Afterthoughts: The Black Speculative Fiction Celebration

Last month I organized and hosted an event for the Black History Month to create space for Black speculative fiction. There are so many incredible authors out here crafting these intricate, brutal, tender worlds, but there aren’t enough people amplifying those voices. For years, I have dedicated my time and energy into honing spaces for Black authors. We deserve this room and if I have to lay the foundation myself, better believe, I will. From Voices of Color to the POC Cover Market and the other projects I can’t wait to reveal, I have been doing the work to make space for us.

What was special about The Black Speculative Fiction Celebration (BSFC) was the authors. We had ten incredible writers share experience, joy, triumphs and L’s accumulated while navigating this industry. It was my goal to create something authentic and Black and uplifting, and together with the panelist, I think that was accomplished. In the future, I will only continue to carve more platforms for Black voices to be heard. One of the shining jewels of that night was the readings, and the depth in which the panelist answered the discussion questions. There was anger, determination, tears, laughter. We celebrated ourselves and our Black ass stories in all their multifaceted power. 

If you didn’t catch the LIVE, the BSFC event is available to watch on my YouTube channel. Please be sure to like, comment, and subscribe those interactions go a long way in allyship and making sure Black voices continue to be heard. The stories read during the event were collected and published in an anthology that is free.99 — If Fists Could Speak. A powerful title for a powerful constellation of voices. You can get yours here. If you do read, please follow my fellow anthology contributors and check out their stunning backlogs. The book is also up on Goodreads to drop a few stars.