San Francisco, CA January 4th, 2024 -- To honor Black History Month, the San Francisco Public Library's African American Center and Sistah Scifi, the first Black-owned bookstore in the United States specializing in science fiction and fantasy, are launching the inaugural 'Sistah Scifi Series'. This novel series celebrates the rich Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy genres, showcasing the remarkable works of Black women authors in the fast-paced world of speculative literature.
The kick-off event, Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6 PM, features Kemi Ashing-Giwa, author of the debut novel, 'The Splinter in the Sky". Ashing-Giwa's story revolves around Enitan, a young tea expert who becomes a political prisoner and is subsequently recruited as a government spy. As she navigates this new, dangerous world, Enitan discovers her potential to regain her nation's independence. Born and raised in Southern California, Ashing-Giwa's love for science fiction and fantasy began at an early age. She has studied integrative biology and astrophysics at Harvard University and is currently a PhD student in the Earth & Planetary Sciences department at Stanford University.
Sydney Morris, Public Manager at Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster that published 'The Splinter in the Sky', expresses her belief in the importance of such events. "We are proud to have Kemi Ashing-Giwa's work in our portfolio. The 'Sistah Scifi Series' provides a much-needed platform for authors like her to share their extraordinary stories and inspire others."
Shawna Sherman, Manager at the African American Center, also expresses her support for the 'Sistah Scifi Series'. "This is a momentous occasion for us. We hope that through this series, we can celebrate and bring to light the significant contributions of Black women authors to the science fiction and fantasy genres."
The 'Sistah Scifi Series' is a step towards recognizing and honoring the contributions of Black authors in the world of speculative literature. Future events will include Tlotlo Tsamaase, author of Womb City slated on March 14th. With the partnership of the African American Center and Sistah Scifi, the series hopes to inspire and encourage more diverse voices in the literary world.
