Blog Circus: State of Black SciFi 2012 Youth Symposium at Auburn Research Library

I’m a little late this week so I’m catching up with the other writers who will be participating in the Youth Symposium at the Auburn Research Library this Saturday, May 5^th.  The topic is when I was a child, speculative fiction taught me…

I fell in love with scifi and fantasy when I was really young. In fact, one of my first stories that I wrote was a spaceship story about two black children who escape from harsh city life and fly in a cool spaceship to explore the universe. The title was “Lashamn and Zeneco’s Space Adventures.”

I remember watching Star Trek movies and going to see Star Wars as a preteen.  I also remember falling in love with those great SciFi/Fantasy authors like Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Douglas Adams, and Ray Bradbury. For some reason, these stories of the wild and outlandish appealed to me in a way that traditional literature did not. It was like I “sang to my own tune” and my imagination soared. That’s what’s important about young people reading speculative fiction. It gives them the opportunity to explore, dream, and rethink our society.  And, doubly so, it is so important for our youth to see themselves represented in this literature and movies.  This is why the State of Black SciFi 2012 has brought this youth symposium alive.

If you have a young adult who loves speculative fiction and has an interest in mixing that with Africana culture, history, peoples, and traditions, please bring them to this wonderful event on Saturday.  I’m sure they’ll have a wonderful time. Here’s the information.

Check out the other authors who are participating. BTW, it also looks like we’ll have a special visit from Tananarive Due. So exciting!

Ed Hall - Alabama escapee Ed Hall writes journalism, poetry, and fiction. He serves as host of Eyedrum’s monthly literary forum, Writers Exchange, and as an organizer of Eyedrum’s annual Experimental Writers Asylum (which is part of the Decatur Book Festival). His work has appeared in Newsweek, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Code Z: Black Visual Culture Now, and the Dictionary of Literary Biography. He plans to have his first novel, a sf-pionage story for young adults, come out soon. 

L.M. Davis - L. M. Davis, Author--began her love affair with fantasy in the second grade.  Her first novel, Interlopers: A Shifters Novel, was released in 2010, and the follow-up Posers:  A Shifters Novel will be released this spring. For more information visit her blog http://shiftersseries.wordpress.com/ or her website www.shiftersnovelseries.com. 

Alan Jones - Alan Jones, a native Atlantan, former columnist for the Atlanta Tribune and Wall Street Consultant, writes a brand of science fiction suitable for both adults and young adults. His brand of science fiction blends fanciful characters and scenarios with generous doses of philosophy and social commentary.  His book, To Wrestle with Darkness, is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble and most major retailers. Visit Alan http://wrestlewithdarkness.ning.com/profile/Alan. 

Alicia McCalla - Alicia McCalla is a native of Detroit, Michigan who curreat ntly resides in Metro Atlanta, Georgia.  She writes for both young adults and adults with her brand of multicultural science fiction, urban fantasy, romance and futurism. Her debut novel, Breaking Free is available in print and for immediate download on Amazon and other booksellers. The Breaking Free theme song, Keep Moving, created by Asante McCalla is available for immediate download on itunes and Amazon. Visit her at: www.aliciamccalla.com 

Balogun Ojetade - Author of the bestselling “Afrikan Martial Arts: Discovering the Warrior Within” (non-fiction), “Moses: The Chronicles of Harriet Tubman” (Steampunk) and “Redeemer” (science fiction); and screenwriter, director and producer of the feature film, “A Single Link” (martial arts drama). Visit him: http://chroniclesofharriet.wordpress.com/

Milton Davis – Milton Davis is owner/publisher of MVmedia, LLC . As an author he specializes in science fiction and fantasy and is the author of Meji Book One, Meji Book Two and Changa’s Safari. He is also co-editor of Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology.  Visit him:www.mvmediaatl.com and www.wagadu.ning.com.

Wendy Raven McNair – is a wife, mother, artist and author of the Young Adult novels, Asleep and Awake. Visit her at http://wendyravenmcnair.com/page19.php.