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Beyond Afrofuturism: Black Editors & Publishers in Speculative Fiction @ClarionWest getting started! @elboiboi @jassilvera
Nisi @NisiShawl getting the conversation started on Ancestors and Anthologies @MauriceBroaddus @nytebird45 @blackpotmojo @ClarionWest
Linda @nytebird45 talking about horror and the Sycorax’s Daughters anthology, cultivating new voices and letting author’s work speak for itself.
Dark Matter came out of @blackpotmojo desire to read more of that kind of work. Astonished at what didn’t exist in 98-99, intentional but not sure what it would be. Could get variety of genres and tones, look for what moves you. @ClarionWest
“I’m looking for the story I can’t forget, that lingers with me” @blackpotmojo For Black writers—looking for visibility for them. Other experiences and characters can be the subject of stories. @ClarionWest
Wow! @blackpotmojo read 2,400 stories recently! I think I heard that right.
Looking for different ways of telling stories—world perspectives and rhythm, not trying to look like what came before. @blackpotmojo @ClarionWest
Need more Black editors as gatekeepers—are reading and supporting writers that get passed over and or not getting chosen because of language used, cultures represented. @nytebird45 @ClarionWest
Linda @nytebird45 sharing love for Dominion anthology for what it accomplished.
Maurice @MauriceBroaddus on the frustration of working with editors who want to translate your work. “I am not here to spoon feed your audience.”
On being able to share stories by Black writers: “I want your stories as they are.” “Raw, Unadultered Us.”
On being able to share stories by Black writers: “I want your stories as they are.” “Raw, Unadultered Us.”
“When I read poems, I want every one to knock me out.” “I don’t care who you are...I’m reading a poem and waiting for a feeling.” @nytebird45
Edited a lot of famous authors and who have become famous. Dark Matter anthologies. @blackpotmojo @ClarionWest One writer—Pam Noles—wrote a blog post on being a Black fan that went on to inspire Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country
“I’m not going to ask a writer to do what I wouldn’t be willing to do as a writer.” @blackpotmojo
Maurice @MauriceBroaddus sharing an anecdote about @blackpotmojo Could tell they would buy the story within the first few lines “I knew we are in good hands”
Easiest edit—Walter Mosley—and he was a joy to work with. Great editing experience. @ClarionWest
Easiest edit—Walter Mosley—and he was a joy to work with. Great editing experience. @ClarionWest
Favorite anthology @nytebird45 A Twisted Book of Shadows. Christopher Golden did call out for paid POC editor panel. Favorite anthology a part of Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda—beautiful!!
Favorite projects: Dark Faith—first, special, TOC full of people he loves. @MauriceBroaddus @ClarionWest Second favorite—two solo issues for Apex. See some stories go along to get award nominations.
Dream—activists and writers working from spaces where we live now to envision possible futures @MauriceBroaddus
Dream project was Dark Matter, thrilled also to be in anthologies of @nalohop1 & @nytebird45 Excited also about Black Panther and Slay anthology
Africa Risen for Tor Books! Sounds amazing @blackpotmojo
“If people are trying to make sacred space for certain authors...honor that space for them” @blackpotmojo “trying to create space and visibility for new writers” Don’t write editors to get in to spaces not for you—lots of other places to submit.
Maurice on lessons learned on audiobook and editorial control over who reads stories. @MauriceBroaddus Audio coming out soon on Pimp My Airship!
Submission: make sure you know what the guidelines are. Know your chops—flow, pace, spelling, grammar, etc. @nytebird45 “Give me a skid story-3k-5k words—and keep it moving.” @blackpotmojo “read where you are trying to publish. Get a sense of their aesthetic.”
Finding community for Black writers: Afrofuturism 2.0 and State of Black Science Fiction—groups to join/follow. @fiyahlitmag FIYAHCON coming again soon! @blackpotmojo
Last question “and then I will have to cut off the firehose of our brilliance” @NisiShawl @ClarionWest
“Read widely.” Don’t just do your genre comfort food. Don’t just stick to what you know and the channels you are familiar with @MauriceBroaddus
Final words: “Keep writing! We want your stories.” @MauriceBroaddus “write from@your deepest fears” @nytebird45 “Don’t give up on yourself” @blackpotmojo “Don’t self-reject” @NisiShawl
