Oakland, CA January 5th, 2024 -- Sistah Scifi proudly announces the Sistah Scifi West Coast Book Tour for "Ghost Roast," a stand-alone young adult graphic novel from award-winning authors Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs. The tour, which is part of an effort to promote diversity in science fiction and fantasy literature, will take place in Los Angeles at Octavia's Bookshelf, Oakland at Chapter 510, Seattle at Distant Worlds Coffee, and in Portland at Third Eye Bookstore.
"Ghost Roast" brings to life a paranormal adventure filled with first crushes, lost histories, and the challenges of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghosthunter. The story centers around Chelsea Grant, a young girl striving to distance herself from her father's occupation, only to discover she has the unique ability to see the ghosts her father hunts. Ghost Roast is published by Versify, an imprint of HarperCollins. “Ghost Roast, written by Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs, is an exceptional graphic novel and a testament to the power of authentic cultural storytelling in young adult literature. The Gibbs Sisters have created a captivating narrative that combines supernatural elements with themes of family and self-discovery, making it a must-read for tweens, teens, and adults. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the Sistah Scifi West Coast Book Tour will have on ongoing promotion of diversity and representation in science fiction and fantasy," says Weslie Turner, Senior Editor at Versify.
The authors, Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs, are celebrated writers and producers from Oakland, California, currently based in Los Angeles. They specialize in creating content for television, animation, and publishing, with credits spanning across networks including Warner Brothers Animation, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks Animation, and Marvel Comics.
The Gibbs Sisters expressed their excitement for the Sistah Scifi West Coast Tour for "Ghoast Roast". "We are thrilled to embark on the Sistah Scifi West Coast Book Tour. This graphic novel is a labor of love for us. 'Ghost Roast' brings together themes of family, identity, and the supernatural in a way that we hope will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. We look forward to connecting with readers and fans from Los Angeles to Seattle, and sharing our passion for storytelling and inclusion."
Sistah Scifi is the first Black-owned bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy in the United States. Launched in 2019, the online-based Sistah Scifi has successfully connected a community of over 50,000 points of contact across various social media platforms. In 2023, Sistah Scifi expanded its reach by launching three Sistah Scifi book vending machines in Seattle, WA, and Oakland, CA.
The tour venues are renowned for their cultural significance and commitment to community engagement. Octavia's Bookshelf, opened in February 18th, 2023 by Nikki High, is the first independent bookstore highlighting BIPOC authors in Pasadena, CA. Chapter 510, a youth writing, bookmaking, and publishing center in Oakland, provides a supportive community for Black, brown, and queer youth to explore their creativity. Distant Worlds Coffee is a geek-friendly coffee shop in Seattle that serves as a meeting place for those who enjoy science fiction and fantasy. Third Eye Bookstore, founded in 2019 in Portland, is a top supplier of African-centered books, accessories, and gifts in the Portland Metro Area.
With the Sistah Scifi West Coast Book Tour for "Ghost Roast," Sistah Scifi continues its mission to promote diversity in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. By showcasing the unique voices and stories of Black and Indigenous authors, Sistah Scifi hopes to inspire a new generation of readers and writers.
Launched in 2019, Sistah Scifi is the first Black owned bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy in the United States. Located primarily in cyberspace, Sistah Scifi launched three Sistah Scifi Book Vending Machines in 2023 in Seattle, WA and Oakland, CA and connected a community of over 50K points of contact across social media platforms.
