What do you think?
Black Arts: Stories – A Supernatural Story Collection
The very first story collection from the critically acclaimed, visionary author of the novels Lakewood, The Women Could Fly, and Meet Me at the Crossroads
Over three genre-busting novels, Megan Giddings has emerged as one of the most celebrated and inspiring authors at work today. She has been compared to such luminaries as Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, and Jordan Peele, yet her voice is singular and distinctive.
Now, at long last, she presents us with a story collection that fully demonstrates the breadth and sophistication of her talent. Over the course of thirteen stories, we navigate complex family relationships, romances both troubled and charmed, and events that straddle the supernatural and the all-too-real. Among the disintegrating husbands, seductive ghosts, and artists communing with the supernatural to find their voices, Giddings establishes herself as a true investigator of modern yearning. Funny, poignant, exquisitely-rendered, and deeply moving, the stories in Black Arts further establish Megan Giddings as one of our most eagle-eyed and groundbreaking literary talents.
Over three genre-busting novels, Megan Giddings has emerged as one of the most celebrated and inspiring authors at work today. She has been compared to such luminaries as Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, and Jordan Peele, yet her voice is singular and distinctive.
Now, at long last, she presents us with a story collection that fully demonstrates the breadth and sophistication of her talent. Over the course of thirteen stories, we navigate complex family relationships, romances both troubled and charmed, and events that straddle the supernatural and the all-too-real. Among the disintegrating husbands, seductive ghosts, and artists communing with the supernatural to find their voices, Giddings establishes herself as a true investigator of modern yearning. Funny, poignant, exquisitely-rendered, and deeply moving, the stories in Black Arts further establish Megan Giddings as one of our most eagle-eyed and groundbreaking literary talents.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 22, 2026
This is one of those books where the cover had me doing a double take, and the supernatural elements combined with the comparison to Ursula LeGuin and Octavia Butler had me pressing the request button even though I rarely read short stories. And now I want to read more of her work.
One of the criticisms I generally see for short stories is that they try to fit too much of a complete story in a brief format. That is not the case with this collection. Most of these drop you in the middle of a situation where it takes a minute to catch your bearings, and none of these have a truly conclusive ending. Since I’m generally used to reading series’ that have a detailed beginning and end, this was a perfect change and palette cleanser, although I can see this not being a fit for those who want a HEA type ending.
The themes in this range from living with trauma of past abuse and sexual assault, the daily prejudice that black people still deal with, yearning for fulfillment in romance and life, and the lost feeling of never quite fitting in. There are several beautiful and poignant stories in here that just made my heart ache.
Most had a metaphorical paranormal element that really enhanced that feeling of being “other,” of considering life’s choices in hindsight, of emptiness in a world that feels like it caters only to those who fit a certain mold.
A girl who receives little love or attention from her own mother meets her cousin, who is literally made of glass and can never leave the house, leaving us to ponder whether it’s better to be suffocated or ignored. A girl of mixed race who doesn’t find belonging in any group has a voracious hunger that eventually devours the “friends” that she can’t be herself with. A victim of multiple sexual assaults survives by identifying her former self as Michelle and her current self as The Chariot (the tarot card) as a way to take back control of her life.
I especially love the way Megan ties all the stories together at the end by describing her journey as a black writer, how she has vacillated between rage and despair at racial and social injustice, and uses a second person POV to make the experience feel personal to the reader.
While I haven’t been a recipient of racial prejudice, my husband is half black and I have experienced a couple of instances second hand. Nothing overt and thankfully infrequent, just those little comments that over time and repetition could really wear a person down. And Megan invokes the feeling of what this is like. Being black. Being a woman. Being a black woman in the arts.
Overall, a beautiful and somewhat poetic collection of stories that will haunt me for a while. Apparently she also has a book that has been compared to The Handmaid’s Tale, but about black people and medical testing called Lakewood. It’s going straight to my TBR.
I was also able to get the audiobook on Libby and the narrators were phenomenal.
4⭐️’s eARC & audio
Thank you to Amistad and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
One of the criticisms I generally see for short stories is that they try to fit too much of a complete story in a brief format. That is not the case with this collection. Most of these drop you in the middle of a situation where it takes a minute to catch your bearings, and none of these have a truly conclusive ending. Since I’m generally used to reading series’ that have a detailed beginning and end, this was a perfect change and palette cleanser, although I can see this not being a fit for those who want a HEA type ending.
The themes in this range from living with trauma of past abuse and sexual assault, the daily prejudice that black people still deal with, yearning for fulfillment in romance and life, and the lost feeling of never quite fitting in. There are several beautiful and poignant stories in here that just made my heart ache.
Most had a metaphorical paranormal element that really enhanced that feeling of being “other,” of considering life’s choices in hindsight, of emptiness in a world that feels like it caters only to those who fit a certain mold.
A girl who receives little love or attention from her own mother meets her cousin, who is literally made of glass and can never leave the house, leaving us to ponder whether it’s better to be suffocated or ignored. A girl of mixed race who doesn’t find belonging in any group has a voracious hunger that eventually devours the “friends” that she can’t be herself with. A victim of multiple sexual assaults survives by identifying her former self as Michelle and her current self as The Chariot (the tarot card) as a way to take back control of her life.
I especially love the way Megan ties all the stories together at the end by describing her journey as a black writer, how she has vacillated between rage and despair at racial and social injustice, and uses a second person POV to make the experience feel personal to the reader.
While I haven’t been a recipient of racial prejudice, my husband is half black and I have experienced a couple of instances second hand. Nothing overt and thankfully infrequent, just those little comments that over time and repetition could really wear a person down. And Megan invokes the feeling of what this is like. Being black. Being a woman. Being a black woman in the arts.
Overall, a beautiful and somewhat poetic collection of stories that will haunt me for a while. Apparently she also has a book that has been compared to The Handmaid’s Tale, but about black people and medical testing called Lakewood. It’s going straight to my TBR.
I was also able to get the audiobook on Libby and the narrators were phenomenal.
4⭐️’s eARC & audio
Thank you to Amistad and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As someone who is not a huge horror, sci-fi, or fantasy reader, I was able to comfortably nestle into what is truly a series of “genre bending” stories.
Every idea was so inventive that they left me wondering what type of creative power it would require to write. But even with that, the stories are so accessible that the stories themselves felt no different than reading fiction. Other-worldly, and still totally tangible.
I really really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone with this book!
July 9, 2026
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway winner and read an advanced, uncorrected proof. Thank you!!
I would describe some of these stories as “Tales from the Crypt” vibes and/or “Thoughts I have while I’m high AF”.
Others were more grounded but still left me wondering.
I haven’t read short stories since grade school, but I appreciate the artistry of this collection. Similar to other reviewers, not every story landed home for me, but some triggered a deep connection to the characters’ inability to move beyond trauma (ex. The Querent).
I feel a sense of intrigue for the stories that I simply didn’t “get”. I started retelling the stories to my spouse and found myself imagining the intent and the meaning behind the story. In the end, I’m ok with there being no bigger picture. Not all stories have to have an ending wrapped in a pretty bow. Maybe the intent is to leave readers wondering.
Bizarre and beautiful.
Check your triggers.
Themes of feminism throughout.
- Sleeping with your missing sister’s husband & then finding thrones to his presumably deceased wives and yourself in his “storage” closets.
- A cursed man who turns to dust and has to be scooped into a specific bag in order to return to his human form.
- Sex with ghosts and suicide.
- Rape and sexual abuse trauma. This one was a lot to process.
- Deserted on an island, mourning the loss of two people, while contemplating who will eat who first.
- A child made of glass. Actual, shatterable glass.
- “Metaphors are Violence”… I have so many questions.
- The Last Meals “Apple Pie” is impeccably written. The world is ending. You thought you would die of cancer or being puréed by a bus, but instead, an asteroid will be your demise. An asteroid smaller than a building you once worked in. You spent your entire doing all the right things, but you can’t control your death.
- The Children and the Leg Found in June… how is no one concerned???
I would describe some of these stories as “Tales from the Crypt” vibes and/or “Thoughts I have while I’m high AF”.
Others were more grounded but still left me wondering.
I haven’t read short stories since grade school, but I appreciate the artistry of this collection. Similar to other reviewers, not every story landed home for me, but some triggered a deep connection to the characters’ inability to move beyond trauma (ex. The Querent).
I feel a sense of intrigue for the stories that I simply didn’t “get”. I started retelling the stories to my spouse and found myself imagining the intent and the meaning behind the story. In the end, I’m ok with there being no bigger picture. Not all stories have to have an ending wrapped in a pretty bow. Maybe the intent is to leave readers wondering.
Bizarre and beautiful.
Check your triggers.
Themes of feminism throughout.
- Sleeping with your missing sister’s husband & then finding thrones to his presumably deceased wives and yourself in his “storage” closets.
- A cursed man who turns to dust and has to be scooped into a specific bag in order to return to his human form.
- Sex with ghosts and suicide.
- Rape and sexual abuse trauma. This one was a lot to process.
- Deserted on an island, mourning the loss of two people, while contemplating who will eat who first.
- A child made of glass. Actual, shatterable glass.
- “Metaphors are Violence”… I have so many questions.
- The Last Meals “Apple Pie” is impeccably written. The world is ending. You thought you would die of cancer or being puréed by a bus, but instead, an asteroid will be your demise. An asteroid smaller than a building you once worked in. You spent your entire doing all the right things, but you can’t control your death.
- The Children and the Leg Found in June… how is no one concerned???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I got Black Arts as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the book, and since I absolutely loved Lakewood, I was really excited to see Megan Giddings releasing a story collection. This is my first time reading her short fiction, and honestly, it feels exactly like what I expected from her, strange, sharp, emotional, and a little bit uncanny in all the best ways. This superntural collection has thirteen stories, and they move across genres the way this author always does being part surreal, part supernatural, part painfully real. A few of them really stuck with me. I loved the one with the artist trying to commune with something otherworldly to find her voice. The dynamic between her and the “presence” she keeps reaching for was so interesting, part mentorship, part obsession, part danger. And then there are the stories grounded in family relationships, where the tension comes from secrets, disappointments, and the quiet ways people hurt each other without meaning to. Character dynamics are really the heart of this collection. Ms. Giddings writes people who feel like they’re always on the edge of something like transformation, collapse, revelation. Whether it’s disintegrating husbands, women trying to reinvent themselves, or siblings navigating old wounds, the relationships feel messy and real even when the plot leans supernatural. Plot‑wise, the stories vary a lot. Some are tight and punchy, some are slower and more atmospheric. There are a few twists sprinkled throughout not big thriller twists, but those subtle “ohhh, that’s what this is really about” moments that shift the emotional weight of the story. The endings tend to be open‑ended or bittersweet, which fits the tone of the collection but occasionally left me wanting just a little more closure. I enjoyed each story and can't wait to read more of her short stories! #netgalley #blackarts
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Such a great anthology! This was my first foray into a Black horror anthology. There’s something about each of the 13 stories that really sticks with you:
• “The Sixth Door” — perfect. Gross, haunting, what a freak. I loved it.
• “Are the Straights Okay” — as a straight, this was f*king hilarious. (And no we’re not)
• “Double Exposure” — new take on an old trope, super creative, loved the subtle millennial humor and pop culture from our childhood faves. Made me feel all the feels.
• “The Querent” — what a trip this was. I’d say more but I don’t want to leave spoilers.
• “Desert Island Diet” — I had a hard time with this one. I’m not sure what my takeaways should be.
• “Brittle” — whoa.
• “Metaphors are Violence” — twisty turns, couldn’t predict. *chef’s kiss*
• “Last Meals” — a look into the daily life of people who know that the end is coming and their daily struggle to answer humanity’s simple question: “what do I do?” At this point, what would *I* do in their shoes??
• “Black Arts” — haunting, spooky, and there’s a reason this story doubles as the anthology’s title. Easily my favorite.
• “The Children and the Leg Found in June” — this needs to be much longer. I’d love for this to become a novella… selfishly, because I have questions and need to see them answered.
• “The Great Why’s of Everything” — I found it difficult to follow. I’d love to see more into the ancestral lore and finding herself but ultimately this was not one of my favorites.
• “The Art of Possession” - hauntingly beautiful, a loving yarn of lineage, but also achingly sad.
• “How to be a Black Writer” - I just want to hug the main character and keep everyone from trying to dim her light. Is that too much to ask?!
• “The Sixth Door” — perfect. Gross, haunting, what a freak. I loved it.
• “Are the Straights Okay” — as a straight, this was f*king hilarious. (And no we’re not)
• “Double Exposure” — new take on an old trope, super creative, loved the subtle millennial humor and pop culture from our childhood faves. Made me feel all the feels.
• “The Querent” — what a trip this was. I’d say more but I don’t want to leave spoilers.
• “Desert Island Diet” — I had a hard time with this one. I’m not sure what my takeaways should be.
• “Brittle” — whoa.
• “Metaphors are Violence” — twisty turns, couldn’t predict. *chef’s kiss*
• “Last Meals” — a look into the daily life of people who know that the end is coming and their daily struggle to answer humanity’s simple question: “what do I do?” At this point, what would *I* do in their shoes??
• “Black Arts” — haunting, spooky, and there’s a reason this story doubles as the anthology’s title. Easily my favorite.
• “The Children and the Leg Found in June” — this needs to be much longer. I’d love for this to become a novella… selfishly, because I have questions and need to see them answered.
• “The Great Why’s of Everything” — I found it difficult to follow. I’d love to see more into the ancestral lore and finding herself but ultimately this was not one of my favorites.
• “The Art of Possession” - hauntingly beautiful, a loving yarn of lineage, but also achingly sad.
• “How to be a Black Writer” - I just want to hug the main character and keep everyone from trying to dim her light. Is that too much to ask?!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Black Arts had me curious from the start because I never knew what kind of strange I was about to get next. This collection is weird, dark, supernatural, and sometimes surprisingly funny, which is pretty much the perfect combination for me.
The thirteen stories give you a little bit of everything—ghosts, complicated relationships, family drama, grief, desire, and plenty of moments where you're wondering what exactly is going on. I especially liked that the supernatural elements never felt like they were there just for the sake of being creepy. A lot of the stories are really about people and the messy ways we love, hurt, want, and disappoint each other. Sometimes the humans are far more complicated than the ghosts.
Like most short story collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but there was enough variety that I was always curious about what the next one would bring. Nothing felt repetitive, and a few ended up being favorites, while others I simply enjoyed for what they were.
Creative, strange, occasionally unsettling, and just weird enough for me. Black Arts was definitely my kind of collection.
Thanks Netgalley and Amistad
for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
The thirteen stories give you a little bit of everything—ghosts, complicated relationships, family drama, grief, desire, and plenty of moments where you're wondering what exactly is going on. I especially liked that the supernatural elements never felt like they were there just for the sake of being creepy. A lot of the stories are really about people and the messy ways we love, hurt, want, and disappoint each other. Sometimes the humans are far more complicated than the ghosts.
Like most short story collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but there was enough variety that I was always curious about what the next one would bring. Nothing felt repetitive, and a few ended up being favorites, while others I simply enjoyed for what they were.
Creative, strange, occasionally unsettling, and just weird enough for me. Black Arts was definitely my kind of collection.
Thanks Netgalley and Amistad
for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book in a good reads giveaway and it’s an advance reader copy. This is not necessarily something I would intentionally read and it was very difficult for me to finish. Most of the stories were hard to follow and paragraphs would start out of nowhere and I would have no idea what was actually going on. The stories ranged from normal thriller type stories to absolutely unheard of stories and some were hard to get through. At first I didn’t know if the skipping all over the place was intentional but every story had it so I’m assuming it’s the authors style of writing. Although it’s not something I would normally read myself I’m glad I was able to experience this type of writing because I do like to learn about other authors. I have it three stars because this would be a good book if This is what you like to read.
I appreciate the advance copy and am thankful I won the giveaway.
I appreciate the advance copy and am thankful I won the giveaway.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I appreciated that each story felt distinct, and the collection had a strong, consistent mood running through it. Even when I didn’t fully understand where some of the stories were going, I could still appreciate the ambition behind them and the way they each seemed to be reaching for something different. There were moments where I felt like I was missing a layer of meaning that other readers might catch more easily. The recurring themes of messy relationships, eerie supernatural elements, and artists trying to make sense of themselves gave the collection a vivid, unsettling tone, but not every story landed equally for me. Overall, it was an interesting read, even if it didn’t always fully click.
Thank you Netgalley and Amistad for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and Amistad for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Black Arts: Stories by Megan Giddings is a fantastic collection that blends the supernatural with sharp, grounded storytelling. Each story brings a unique, eerie vibe, offering clever twists and eerie atmospheres that keep you completely hooked.
What Worked: The writing is wonderfully evocative, and the supernatural elements feel fresh, strange, and deeply engaging. Giddings does a brilliant job building tension and creating distinct, memorable voices across the stories.
Why 4 Stars: As with almost any anthology, a couple of the shorter pieces didn't pack quite the same emotional punch as the standout stories, leaving me wanting a bit more development.
Overall, it's a wildly imaginative, eerie, and satisfying read that I’d easily recommend to fans of speculative and dark fiction!
What Worked: The writing is wonderfully evocative, and the supernatural elements feel fresh, strange, and deeply engaging. Giddings does a brilliant job building tension and creating distinct, memorable voices across the stories.
Why 4 Stars: As with almost any anthology, a couple of the shorter pieces didn't pack quite the same emotional punch as the standout stories, leaving me wanting a bit more development.
Overall, it's a wildly imaginative, eerie, and satisfying read that I’d easily recommend to fans of speculative and dark fiction!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an excellent collection of slippery stories: there are ghosts, politics, art, apocalypses, symbols in caves that make you do things. There are commentaries on gender and race and education, and there are monsters, human and otherwise. There's a cousin made of glass who maybe wouldn't mind being broken. They're more direct that Giddings's novels, but equally good at sliding away from you and sending you to unexpected places. Balancing between literary fiction and speculative stories, they'll shake anyone up. Highly recommended.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**ARC from NetGalley**
Absolutely loved this collection of short stories. They ranged from absurd to everyday, but all with a palpable humanity and well developed characters despite the short form. Reminds me a bit of Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver. It was so good that I’m thinking about reading more short story collections, out of renewed respect for the format. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Absolutely loved this collection of short stories. They ranged from absurd to everyday, but all with a palpable humanity and well developed characters despite the short form. Reminds me a bit of Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver. It was so good that I’m thinking about reading more short story collections, out of renewed respect for the format. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
September 8, 2026
Loved how the stories explored questions about identity, trauma, grief, Black womanhood, creativity and agency. My Favorites:
The Art of Possession
The Querent
Last Meals
Black Arts
How to Be a Black Writer
The Art of Possession
The Querent
Last Meals
Black Arts
How to Be a Black Writer
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful collection that beautifully illustrates the complex inner lives of black women. Giddings excels at the short story form.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Very entertaining with a bit of a different writing style. Great ending.
Review of advance copy
Review of advance copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful and weird collection of short stories about race, relationships, and self image, ranging from a twist on Bluebeard to bewitching ghosts.
September 8, 2026
A short story collection filled with myriad speculative delights. If you are in a reading slump and are looking for a shorter book which you can jump around on, this is the collection to try.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews