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Dark Matter (series)
Encyclopedia
Dark Matter is an anthology series of Science Fiction
, Fantasy
, and Horror
stories and essays produced by people of African descent. The editor of the series is Sheree Thomas
. The first book in the series, Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (2000) won the 2001 World Fantasy Award
for Best Anthology
. The second book in the Dark Matter series, Dark Matter: Reading the Bones (2004), won the World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology in 2005. A third book in the series is forthcoming, tentatively named Dark Matter: Africa Rising.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, Fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, and Horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
stories and essays produced by people of African descent. The editor of the series is Sheree Thomas
Sheree Thomas
Sheree Thomas also credited as Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renée Thomas is a writer, book editor and publisher whose Dark Matter collected the works of some of the best African American Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy writers. Authors such as Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R...
. The first book in the series, Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (2000) won the 2001 World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
for Best Anthology
World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology
This World Fantasy Award is given to the fantasy anthology voted best by a panel of judges, and presented each year at the World Fantasy Convention.-2004:WFC 2004 was held in Tempe, Arizona...
. The second book in the Dark Matter series, Dark Matter: Reading the Bones (2004), won the World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology in 2005. A third book in the series is forthcoming, tentatively named Dark Matter: Africa Rising.
Book I Contents
Stories
- Samuel R. DelanySamuel R. DelanySamuel Ray Delany, Jr., also known as "Chip" is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes a number of novels, many in the science fiction genre, as well as memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society.His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein...
, Aye, and Gomorrah... - Octavia E. ButlerOctavia E. ButlerOctavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction writer, one of the best-known among the few African-American women in the field. She won both Hugo and Nebula awards. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant.- Background :Butler...
, The Evening and the Morning and the Night - Charles R. SaundersCharles R. SaundersCharles R. Saunders also credited as Charles Saunders is an African American author and journalist currently living in Canada. During his long career, he has written everything from novels both fiction and non-fiction, to screenplays and radio plays.- Background :Saunders was born in Elizabeth,...
, Gimmile's Songs - Steven BarnesSteven BarnesSteven Barnes is an African American science fiction writer, lecturer, creative consultant, and human performance technician....
, The Woman in the Wall - Tananarive DueTananarive DueTananarive Due is an American author.-Biography:Tananarive Priscilla Due was born in Tallahassee, Florida, the oldest of three daughters of civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due and civil rights lawyer John D. Due Jr...
, Like Daughter - Jewelle GomezJewelle GomezJewelle Gomez is an American author, poet, critic and playwright. She lived and worked in New York City for twenty-two years working in public television, theatre as well as philanthropy before relocating to the West Coast...
, Chicago 1927 - George S. Schuyler, Black No MoreBlack No MoreBlack No More: Being an Account of the Strange and Wonderful Workings of Science in the Land of the Free, AD 1933-1940 is a 1931 Harlem Renaissance era satire on American race relations by George S. Schuyler . He targets both the KKK and NAACP in condemning the ways in which race functions as both...
(excerpt from the novel) - Ishmael ReedIshmael ReedIshmael Scott Reed is an American poet, essayist, and novelist. A prominent African-American literary figure, Reed is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture, and highlighting political and cultural oppression.Reed has been described as one of the most controversial...
, Future Christmas (novel excerpt) - Kalamu ya SalaamKalamu ya SalaamKalamu ya Salaam, born 24 March 1947, is a poet, author, and teacher from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. A well known activist and social critic, Salaam has spoken out on a number of racial and human rights issues. For years he did radio shows on WWOZ. Salaam is the co-founder of the NOMMO Literary...
, Can You Wear My Eyes - Robert FlemingRobert Fleming (author)Robert Fleming is a journalist and writer of Erotic fiction and Horror fiction. He is also a contributing editor for Black Issues Book Review...
, The Astral Visitor Delta Blues - Nalo HopkinsonNalo HopkinsonNalo Hopkinson is a Jamaican science fiction and fantasy writer and editor who lives in Canada. Her novels and short stories such as those in her collection Skin Folk often draw on Caribbean history and language, and its traditions of oral and written storytelling.Hopkinson has...
, Ganger (Ball Lightning) - W. E. B. Du Bois, The Comet
- Linda AddisonLinda AddisonLinda D. Addison is an American poet and writer of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Addison is the first African-American winner of the Bram Stoker Award, which she won twice for her poetry collections Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes and Being Full of Light, Insubstantial...
, Twice, at Once, Separated - Honoree Fanonne Jeffers, Sister Lilith
- Evie Shockley, separation anxiety
- Leone Ross, Tasting Songs
- Nalo HopkinsonNalo HopkinsonNalo Hopkinson is a Jamaican science fiction and fantasy writer and editor who lives in Canada. Her novels and short stories such as those in her collection Skin Folk often draw on Caribbean history and language, and its traditions of oral and written storytelling.Hopkinson has...
, Greedy Choke Puppy - Amiri BarakaAmiri BarakaAmiri Baraka , formerly known as LeRoi Jones, is an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays, and music criticism...
, Rhythm Travel - Kalamu ya SalaamKalamu ya SalaamKalamu ya Salaam, born 24 March 1947, is a poet, author, and teacher from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. A well known activist and social critic, Salaam has spoken out on a number of racial and human rights issues. For years he did radio shows on WWOZ. Salaam is the co-founder of the NOMMO Literary...
, Buddy Bolden - Akua Lezli HopeAkua Lezli HopeAkua Lezli Hope is an African American woman artist, poet and writer. Akua is a third generation New Yorker. She was born in Manhattan and grew up in the South Bronx and Queens. Akua has degrees from Williams College and Columbia University in psychology, journalism and business. Akua is a talented...
, The Becoming - Charles W. ChesnuttCharles W. ChesnuttCharles Waddell Chesnutt was an American author, essayist, political activist and lawyer, best known for his novels and short stories exploring complex issues of racial and social identity in the post-Civil War South, where the legacy of slavery and interracial relations had resulted in many free...
, The Goophered Grapevine - Nisi ShawlNisi ShawlNisi Shawl is an African-American writer and journalist. She is best known as a writer of science fiction and fantasy short stories.-Work:Shawl is the co-author of Writing the Other: Bridging Cultural Differences for Successful Fiction, a book derived from the authors' workshop of the same name,...
, At the Huts of Ajala - Henry DumasHenry DumasHenry Dumas was an African American writer and poet.Dumas was born in Sweet Home, Arkansas in 1934 and he lived there until the age of ten, when he moved to New York City; however, he always kept with him the religious and folk traditions of his hometown. In Harlem, he attended public school and...
, Ark of Bones - Tony MedinaTony MedinaTony Medina was a Cuban-born songwriter and writer of popular literature. He is known for the diversity of his musical compositions, which have been recorded by top Latin music artists like Rocio Jurado, Daniela Romo, and Alicia Villareal...
, Butta's Backyard Barbecue - Kiini Ibura Salaam, At Life's Limits
- Anthony JosephAnthony JosephAnthony Joseph is a British poet, novelist, musician and lecturer.Joseph was born in Trinidad and was raised by his grandparents. He began writing as a young child and cites his main influences as the Calypso, surrealism, jazz, the spiritual Baptist church that his grandparents attended, and the...
, The African Origins of UFOs (excerpt from the novel) - Derrick BellDerrick BellDerrick Albert Bell, Jr. was the first tenured African-American professor of Law at Harvard University, and largely credited as the originator of Critical Race Theory. He was the former dean of the University of Oregon School of Law.- Education and early career :Born in the Hill District of...
, The Space Traders - Darryl A. Smith, The Pretended
- Ama Patterson, Hussy Strutt
Essays
- Samuel R. DelanySamuel R. DelanySamuel Ray Delany, Jr., also known as "Chip" is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes a number of novels, many in the science fiction genre, as well as memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society.His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein...
, Racism and Science Fiction - Charles R. SaundersCharles R. SaundersCharles R. Saunders also credited as Charles Saunders is an African American author and journalist currently living in Canada. During his long career, he has written everything from novels both fiction and non-fiction, to screenplays and radio plays.- Background :Saunders was born in Elizabeth,...
, Why Blacks Should Read (and Write) Science Fiction - Walter MosleyWalter MosleyWalter Ellis Mosley is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los...
, Black to the Future - Paul D. Miller, a.k.a. DJ Spooky That Subliminal KidDJ SpookyPaul D. Miller , known by his stage name DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a Washington DC-born electronic and experimental hip hop musician whose work is often called by critics or his fans as "illbient" or "trip hop". He is a turntablist, a producer, a philosopher, and an author...
, Yet Do I Wonder - Octavia E. ButlerOctavia E. ButlerOctavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction writer, one of the best-known among the few African-American women in the field. She won both Hugo and Nebula awards. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant.- Background :Butler...
, The Monophobic Response
Reviews
- The New York Times Review by Gerald Jonas (2000)
- Scifi.com Review by Joe Monti, Issue 167 (July 2000)
- MAKING BOOKS; Science Fiction, A Black Natural by Martin Arnold, New York Times (2000)
- Steven Silver's Review
- African American Review by Candice M. Jenkins (Winter 2000)
- Locus Magazine Review by Gary K. Wolfe (July 2000)
- Locus Magazine Review by Faren Miller (June 2000)
- Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA) Journal Review by Colleen R. Cahill (November 2001)
- Science Fiction Studies at DePauw University Review by Isiah Lavender III (March 2001)
- SF Site Featured Review by Greg L. Johnson (2001)
- A.V. Club Review by Tasha Robinson (2002)
Awards
- 2001 World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology
- Best SF and Fantasy Books of 2000: Editors' Choice, Honourable Mention
Book II Contents
Stories
- Ihsan Bracy, ibo landing
- Cherene Sherrard, The Quality of Sand
- Charles R. SaundersCharles R. SaundersCharles R. Saunders also credited as Charles Saunders is an African American author and journalist currently living in Canada. During his long career, he has written everything from novels both fiction and non-fiction, to screenplays and radio plays.- Background :Saunders was born in Elizabeth,...
, Yahimba's Choice - Nalo HopkinsonNalo HopkinsonNalo Hopkinson is a Jamaican science fiction and fantasy writer and editor who lives in Canada. Her novels and short stories such as those in her collection Skin Folk often draw on Caribbean history and language, and its traditions of oral and written storytelling.Hopkinson has...
, The Glass Bottle Trick - Kiini Ibura Salaam, Desire
- David Findlay, Recovery from a Fall
- Douglas KearneyDouglas Kearney-Life:He graduated from California Institute of the Arts, with an MFA.His work has appeared in Callaloo, nocturnes, jubilat, Gulf Coast.He teaches at California Institute of the Arts.-Awards:...
, Anansi Meets Peter Parker at the Taco Bell on Lexington - Nnedi Okorafor-MbachuNnedi Okorafor-MbachuNnedi Okorafor Nnedi Okorafor Nnedi Okorafor (full name: Nnedimma Nkemdili Okorafor (also previously known as Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu) is a Nigerian-American writer of fantasy, science fiction and speculative fiction.- Background and personal life :...
, The Magical Negro - W. E. B. Du Bois, Jesus Christ in Texas
- Henry DumasHenry DumasHenry Dumas was an African American writer and poet.Dumas was born in Sweet Home, Arkansas in 1934 and he lived there until the age of ten, when he moved to New York City; however, he always kept with him the religious and folk traditions of his hometown. In Harlem, he attended public school and...
, Will the Circle Be Unbroken? - Kevin Brockenbrough, 'Cause Harlem Needs Heroes
- Pam Noles, Whipping Boy
- Ibi Aanu Zoboi, Old Flesh Song
- Walter MosleyWalter MosleyWalter Ellis Mosley is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los...
, Whispers in the Dark - Tananarive DueTananarive DueTananarive Due is an American author.-Biography:Tananarive Priscilla Due was born in Tallahassee, Florida, the oldest of three daughters of civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due and civil rights lawyer John D. Due Jr...
, Aftermoon - Tyehimba JessTyehimba JessTyehimba Jess is an American poet.-Life:He graduated from the University of Chicago, and New York University, with an MFA. He teaches poetry and fiction at CUNY College of Staten Island and is the faculty adviser for Caesura, the university's literary arts magazine.His work appeared in Soul...
, Voodoo Vincent and the Astrostoriograms - John S. Cooley, The Binary
- Jill Robinson, BLACKout
- Charles JohnsonCharles JohnsonCharles Johnson, Charlie Johnson, Charley Johnson or Chuck Johnson may refer to:-American public officials:*Charles Johnson , Democratic-Republican who represented 8th congressional district, 1801–1802...
, Sweet Dreams - Wanda ColemanWanda ColemanWanda Coleman is an American poet. She is known as "the L.A. Blueswoman," and "the unofficial poet laureate of Los Angeles."-Biography:...
, Buying Primo Time - Samuel R. DelanySamuel R. DelanySamuel Ray Delany, Jr., also known as "Chip" is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes a number of novels, many in the science fiction genre, as well as memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society.His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein...
, Corona - Nisi ShawlNisi ShawlNisi Shawl is an African-American writer and journalist. She is best known as a writer of science fiction and fantasy short stories.-Work:Shawl is the co-author of Writing the Other: Bridging Cultural Differences for Successful Fiction, a book derived from the authors' workshop of the same name,...
, Maggies - Andrea HairstonAndrea HairstonAndrea Hairston is an African-American science fiction and fantasy playwright and novelist who is best known for her novels Mindscape and Redwood and Wildfire. Mindscape, Hairston's first novel, won the Carl Brandon Parallax Award and short-listed for the Philip K. Dick Award and the James Tiptree,...
, Mindscape (novel excerpt) - Kalamu ya SalaamKalamu ya SalaamKalamu ya Salaam, born 24 March 1947, is a poet, author, and teacher from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. A well known activist and social critic, Salaam has spoken out on a number of racial and human rights issues. For years he did radio shows on WWOZ. Salaam is the co-founder of the NOMMO Literary...
, Trance
Essays
- Jewelle GomezJewelle GomezJewelle Gomez is an American author, poet, critic and playwright. She lived and worked in New York City for twenty-two years working in public television, theatre as well as philanthropy before relocating to the West Coast...
, The Second Law of Thermodynamics - Nnedi Okorafor-MbachuNnedi Okorafor-MbachuNnedi Okorafor Nnedi Okorafor Nnedi Okorafor (full name: Nnedimma Nkemdili Okorafor (also previously known as Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu) is a Nigerian-American writer of fantasy, science fiction and speculative fiction.- Background and personal life :...
, Her Pen Could Fly: Remembering Virginia Hamilton - Carol Cooper, Celebrating the Alien: The Politics of Race and Species in the Juveniles of Andre Norton
Reviews
- Locus Magazine Review by Gary K. Wolfe (November 2003)
- Locus Magazine Review by Faren Miller (December 2003)
- SF Site Featured Review by Steven H Silver (2004)
- Scifi.com Review by Pamela Sargent, Issue 354 (2004)
- ChickenBones Literary Journal Review
- BookLoons Review by Martina Bexte (2004)
- Curled Up With a Good Book Review by Brian Charles Clark (2004)
- Austin Chronicle Review by Belinda Acosta (2005)
Awards
External links
- Sheree Thomas' Author Page on AALBC
- Black Science Fiction and Fantasy on NPR (audio)
- Book Page for Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora on Hachette Book Group USA
- Book Page for Dark Matter: Reading the Bones on Hachette Book Group USA
- The Carl Brandon Society, A Community of Speculative Fiction Writers of Color
- Charles R. Saunders Interview by Amy Harlib on ScifiDimensions