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Black Magic Women: Terrifying Tales by Scary Sisters
Imagine horror where black characters aren't all tropes and the first to die; imagine a world written by black sisters where black women and femmes are in the starring roles. From flesh-eating plants to flesh-eating bees; zombies to vampires to vampire-eating vampire hunters; ghosts, revenants, witches and werewolves, this book has it all. Cursed drums, cursed dolls, cursed palms, ancient spirits and goddesses create a nuanced world of Afrocentric and multicultural horror. Seventeen terrifying tales by seventeen of the scary sisters profiled in the reference guide "100 Black Women in Horror."
Includes the stories Appreciation by Mina Polina, Death Lines by Nuzo Onoh, Sweet Justice by Kenesha Williams, Bryannah and the Magic Negro by Crystal Connor, The Lost Ones by Valjeanne Jeffers, Tango of a TellTale Heart by Sumiko Saulson, Blood Magnolia by Nicole Givens Kurtz, Labor Pains by Kenya Moss-Dyme, Return to Me by Lori Titus, Here, Kitty! by LH Moore, Left Hand Torment by R. J. Joseph, Dark Moon's Curse by Delizhia Jenkins, Killer Queen by Cinsearae S, Sisters by Kai Leakes, Black and Deadly by Dicey Grenor, Trisha and Peter by Kamika Aziza, Alternative(TM) by Tabitha Thompson, and The Prizewinner by Alledria Hurt.
Includes the stories Appreciation by Mina Polina, Death Lines by Nuzo Onoh, Sweet Justice by Kenesha Williams, Bryannah and the Magic Negro by Crystal Connor, The Lost Ones by Valjeanne Jeffers, Tango of a TellTale Heart by Sumiko Saulson, Blood Magnolia by Nicole Givens Kurtz, Labor Pains by Kenya Moss-Dyme, Return to Me by Lori Titus, Here, Kitty! by LH Moore, Left Hand Torment by R. J. Joseph, Dark Moon's Curse by Delizhia Jenkins, Killer Queen by Cinsearae S, Sisters by Kai Leakes, Black and Deadly by Dicey Grenor, Trisha and Peter by Kamika Aziza, Alternative(TM) by Tabitha Thompson, and The Prizewinner by Alledria Hurt.
334 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2018
26 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Sumiko Saulson
78 books135 followersSumiko Saulson (ze/hir) is a 2x Bram Stoker Nominated and Elgin Nominated poet, graphic novelist, zinemaker, and an award-winning author of Afrosurrealist and multicultural sci-fi and horror. Editor of the Black Magic Women, Scry of Lust, Scry of Lust 2, Black Celebration, and Wickedly Abled. Winner of the StokerCon Scholarship from Hell (2016), 2nd Place Carry the Light Awards (2016, 2017 and 2018) for short fiction, essays and blogging. Mixy Award (2017). BCC Voice Grand Prize Reframing the Other Essay Contest (2017), Afrosurrealist Writer Award (2018). Semifinalist: HorrorAddicts Next Great Horror Writer’s Contest, (2018). Horror Writers Association Diversity Grant (2020).
Member, Horror Writers Association.
AA in English from Berkeley City College. Staff writer, Search Magazine. Proofreader, Mocha Memoirs Press. Columnist (“Writing While Black”) for The San Francisco BayView. Host, Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District’s Erotic Storytelling Hour. Social Media Team, Horror Writers Association.
Novels: Solitude, The Moon Cried Blood, Warmth. Short fiction collections Things That Go Bump in My Head, The Void between Emotions, Spit and Pathos and Within Me Without Me
Short works in anthologies: Horror Addicts Guide to Cats (Horror Addicts Guide), Ashes and Coffee (Death’s Café), Enclosures (Tales from the Lake, Vol 3), Jacob’s Reunion (Forever Vacancy), Clockwork Valentine (Clockwork Wonderland) Sweetness (Beasts and Babes), Agrippa (Carry the Light, Vol 5), Character Flaws (Carry the Light, Vol 5), Under the Water (Horror Bites Next Great Horror Writer, Horror Addicts), Unheard Music in the Dank Underground (Tales from the Campfire), Shades of Domesticity (Horror Writers Association Poetry Showcase Volume VII), Asi’s Horror and Delight (Slay: Tales of the Vampire Noire)
Graphic novels: Agrippa, Dreamworlds, Living a Lie (illustrator), The Complete Mauskaveli.
An American author of African American and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Native Californian, living in Oakland, California. Pronouns: ze/hir or they/them. Find hir on social media at sumikoska (Twitter, Facebook, Tik-Tok), sumikosaulson (Instagram), skavibe (Twitch) and www.SumikoSaulson.com
Member, Horror Writers Association.
AA in English from Berkeley City College. Staff writer, Search Magazine. Proofreader, Mocha Memoirs Press. Columnist (“Writing While Black”) for The San Francisco BayView. Host, Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District’s Erotic Storytelling Hour. Social Media Team, Horror Writers Association.
Novels: Solitude, The Moon Cried Blood, Warmth. Short fiction collections Things That Go Bump in My Head, The Void between Emotions, Spit and Pathos and Within Me Without Me
Short works in anthologies: Horror Addicts Guide to Cats (Horror Addicts Guide), Ashes and Coffee (Death’s Café), Enclosures (Tales from the Lake, Vol 3), Jacob’s Reunion (Forever Vacancy), Clockwork Valentine (Clockwork Wonderland) Sweetness (Beasts and Babes), Agrippa (Carry the Light, Vol 5), Character Flaws (Carry the Light, Vol 5), Under the Water (Horror Bites Next Great Horror Writer, Horror Addicts), Unheard Music in the Dank Underground (Tales from the Campfire), Shades of Domesticity (Horror Writers Association Poetry Showcase Volume VII), Asi’s Horror and Delight (Slay: Tales of the Vampire Noire)
Graphic novels: Agrippa, Dreamworlds, Living a Lie (illustrator), The Complete Mauskaveli.
An American author of African American and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Native Californian, living in Oakland, California. Pronouns: ze/hir or they/them. Find hir on social media at sumikoska (Twitter, Facebook, Tik-Tok), sumikosaulson (Instagram), skavibe (Twitch) and www.SumikoSaulson.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 26, 2018
Review of Black and Deadly by Dicey Grenor.
This short story featured sisters Badu, Maajida, and Kabira, descendants of the Black Magic Women. The teacher, attorney and nurse were commiserating about the injustices continually perpetuated against their race. The Sisters were so incensed that they decided to ask their ancestors for help in affecting vengeance. Their actions set off a chain of events that will have lasting effects.
This story was very short and writing was smooth. The plot definitely echoed sentiments I felt regarding police brutality. What I loved most was that the story recognized that unintended consequences can result from pure intentions. This novella packed a punch for such a short story and introduces scenarios for the reader to ponder after the story.
Without spoiling the story, fans of The Hate U Give should read this novella.
This short story featured sisters Badu, Maajida, and Kabira, descendants of the Black Magic Women. The teacher, attorney and nurse were commiserating about the injustices continually perpetuated against their race. The Sisters were so incensed that they decided to ask their ancestors for help in affecting vengeance. Their actions set off a chain of events that will have lasting effects.
This story was very short and writing was smooth. The plot definitely echoed sentiments I felt regarding police brutality. What I loved most was that the story recognized that unintended consequences can result from pure intentions. This novella packed a punch for such a short story and introduces scenarios for the reader to ponder after the story.
Without spoiling the story, fans of The Hate U Give should read this novella.
September 24, 2018
"I believe it is important for the self-esteem of a people to be able to envision ourselves as heroes." -Sumiko Saulson
Black Magic Women is an awesome and important anthology edited by Sumiko Saulson - these are all horror stories by black women. I enjoyed this book, and I was introduced to many new authors whose work I had not read before. If you are looking for more diverse horror, I think Black Magic Women is an excellent place to start.
I rated all of the stories in this book between 3-5⭐, so I liked everything that I read. The stories in Black Magic Women were unique and there was a lot of variety across the anthology. As I usually do for anthologies and collections, I will list my top 5 favorites - Top 5 - Here Kitty! - LH Moore, The Killer Queen - Cinsearae S., The Prizewinner - Alledria Hurt, Labor Pains - Kenya Moss-Dyme, and Alternative (TM) - Tabitha Thompson. I found this to be a very entertaining collection as a whole, and some of these stories will definitely stick with me.
I appreciated that women had all sorts of different roles in this anthology - they were heroes, villains, monsters, witches, helpers, sisters, fighters, and so much more. People are layered, and there's more to anyone that what's on the surface. In the intro to Black Magic Women, there is a quote from Kenesha Williams that sums this up much better than I can - "Embracing both sides of someone's humanity, the good and the bad, is to allow them to be fully human." Black Magic Women allows you to see different sides of different women, all with fun spooky background, and I really enjoyed this read. I hope to read more from these women in the future!
Black Magic Women is an awesome and important anthology edited by Sumiko Saulson - these are all horror stories by black women. I enjoyed this book, and I was introduced to many new authors whose work I had not read before. If you are looking for more diverse horror, I think Black Magic Women is an excellent place to start.
I rated all of the stories in this book between 3-5⭐, so I liked everything that I read. The stories in Black Magic Women were unique and there was a lot of variety across the anthology. As I usually do for anthologies and collections, I will list my top 5 favorites - Top 5 - Here Kitty! - LH Moore, The Killer Queen - Cinsearae S., The Prizewinner - Alledria Hurt, Labor Pains - Kenya Moss-Dyme, and Alternative (TM) - Tabitha Thompson. I found this to be a very entertaining collection as a whole, and some of these stories will definitely stick with me.
I appreciated that women had all sorts of different roles in this anthology - they were heroes, villains, monsters, witches, helpers, sisters, fighters, and so much more. People are layered, and there's more to anyone that what's on the surface. In the intro to Black Magic Women, there is a quote from Kenesha Williams that sums this up much better than I can - "Embracing both sides of someone's humanity, the good and the bad, is to allow them to be fully human." Black Magic Women allows you to see different sides of different women, all with fun spooky background, and I really enjoyed this read. I hope to read more from these women in the future!
February 20, 2018
As a blogger that does reviews for www.horroraddicts.net I received a ARC of Black Magic Women : Terrifying Tales by Scary Sisters. This anthology is going to be a must read for years to come when it comes to a who's who of top shelf women horror writers of color. If your staple is zombies, vampires etc... this is a book for you. Crisp writing in general and plot twists by writers such as Lori Titus, Valjeanne Jeffers, Crystal Connors, and Nina Polina just to name a few are for the readers enjoyment. Labor of love editing by Sumiko Saulson a horror griot in her own right keeps the stories flowing.
January 31, 2018
EDITOR'S REVIEW:
I am honored to have been on board as the editor of this project, and to have been one of the first people to read the wonderful variety of stories in this book, all written by black women, most staring a black woman, and all prominently featuring black women as important parts of the narrative, not background or set dressing. Black Magic Women is part of an important movement to showcase and uplift black women who write horror.
As the editor, for me, the stories that stood out the most included newcomer Mina Polina's poignant, powerful and terrifying Appreciation; veteran horror scribe Crystal Connor's darkly humorous and brilliant Bryannah and the Magic Negro; beloved paranormal romance author Valjeanne Jeffer's lush, spooky and sensual The Lost Ones, and R. J. Joseph's incredibly dark, brutal, and unforgettable Left-Hand Torment which disproves any stereotype about women writing soft horror. But there is not a single story in the anthology that I didn't enjoy reading and I am very proud of all of these women.
There were stories that pleasantly surprised me with plot twists and unexpected turns of event, like the enjoyable and unapologetically urban Dark Moon's Curse by Delizhia Jenkins, Kenya Moss-Dyme’s heated power struggle between a maniacal sexual predator and his voodoo priestess wife, Labor Pains and Kenesha Williams’ crime noir with a psychic detective, Sweet Justice. There were stories that touched my heart, like newcomer Kamika Aziza’s well-crafted, sweet and sentimental Trisha and Peter, and Nicole Givens Kurtz’ coming of age story about a hotheaded young mage Blood Magnolia.
There were tales straight out of the Twilight Zone, like British Nigerian veteran Nuzo Onoh’s creepy tale of reincarnation gone wrong Death Lines, and Lori Titus’ cautionary tale about love spells, Return to Me. The whole book is a thrill ride.
I am honored to have been on board as the editor of this project, and to have been one of the first people to read the wonderful variety of stories in this book, all written by black women, most staring a black woman, and all prominently featuring black women as important parts of the narrative, not background or set dressing. Black Magic Women is part of an important movement to showcase and uplift black women who write horror.
As the editor, for me, the stories that stood out the most included newcomer Mina Polina's poignant, powerful and terrifying Appreciation; veteran horror scribe Crystal Connor's darkly humorous and brilliant Bryannah and the Magic Negro; beloved paranormal romance author Valjeanne Jeffer's lush, spooky and sensual The Lost Ones, and R. J. Joseph's incredibly dark, brutal, and unforgettable Left-Hand Torment which disproves any stereotype about women writing soft horror. But there is not a single story in the anthology that I didn't enjoy reading and I am very proud of all of these women.
There were stories that pleasantly surprised me with plot twists and unexpected turns of event, like the enjoyable and unapologetically urban Dark Moon's Curse by Delizhia Jenkins, Kenya Moss-Dyme’s heated power struggle between a maniacal sexual predator and his voodoo priestess wife, Labor Pains and Kenesha Williams’ crime noir with a psychic detective, Sweet Justice. There were stories that touched my heart, like newcomer Kamika Aziza’s well-crafted, sweet and sentimental Trisha and Peter, and Nicole Givens Kurtz’ coming of age story about a hotheaded young mage Blood Magnolia.
There were tales straight out of the Twilight Zone, like British Nigerian veteran Nuzo Onoh’s creepy tale of reincarnation gone wrong Death Lines, and Lori Titus’ cautionary tale about love spells, Return to Me. The whole book is a thrill ride.
February 9, 2021
An anthology of horror stories written by Black women, this is a wonderful collection that has introduced me to a bunch of new ladies of horror fiction! I can't wait to find more works from these authors.
There is a lot to love about this anthology. First, I loved the wide range of stories. There are familiar tropes like werewolves or vampires—though all done with a unique twist—and also stories more strange and unclassifiable. I'm particularly haunted by one about an undefinable being that decorporealizes and engulfs someone ("Appreciation" by Mina Polina).
I also loved how the characters in these stories are complex, often edging on morally ambiguous. What at first glance might appear benevolent behavior could be masking a darker intent. And often there are ways to look at both sides of the coin.
The stories also center around Blackness and specifically Black women, which feels especially important in horror as far too often Black characters have been relegated to "that unnamed character who dies first." Not so in these stories!
I truly enjoyed every story, but here were a few of my favorites:
"Here Kitty!" by LH Moore: In which a good samaritan tries to help her elderly neighbor find her cat and finds something else entirely.
"Labor Pains" by Kenya Moss-Dyme: In which a husband and wife take a dark and desperate approach to have a child.
"Alternative™" by Tabitha Thompson: In which a woman tries a new kind of birth control only to find out that it doesn't work as advertised.
Definitely recommended!
There is a lot to love about this anthology. First, I loved the wide range of stories. There are familiar tropes like werewolves or vampires—though all done with a unique twist—and also stories more strange and unclassifiable. I'm particularly haunted by one about an undefinable being that decorporealizes and engulfs someone ("Appreciation" by Mina Polina).
I also loved how the characters in these stories are complex, often edging on morally ambiguous. What at first glance might appear benevolent behavior could be masking a darker intent. And often there are ways to look at both sides of the coin.
The stories also center around Blackness and specifically Black women, which feels especially important in horror as far too often Black characters have been relegated to "that unnamed character who dies first." Not so in these stories!
I truly enjoyed every story, but here were a few of my favorites:
"Here Kitty!" by LH Moore: In which a good samaritan tries to help her elderly neighbor find her cat and finds something else entirely.
"Labor Pains" by Kenya Moss-Dyme: In which a husband and wife take a dark and desperate approach to have a child.
"Alternative™" by Tabitha Thompson: In which a woman tries a new kind of birth control only to find out that it doesn't work as advertised.
Definitely recommended!
May 2, 2020
Nice variety of stories, some amazing, some not so much. But overall, it was a great way to find new amazing authors that I haven't heard of before, and the good stories more than made up for the not-so-good ones. Individual story ratings:
Bryannah and the Magic Negro - 5
Appreciation - 5
Death Lines - 4
The Lost Ones - 3
Dark Moon's Curse - 4
Tango of a Telltale Heart - 4
Here Kitty - 4
Labor Pains - 4
Return to Me - 5
Sisters - 1
Black and Deadly - 3
Left Hand Torment - 3
Trisha and Peter - 3
The Killer Queen - 3
Alternative - 4
Blood Magnolia - 2
The Prize Winner - 4
Sweet Justice - 5
Bryannah and the Magic Negro - 5
Appreciation - 5
Death Lines - 4
The Lost Ones - 3
Dark Moon's Curse - 4
Tango of a Telltale Heart - 4
Here Kitty - 4
Labor Pains - 4
Return to Me - 5
Sisters - 1
Black and Deadly - 3
Left Hand Torment - 3
Trisha and Peter - 3
The Killer Queen - 3
Alternative - 4
Blood Magnolia - 2
The Prize Winner - 4
Sweet Justice - 5
March 11, 2018
An amazing collection of stories from several different subgenres of horror, all written by talented Black Women authors. I especially liked the stories dealing with dark magic from various cultures. Two standout stories are The Lost Ones by Valjeanne Jeffers and Blood Magnolia by Nicole Givens Kurtz. I hope Jeffers and Kurtz will revisit the worlds they created here in future stories or novels.
January 14, 2019
Great Halloween read. You'll find a scary story that you'll like, even if you're a picky reader.
I really liked "Tricia and Peter by Kamika Aziza" because it invoked The Walking Dead TV show in some ways and the need to forge bonds in difficult situations.
I covered this for my booktube program on youtube. It was one of my favorite reads of the later half of the year.
I really liked "Tricia and Peter by Kamika Aziza" because it invoked The Walking Dead TV show in some ways and the need to forge bonds in difficult situations.
I covered this for my booktube program on youtube. It was one of my favorite reads of the later half of the year.
February 28, 2024
I just finished Black Magic Women, an anthology of horror stories by and about black women. It has the works of many wonderful black authors I don't know but features one Sumiko Saulson whom I do. I enjoyed all of these stories and am happy I could read several books by black authors in honor of Black History Month. It's clear Freddie and I both like this, and I think you will too.
November 11, 2019
Black Magic Women
These stories were masterpieces in a terrifying way!! Each story had me on the edge of what will happen next . (Not to mention some had me huddled in a corner lol)
These stories were masterpieces in a terrifying way!! Each story had me on the edge of what will happen next . (Not to mention some had me huddled in a corner lol)
February 1, 2020
I'm glad I read this, there is something really fresh about the takes of black women writers in horror fiction. Some I liked much better than others, but all of the authors are ones I'd be willing to read more of.
February 12, 2024
a really deep and fresh anthology of horror from Black women writers. some absolutely wonderful tales that gave me chills! a great opportunity to find your new favorite author here, and I wil def be looking up many authors to see what other books or writings they have. def recommended!
May 17, 2019
Some creepy stories but with a feminist bent.
January 20, 2021
What A Collection!
This was a great read. Introduced me to some unique abc talented new writers for me. A bit biased, I picked this up because my fave Delizhia Jenkins was in it. The other authors were more icing on the cake. I will be visiting their catalogs soon.
This was a great read. Introduced me to some unique abc talented new writers for me. A bit biased, I picked this up because my fave Delizhia Jenkins was in it. The other authors were more icing on the cake. I will be visiting their catalogs soon.
March 7, 2022
Scary and utterly new - this is a fantastic anthology not to be missed.
March 9, 2020
I sat down to read one or two stories and then suddenly I was at the end of the anthology. Definitely recommend!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews