The State of Black Science Fiction Anthology was born out of a question that mattered deeply to me at the time: What becomes possible when Black speculative creators gather with intention?
In 2012, a group of artists and authors came together to explore that question—not just creatively, but collectively. The goal wasn’t simply to publish a book. It was to contribute to a larger conversation about visibility, power, and possibility within Black speculative fiction.
Building a Movement, Not Just an Anthology
This anthology emerged during a period when Black science fiction, fantasy, and speculative storytelling was expanding rapidly, but still fighting for structural recognition. The contributors involved weren’t waiting for permission. We were imagining futures, reclaiming narratives, and asserting that Black speculative fiction has always been expansive, innovative, and necessary.
For me, the State of Black Science Fiction was about more than stories. It was about:
- creative autonomy
- collective imagination
- and refusing the idea that Black futures are narrow or singular
Why This Project Still Matters
Although this anthology was published in 2012, I keep it archived here because it represents an important chapter in my creative life. Many of the ideas explored in this project—possibility, resistance, futurism, and Black creative power—continue to shape my work today, even as my focus has evolved into serialized fiction and long-form storyworlds.
This anthology was part of learning how to build, collaborate, and contribute to something larger than myself. It helped clarify the kinds of stories I wanted to keep telling—and the systems I wanted to build outside of traditional publishing paths.
An Archive of Possibility
I see the State of Black Science Fiction Anthology as an archive of possibility. A marker of a moment when Black speculative creators were actively naming their presence and imagining forward together.
If you’re interested in the roots of my work, this project offers insight into the questions that shaped my early creative direction—and the values that continue to guide me now.
Click to learn more about the history [LINK]
I’m author Alicia McCalla. Sign-up for my newsletter to get updates, learn about my latest projects and purchase my Black SciFi, Fantasy & Horror Stories!
