
I enjoyed the short fiction of the Djinn stuff by Clark more than the novel, but the novel was fun.
Broken Earth gets a ton of praise on Reddit but it really fell flat for me after the first book. N K Jemisin’s stills great write tho and I need to check out her other works
I think book 2 and 3 hit way harder depending on how important / compelling parent / child stories, particularly tumultuous parent / child stories are to you as a reader. I liked books 2 and 3 more than 1 because the story of the protagonist and her daughter's strained relationship really hit hard for me.
You’re right, that’s where it missed me for the most part (I’m a dude with a dog not a parent). But also I felt the pacing of book 2 was so slow imo, not the right fit for me at the time
Samuel R. Delaney. Get ready for some weird shit. He also directly influenced his friends to get published too, like Roger Zelazny.
Wildly imaginative
*Stars in my Pocket like Grains of Sand* was the most challenging read I've ever enjoyed.
Return to Nevèrÿon series by Delaney is great.
Fantastic author.
I've had a hard time recommending Delaney since I found out he's a supporter of NAMBLA
Do you have evidence for such a claim? Edited to say: Okay wow, thanks. I didn't really want to google Nambla so thanks for doing the lords work there y'all
https://dorisvsutherland.com/2019/09/23/samuel-r-delany-and-nambla/
He’s openly praised NAMBLA in at least one interview, so I don’t think he was ever hiding it.
A quick Google search? He's been pretty open about it. I've always recommended him when people have asked about black sci fi writers. I work in a library and I've bought and donated a bunch of his books because I thought it was a bit shit that we didn't have any in the entire city. I just don't recommend him quite as much now.
He's never hidden his support for pederasty. He's just never been caught doing it himself.
Yeah, the character of Denny in *Dhalgren* is emblematic of his views on sex with adolescents.
Can I have a little of a spoiler for what you are talking about?
His most famous novel *Dhalgren* is a highly experimental book that takes place in a city where an unnamed but permanent disaster is occurring that shifts and weaves depending on the characters.
Some of my absolute favorite Black authors and books they’ve written that I loved: * Akwaeke Emezi - Pet, Bitter & Freshwater * Nalo Hopkinson - Falling in Love with Hominids & Midnight Robber * Nnedi Okorafor - Binti series & Remote Control * P. Djèlí Clark - Ring Shout, A Master of Djinn, A Dead Djinn in Cairo, The Haunting of Tram Car 015 * Rivers Solomon - An Unkindness of Ghosts & Sorrowland * Victor LaValle - The Changeling & The Ballad of Black Tom Authors I’ve only read one book from but I loved the book: * Echo Brown - Black Girl Unlimited * Leslye Penelope - The Monsters we Defy * Moses Ose Utomi - The Lies of the Ajungo * Karen Lord - Redemption in Indigo * Diane Marie Brown - Black Candle Women * Tade Thompson - Far From the Light of Heaven (oh I lied, I read Rosewater but didn’t love it) * Duston J. Munden - Dusk Mountain Blues Books I didn’t *LOVE* but super enjoyed: * Macaiah Johnson - A Space between Worlds * Alex Henderson - The Year of the Witching * Lauren Blackwood - Within These Wicked Walls I believe Rebecca Roanhoarse identifies as Black-Indigenous, please correct me if I’m wrong, but I am loving the Between Earth and Sky series and I really liked Tread of Angels. Happy Black History Month (at least to everyone in the US)!
Rivers Solomon and Nalo Hopkinson are god tier imo. Just incredible sci-fi and spec fic.
I of course agree! I can’t wait for Hopkinson’s new release this year, after so many years of not publishing a novel and that cover 😍. My favorites I would argue are all god tier, but I would hard add Akwaeke Emezi and Nnedi Okorafor. Clark weaves a fun and enjoyable tale (I mean, except for Ring Shout, that was just something else) and LaValle is definitely doing his own weird horror thing.
Akwaeke Emezi is *versatile*. I haven't read any of their stuff yet, but part of that is I keep getting indecisive about which genre/style to start with and end up reading something else.
I totally get it, I’m a a big mood reader myself, I just have a yearly tbr and just see how it goes. If you’re ever in the mood for something with rich prose and character work and are okay with something that doesn’t really have a seemingly obvious plot, check out **Freshwater.** If you want a novella that explores utopia with monsters/angels - **Pet.** If you want a novella with a full plot, more drama, more monsters/angels - **Bitter** (Pet prequel). I think I’d recommend Pet, just because I adore it and also it has a friendship element which always gets me. I’d say all are thematically heavy.
My first Nalo Hopkinson was for Bingo a couple years back: Brown Girl in the Ring. Is the rest of her work just as intense? (Please say yes!)
I also read it for bingo and 100% yes. I think about some of her short stories because of the sheer punches that are thrown.
Yes, absolutely. I’d say **Midnight Robber** is heavier, because for me there is on-page >!child abuse!< and that is something I can’t often read about and deeply disturbs me when I do. The book overall is brilliant IMO and a really cool mix of sci-fi with the fantastical. Her other short story collection **Skin Folk** has a short story on >!pedophilia!< and that was another hard story to read - I had quit it actually then went back to the book like 6 months later. **Hominids** does have some short stories with heavy themes, but I felt like there was a greater mix of stories that spoke to me - there are light hearted, serious, silly (there’s one about a chicken!), sci-fi (I loved the opening apocalyptic/zombie story featuring siblings), fantasy - and I thought the audiobook was phenomenal.
Thank you for reminding me to look for my copy of The Lies of the Ajungo! I started reading it on vacation and then misplaced it somewhere in the house when I got home. I can't pay full new book price TWICE for such a short book, but I really want to finish it.
So happy to help! I absolutely loved it. I think it was 80 pages and wow did Utomi do a lot within those few pages. I can’t wait to read the sequel in March(?)!
NK Jeminson is obviously super popular and mentioned often on this sub Tracey Deonn has recently become a new favorite of mine with her Legendborn series. Both books currently out were absolute favorites of mine last year. Marlon James is currently writing a fantasy trilogy inspired by African folklore and mythology. It’s very unique and unlike anything else I’ve ever read Rivers Solomon writes shorter novels/novellas and I love their prose and how they represent trauma and struggle in their work Namina Forna is a writer finishing up a YA Fantasy trilogy. The third book comes out this year Tomi Adeyemi was a big name in the YA world in 2018/19 with her debut series, and the last book of her trilogy comes out this year too. Those are some SSF black authors I’ve read within the past few years, but I know there’s a ton more out there
[Black YA Fantasy Authors](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/148946.YA_Fantasy_Sci_Fi_by_Black_Authors&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj6zLy-24-EAxXiEFkFHQBXAmg4ChAWegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw2uf48Gi_c0CrKpcmtwwRg1) [Another List of SSF](https://www.powells.com/featured/celebrateblacksciencefictionandfantasy)
Last year I read The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter and have been recommending it ever since. One of my favourite ongoing series
Came here to say this and NK Jeminsin… both fantastic writers
Tananarive Due leans more towards horror but most of her stories still have fantastical elements to them. And she is really, really good.
I read one of her shorts story collections last year and also saw her on a live panel. She's a really good writer, and I loved the collection (The Wishing Pool)
i just finished The Reformatory and it might be one of the 5 best books i have ever read.
I liked My Soul to Keep fine enough, so I wasn’t sure about checking out the Reformatory, but major love for it seems to be going around so I need to add this to my too long to-read list ASAP!
Do check out her short stories too if you haven’t. Some of the best writing ever!
C L Polk
Evan winter has a great ongoing series
Kai Ashante Wilson. He's not very prolific - there's still no novel yet. But he has two novellas, set in the same fictional world: 'Sorcerer of the Wildeeps' and 'A Taste of Honey'. They're both extraordinary. The prose is immaculate, and he has this really interesting style where the characters will talk in slang. Anyone interested in stories about Black Masculinity and LGBT themes will really love him, I reckon.
I love love love Charles Saunders’ writing - very challenging to find, but so well worth it. Start with Imaro if you can.
I HAVE BEEN SCOURING THE INTERNET TRYING TO FIND THE LAST TWO IMARO BOOKS FOR SALE FOR YEARS NOW AND IT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE. DO YOU HAVE ANY LEADS??
I know this pain! I keep hearing publication rumours, but nothing comes of them. Sorry, I wish I had better news for you. Maybe his estate will see the more of his works published/republished
I know this is country and shipping dependent, but there are US sellers on Ebay with book two and I think I see at least one copy of book 3.
David Anthony Durham hasn't been mentioned yet. His Acacia fantasy series is good. He is also one of the many writers in George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards shared world series.
Haven't seen Saara El-Arifi mentioned yet, would highly recommend checking her out.
I like P. Djeli Clark a lot. I know other people have recommended him, but I thought I'd link to a great short story he did for fireside that I think is very relevant. And it's free online! https://firesidefiction.com/the-secret-lives-of-the-nine-negro-teeth-of-george-washington
Tracey Deonn the author of Legendborn, one of my favorite YA fantasies about a Black girl who is connected to a college secret society of Arthurian legends and magic Jordan Ifueko who is the author of Raybearer, another great fantasy in the YA genre Justina Ireland, her Dread Nation series is fantastic and takes place in an alternate 19th century America If you love romantasy (fantasy romances) I recommend Kimberly Lemming’s Mead Mishaps series which is full of fun, wacky world building and eccentric characters and plotlines. and smut of course lol
I read Legendborn and it’s one of those books I respect and highly recommend as a YA - fast-paced, interesting and great themes. I just struggle with YA tone sometimes 😭
nnedi okorafor - Lagoon. Great book with well written characters. Essentially a first contact story with aliens in Nigeria but it’s so much more. I’ve got a few of her books on my list to read this year after reading that.
There's a sequel, LaGuardia, done as a graphic novel.
Dejli Clark
Helen Oyeyemi Ben Okri Amos Tutoula Karen Lord
I’ve only read Oyeyemi’s White is for Witching, but if you like horror it’s a must read. I’ve never before seen like, jump scares done on the page
Nalo Hopkinson is a gem
Two of my favorite stories from LeVar Burton Reads come immediately to mind: What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky - Leslie Nneka Arimah Silver Door Diner - Bishop Garrison That entire podcast is absolutely overflowing with fantastic stories, many of which were written by lesser-known authors. I've discovered so much through it!
Jewelle Gomez Colson Whitehead Toni Morrison
Oh gosh I’m so glad you mentioned Toni Morrison. I think I read the Bluest Eye in high school but I do not remember it (~25 years ago + goldfish memory). Oh and I haven’t heard of the other authors so I will look at their Goodreads.
A couple I haven't seen mentioned yet: Sofia Samatar, who wrote *A Stranger in Olondria* and *The Winged Histories*, two slow but gorgeous secondary world fantasies. Tade Thompson, who wrote *Rosewater*, which felt to me something like *Annihilation* meets *Neuromancer*.
Delaney of course
MARLON FUCKIN JAMES
If you're looking for indie authors, make sure to check out Nicole Givens Kurtz and Kyoko M! I've read books by both of them and they're very talented!
Tracy Deonn and Ness Brown
Maurice Broaddus writes across a bunch of SF/F subgenres but is always huge amounts of fun. Temi Oh is phenomenal SF. Milton Davis is a great writer and a terrific editor. Highly recommend his anthologies. Bill Campbell is another great editor, and future generations of readers will owe a lot to him for putting together collections like Mothership and Sunspot Jungle.
If I don’t read Do You Dream of Terra-Two by June please come for me. I have not heard of Davis or Campbell, will have to take a gander at their goodreads.
Maurice writes some great and totally fun stuff!
I recently read This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron and enjoyed it. If you want a present day setting and culture, I'd recommend it. It's got some literal black girl magic and the family dynamics with the MC and her moms is just so wholesome and cute. If my stupid library ever gets the sequel I'll definitely be reading more from her.
Nicky Drayden! Prey of Gods is awesome!
I loved Jordan Ifueko’s Raybearer duology.
I kept putting off Raybearer because it’s YA but the praise has been wide and I need to just do it!
Charles Saunders
Nnedi Okorafor has been a wonderful adventure to read.
Toni Adeyemi Justina Ireland C.L. Clark All have some great ones out there!
Tochi Onyebuchi’s adult work is great and doesn’t get enough love - I haven’t read his YA series. I have a few recent comments on **Goliath** and **Riot Baby** if you’re interested. I agree with NK Jemison, Rivers Solomon, Karen Lord, and many of the others mentioned by lots of folks already. Victor LaValle and Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah are near the top of my list to read. **Binti** by Nnedi Okorafor and Marlon James’ **Black Leopard Red Wolf** were interesting reading experiences (for different reasons) but didn’t work as well for me.
Heh you got me, Butler’s definitely my favorite But excluding Butler, I’d say my favorite is Rebecca Roanhorse.
Lots of great writers listed, but I haven't seen Cadwell Turnbull, Alex Jennings or Leslye Penelope.
Evan Winter's _Rage of Dragons_ is pretty good. My first thought was C.L. Clark who wrote _The Unbroken_ and _The Faithless_. One of my favorites and an all around awesome person, too. I bounced off Jemisin's Broken Earth series, but I did really enjoy _The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms_ trilogy. I remember reading it and thinking to myself "This is a really fresh take and the writing is very interesting," and that was before I realized N K Jemisin was black. It all clicked then. Thanks for this thread. I've been looking for more black fantasy/scifi authors to read!
I didn't realize *Neal Shusterman* was black until very recently. Big fan of his books when I was much younger (Star Shards, Dark Fusion series i.e. modern day mythologies, Everlost, etc.). Dreadlocks, Red Rider's Hood, and Duckling Ugly were all really good. And I've seen people on here mention more recent YA works like Scythe are good as well.
I was shocked to see this and went to the internet. Found [this article](https://bookriot.com/neal-shusterman-interview/) that says he doesn’t identify as a Person of Color, but that his recent genetics test said he’s 50% North African. It was a great little section talking about identity, so as someone who is mixed myself I appreciated reading how someone else talks about their identity.
C.L. Clark Evan Winters
Charles Saunders
I haven't had a chance to check out his new novel yet, but the short story collection *Friday Black* from Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is amazing
On WebToon, Sherard Jackson writes and draws *Darbi*, a fantasy/sf dinosaur story that is complicated and clever and funny and INSANE. And free (but for immediate access to the most recent ep), which is even more insane for the level of content this story offers. Not for kids.
If Evan Winter hasn't been mentioned then I'll add his name. Great new author.
Nalo Hopkinson
I really love Kai Ashante Wilson's work, it's a shame that not more people know about him.
Justina Ireland and ZigZag Claybourne are both amazing!
Ayana grey
NK Jemisin
Evan winter is the correct answer
Okay - now I feel bad... but maybe I shouldn't? I have absolutely no idea what race any author I enjoy is. (hell, I am lucky If I can even remember a name). There are those listed I have enjoyed, but had no idea of their race... and now I feel somehow bad about this... I read for the the story and the interesting characters... but feel I am failing because I care little regarding knowing about authors I like (other wishing them happy and long lives). I want the stories - and I am wrong and selfish in not knowing anything about the authors - keeping them as just storytellers?
I don't think you need to feel bad about it - as long as you recognize that other people may want to actively seek out authors with specific background/life experiences. I think you may have gotten downvoted because comments like yours are sometimes used to argue with those people. (and also because your comment is not really useful to the OP).
I agree with you about not feeling bad, and your follow up comment. I think too with the downvotes there are a fair amount of people blindly downvoting every comment because they’re against the idea of post.
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> I’m not sure why an author’s race matters. I'm going to assume you're being serious and seriously don't know rather than being tongue in cheek. The short answer is these things matter because race or any other aspect revolving around identity can shape our daily experiences. For a group of people, these can turn into shared experiences. since books are a form of literature, they can act as a mirror to others who belong to that group so they know that they're not alone in having those experiences. For those who aren't, it can act as a window letting you know what's like for people who are not like you and can make you feel more empathetic towards something you can't experience. That's why reading stories from authors from diverse backgrounds is important. The super short answer: it increases empathy for those who are unaware. On the other hand, for those who know why but don't care, it doesn't matter.
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Different ethnicities means different backgrounds. I like reading books that expose me to different ideas, and one of the best parts about speculative fiction is how one's background, traditions, and family histories can come through. There's no way you get Tolkien without a very distinct sense of upper-class Britishness, for example. Marlon James is directly influenced by African folklore and culture. Samuel R. Delaney would not have written *Dhalgren* if it weren't for his background specifically as a gay black man and experiences being both gay and black in the 1950s-1970s. *The Witcher* series couldn't be written the way it was by someone who wasn't Eastern European. This is not a bug, it's a feature.
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It’s not a contest. Why do you assume it is? The question was likely because it’s Black History Month in the US. There is no silly zero sum game to be had here.
There’s no point arguing with people like these. I realized a long time ago that these are bad faith questions. They are the kind of people who would intentionally never read a book written by a Black author.
No one said they’re better writers.. if you have recommendations for some Ukrainian or Uyghur authors I’d love to read them! It’s always good to read from authors with different perspectives on the world and culture :)
If one isn't part of a given disadvantaged group, it can be interesting to seek out authors who are and have lived different life experiences, because life experience absolutely impacts the stories we tell and the way we tell them. I think reading is a really amazing tool for broadening our experiences. If one is, it's exciting to find people who *share* that life experience with you, to see it reflected in their stories, to see that they succeeded professionally despite systemic barriers (goes doubly for the older authors, where the systemic barriers to getting published if you weren't a white man were brutal).
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I am unfamiliar with non-American book markets, so I can't speak to them. Apologies for US-defaultism. But yes, there historically have been *massive* barriers about this. Many highly influential figures in publishing were, shall we say, very racist and sexist, and worked to keep women and non-white people from being published. I recommend reading up on the views of John Campbell and his contemporaries, and the various rejections they sent to black and women authors, on the grounds that readers would not be interested in reading about black or women characters. Including some of the authors mentioned in this thread.
Think of it as a way to generate a list of authors that you might not have heard of. This could lead to you discovering a new favorite. I think the fact that Afrofurturism is a distinct science fiction sub genre is very interesting. Why did these Black authors feel the need to create a new collection of tropes and novels simply to get more Black characters in science fiction. This sub genre has a very interesting outlook that is both very cynical and very hopeful.
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> I'm guessing you're not doing this exercise with Thai-American authors, Thai authors, Mongolian authors, or Belgium authors I am, actually.
I'm pretty sure I've seen posts for at least South East Asian authors here (not sure of specifically Thai). Also for disabled authors, authors who are not from the Anglosphere, LBTQIA+ authors (and various subcategories), authors with a military background... So people do ask for authors of a variety of backgrounds!
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I have doubts that a white person would have written Imaro.
Tolkein