by (barely) popular demand, a list of black spec-fic writers and book that I have enjoyed over the years.

note: I am going to stick to stuff I have read, which means I will miss some things

other note: I'm using Amazon links, but buy from somewhere else if you can

Also, I am sorta doing this in vaguely chronological order, at least to begin with. So as much as possible older stuff at the beginning, newer stuff at the end

Because this is about me, we are starting with the first book I read that took African myth and storytelling and turned it into something resembling a fantasy story, Camara Laye's "The Guardian of The Word" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123784.The_Guardian_of_the_Word

Essentially it is the legend of Sundiata told in the style of an epic fantasy book. Legitimately blew my mind as a pre-teen. I'm scared to reread it in case it was worse than I remember

Next, the first Dark Matter anthology.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Matter-Century-Speculative-Diaspora/dp/0446677248

Think of this as a good overview of speculative fiction by black writers spanning most of the 20th century. There is a follow up anthology as well, but start here.

Now we move on to Octavia Butler. I legitimately lack the words to describe important she is.
If you are looking for an entry point, there are several I'd recommend, but in these times it has to be the Parable series. First one linked

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parable-Sower-Octavia-Butler/dp/1435242475

Equally important, but more complicated in some ways, Samuel R. Delany. His stuff straddles dense, lyrical literary fiction and speculative fiction in a way that is still difficult now, let alone when he first started writing and winning awards

"Dhalgren" is his most famous book, but I'd recommend starting with something that doesn't pull your brain apart. I'll say "Empire Star"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009W32Y46/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i7

One of my absolute favourite books to recommend to people is "Skin Folk" by @Nalo_Hopkinson. I think I've bought several copies for other people. Her other stuff is great too, but I stand by my love for this one. Every story is great

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skin-Folk-Nalo-Hopkinson/dp/0446678031

Similarly (in the sense that these books are built around Caribbean folklore) I am also a huge fan of "Redemption in Indigo" by @drkarenlord. Again, I have given a few to people

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redemption-Indigo-Karen-Lord/dp/1780873085

Another recommendation, Lion's Blood and Zulu Heart by @StevenBarnes1. An alternate history where a Muslim Africa colonized Europe and then enslaved Europeans to work American plantations

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lions-Blood-Slavery-Freedom-Alternate/dp/0446612219

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Heart-Steven-Barnes/dp/0446531227

Now I have to say nice things about Nigerian writers. please send thoughts and wishes.....

@tadethompson's Rosewater trilogy is about a Nigerian city that forms around an alien incursion and all the stuff that follows on from that. It is great, and it will fuck with your feelings

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0356511367/ref=bseries_primary_1_0356511367

"David Mogo: Godhunter" is @IAmSuyiDavies's book about a post-apocalyptic Lagos overrun by spirits, and the people who struggle to survive in it

https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mogo-Godhunter-Davies-Okungbowa/dp/1781086494

And, of course, there is the powerhouse that is @Nnedi. I haven't read all of her stuff yet, but of what I have read I'd pick the Binti series to recommend as an entry point

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binti-Nnedi-Okorafor/dp/0765385252

I just realised I haven't mentioned @nkjemisin yet! Read all her stuff, it is all wonderful. Definitely read the Broken Earth series though. It is every bit as good as people say it is

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Earth-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B01N260CMA