I am an author and have been writing for most of my life. I am particularly fond of fables, short stories, and epic fantasy. What I have noticed, and perhaps this is just because of my own ignorance, is a rather thin collection of fantasy and adventure novels with young adult characters of African descent.
One thing that has always turned me off from books like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and others is the complete whiteness of all of the characters and the Euro-centric locations and motifs. It seems to be understood, without any questioning, that such characters are to be painted white, and the films based on those books seem to confirm that reality without fail.
To find fantasy books with African, Indian, and Middle Eastern motifs that are not polluted with stereotypical characters and plots is rare. When I set out to write my book, I did not consciously insert such characters into it. It was rather an expression of the type of fantasy that I had already envisioned in my head as a young adult and later as an author.
I think most authors write about what they know, and it is not unusual for white authors to write about white characters in white settings. I can, therefore, only conclude two relative rarities: 1. A black author who writes about fantasy and adventure. 2. A black author who writes about fantasy and adventure and includes black characters without making the story a stereotypical “black issue”.
I’m hoping that I’m just making a generalization and there are at least a few exceptions out there. If there are, please feel free list them in comments.
Please check out the following books: The Rites of Pretending Tribe, and Intracations.
Cordially,
John Dimes
Hey!
I’m so glad I found your site. What a breath of fresh air! I too am a writer, and an artist of color. My genres of interest are children’s stories, fantasy, sci fi, epic…
It’s hard because when I try to be inspired and pull from other sources the choices for us are indeed slim. Considering the amount of time off the plantation, it really hasn’t been that long, for our imaginations to be in total free fruition.
You mentioned LOTR, there is a method to his writing, and great symbolism involving us… another topic*
Thats why when I look at African American children’s books, I see titles like, “Follow The Drinking Gourd” and ” What Slavery Means To Me” We are still in that “process” of self education and healing I guess.
Many of the African folktales I’ve seen are post colonization and have elements of Christian reform in them.
The funny thing about it all, is that sci fi genre is really talking about ppl of color… as most of the stories are pulled from out mysticism and our lore. We were always master orators and storytellers, we valued the oral tradition more then the printed word.
I would love to build and exchange words… maybe you can contact me. Peace**
I’ve been writing over a decade now myself. And like the other person said, it’s good to find another Black writer of fantasy.
I will keep in touch.
I too am an author/artist, and love the many worlds of fantasy, legend, etc. I am white and absolutely love to explore the literature and arts of all cultures. I love people. Your people have always facinated me. I too discovered that there is a slack of literature and art in this department. It is mainly of
Egyptian character. I have saved your site and can’t wait to see you guys publish your works!
Finally! I thought I was the only one that felt this way. The way to change this is to just do it! Tolkien and Rowling wrote from the standpoint of who they were/are. I can’t blame them for that. We all know there are many many people of color that love and support fantasy and sci-fi. There just doesn’t seem to be many that are authors that are getting their works published and as you put it (and I completely agree), are NOT writing “fantasy and adventure [that] includes black characters without making the story a stereotypical “black issue”’. We need/must change this. Don’t look to white or any other writers to do this for you/us. We must wrtie our fanatasy stories. I mean, it’s fantasy! We create the world and ALL that comes with it. Our people can/should be anything we want them to be…especially free! Keep in touch please.
For true fantasy, read “A Hundred Thousand Kingdoms” and “BrokenKingdoms” by N.K. Jemisen. I devoured these. This woman has a very fertile imagination and the books are real page-turners. Some of the characters are Caucasian, some African-American; however, the heroines of both books are very strong African-American women. I am desperately awaiting the third book in the series!