Black Authors

  • Fiction Picks for Black History Month 2024

    February is Black History Month and this year, it’s got a special theme: African Americans and the Arts. It’s a great time to read books by and celebrating Black artists across form and genre, so here are some titles to check out centering stories of Black artists. Teju Cole writes thought-provoking, meandering philosophical fiction; his… Continue reading

  • Black History, Black Presence, Black Futures

    This February at the Central Library’s fiction department we’ve added to our traditional Black History display with sections dedicated to Black Presence and Black Futures. Can’t make it to the library? Here’s a taste of what we’ve featured here, all titles from our list of favorite Black fiction books from 2021. Black History: Gone Missing… Continue reading

  • Black History Month reading inspiration: short stories

    While February is a short month — too short — I decided to celebrate this Black History Month by reading a short story a day by Black authors. I have been rotating through a variety of anthologies and collections, delighted by the discoveries within: Heads of the Colored People: Stories by Nafissa Thompson-SpiresMy favorite story… Continue reading

  • In Case You Missed It: Juneteenth Book Fest

    The beauty of our present moment where more of our lives are convening on screens is that you can catch more author events and panels than ever before. On Juneteenth this year an incredible array of Black authors for readers of all ages met as a part of the Juneteenth Book Fest to discuss their… Continue reading

  • Contemporary Plays Available as E-Books

    Months into this pandemic, Seattle’s theatres are still dark and the Central Library’s amazing play file is still behind closed doors. Nonetheless, there are still ways for you to access play scripts virtually and stay engaged with some stimulating contemporary theatre as we all await the theatres’ re-openings. Here are three plays that are available… Continue reading

  • Pride Reads: BIPOC Trans/Non-Binary Poets

    Pride month is a great time to be delving deeper into poetry, and in particular the kind of poetry that shares aspects of LGBTQIA+ experience. More specifically, voices that are often pushed to the margins of the queer community – the voices of trans and non-binary Black, Indigenous, People of Color – are especially important… Continue reading

  • Pride Reads: Black Women Writers

    This Pride month, as the world is rising up in solidarity with American cities protesting against racism, white supremacy, and police brutality, it is sobering to think about the many Black, queer lives that have been lost to these oppressive systems. As queer people, it is also a great time to remember that we celebrate… Continue reading