Literati: Black Female Writers

Midnight & Indigo is a literary journal and publisher dedicated to short fiction and narrative essays by Black women writers. Edited by Ianna Small, their latest release is a special issue that celebrates 22 Black women writers of Speculative fiction. From basements to highways, small towns to new worlds, emerging and established storytellers share tales of fear and discovery, redemption, and resistance. A few highlights:

In “Don't Go There” by Tracy Cross, a babysitter learns that a father keeps monsters in the basement. What could be scarier than monsters in the basement?
In the woods of Kent County, Black girls have disappeared in broad daylight. Despite her mother’s warning, Georgia Lakefield decides to go for a walk on the trail one August morning in “Down the Kent County Trail” by Changu Chiimbwe.
“Watercolors” by Ravynn K. Stringfield was inspired by a line written by Ntozake Shange in Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo–“Where there is a woman there is magic,” moved to write about the subtle, everyday magic that provides Black girls with our unique glow. Connecting us to each other, our magic joins together to create something beautiful.
Olivia spends her days sitting on the balcony with her friend, Laura. Today is different, as she awaits her sister’s arrival in “The Apple and the Pear” by Jennifer Coley. Tara Lusulo is a Watcher. As her powers grow, so do complications with the shadowy organization that can help her control them. “The Watchers” by Nicole Young is a thrilling tale of international espionage that explores family, race, gender, and power through a Zambian girl’s struggle to understand her supernatural gifts.

To purchase this or other great works published by Midnight & Indigo, visit their website: https://midnight-indigo.myshopify.com/

– IJ

RoundtableChristina SpearmanMarch 8, 2021Literati