Score

What is this list, exactly?

NK Jemisen posted about the “African American Section” -
http://nkjemisin.com/2010/05/dont-put...

I believe that the title of this list is self-explanatory. But since you asked science fiction like many genres has historically excluded authors of color. In recent decades,there has been a small influx of these authors into science fiction/fantasy genres. However, many of these brilliant writers go unnoticed even by Black and Brown peoples -- often because they're unaware that we exist. This list is intended to celebrate our work, although many of the fabulous novels here also appear on other lists.

Contrary to some other authors, there are some of us who don't mind being classified as African American writers. As a matter of fact, I embrace it. 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. If your book is good, everyone will read it no matter where it is in the bookstore. Black writers that rail against classification and make it plan that their main characters are not black have fallen victim to the mainstream publishing 'koolaid.' Agents and editors hit them with the 'if you want your book to sell speech,' so they create an ambiguous character that is non-white, but not exactly black. If we don't step up and represent ourselves, who will?

big tent. room for everybody.

I wish we could like list, but I'll settle for bookmarking this.

Thanks Yoki! Glad you dig it :)

Wow! I've only read some titles by Octavia Butler and Nalo Hopkinson. Thanks for making a list I can refer to from time to time when I want to step out of my usual genres.

Hi Leslie, my pleasure :)!

I too appreciate this list ....I'm always searching for writers of color in the Fantasy/Sci-fi genre.

Hi KaleneMia,thank you so much :)!

And Thank You.....keep the stories coming

Unless there is a photograph of the authore inside the back cover...I tend to picture someone twentyfive years older, overflowing ashtray, manual smith-corona older still.
I'd have passed Lois Bujold on the street, at best, wonder if she misplaced her minivan.
I stopped and stared at John Varley. Twice 1985+/-1 only because of a back cover photo and biographical placing him in Eugene as I was in Eugene.
Back to a variant on this topic; what protaganists that are not white spring to mind? Or male and not heterosexual?
Neither Slater, Nakamura, or Col. (?) in Lanier's Menace Under Marswood. Or for that Matter was Hiero or Luchare in Hiero's Journey. Richard Morgan's trio in "the Steel Remains" aren't anyone's one thing. Haldeman's "Forever Peace". Elizabeth Moon's Serrano's were short, black, and female. Many of Flewelling's character were not one way. Some where. Some of her recent novels had scenes that distracted me. Longyear's "Infinity Hold"s haystacks were very few. Effinger's "When Gravity Fails" is...interesting.
For more gender as reality see Varley's "Steel Beach", Heinlein's "I Will Fear No Evil" in ways more intense than Le Guin's subtle "Left Hand of Darkness"
At 5'3" with slightly long hair I'm sometimes addressed as Ms. Then Mr. Then Ms. Disconcerts others when I return an enigmatic Tamil nod. Or at least it does now. (It will only hurt when its ma'am?)
Not that the supercillious, the arrogant don't have a particular build and gender and belong to a group that doesn't understand privilige. Not that its so easy to see from the inside, or not so easily questioned.

I agree whole heartily Milton, I liked the kingdom books she wrote, but i didnt like that her charcter isnt a true woman of color, i like multiracial characters, stories and books but I've read enough for my life time.....im searching to read about characters that look like Mi. We r most beautiful and should be presented as such.....we ar protagonist. We r heros and that should be presented by us, first and for most.

Can a tag be added for just science fiction? I almost missed this list because I wasn't searching for African American at the time.

Leeann, I'll check into it.

Interesting list, on a number of levels. :-)

Valjeanne wrote: "I believe that the title of this list is self-explanatory. But since you asked science fiction like many genres has historically excluded authors of color. In recent decades,there has been a small ..."

Thank you.

Thanks for putting this together!

I was going through this list and noticed The Ballad of Billy Badass and the Rose of Turkestan, Green Grass, Running Water, and The Way of Thorn and Thunder, which were all written by writers of the Cherokee Nation. Is the Cherokee Nation related to African Americans somehow or is this a mistake?

This list was created to celebrate authors of color. Indigenous authors, since they are also POC, have been added to this list.