Tag: LGBTQ

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LGBTQ Books by Black Authors

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

I am absolutely in awe of all the wonderful people out there right now, who are protesting, fundraising, debating, blogging, sharing on social media, and generally doing their part to help the world move forward as a better, more equal place to live. In support, and because this is, after all, Pride Month, I’ve gathered a few links to LGBTQ books by Black authors.

Note: I wanted to highlight some of the websites, people, and organizations already doing this work, instead of writing up my own list. This means I have not yet read many of these books — though my to-read list is suddenly a LOT longer than it was.

Please support an indie bookstore if you can. Also, many libraries are reopening, even if just for curbside pickup — consider requesting a title if they don’t already have it. And remember, there are many ways to help an author if you are not in a position to buy books, such as sharing book titles and lists with friends or on social media. Happy reading!

Black Children’s Books and Authors

12 YA Books by Black Authors

Although these are all fiction titles, this recent article includes a link to an interview by activist and author George M. Johnson about his non-fiction YA debut.

YA Pride

16 LGBTQIAP+ Books by Black Authors

An older post, written for Black History Month 2019, with a good mix of contemporary and speculative fiction.

LGBTQ Reads

Black History Month 2020

A comprehensive list of websites, fiction, graphic novels, poetry, and memoirs. Fiction is divided by age category, with middle grade, YA, and NA/adult suggestions, including a speculative fiction selection.

We Need Diverse Books

Resources for Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion

A resource list that includes book recommendations and Black-owned bookstores. And while you’re there, check out their blog posts and other website sections.

Also, don’t miss this Facebook event TONIGHT! JUNE 4TH 2020

The Brown Bookshelf 

Kidlit Rally for Black Lives

This one isn’t LGBTQ in theme, but if you have time, drop by @thebrownbookshelf on Facebook Live TONIGHT as Black authors and publishers come together in an online event.

Image from The Brown Bookshelf

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LGBTQ Characters in SF/F

diverse
Happy Pride from Lix, Ben, and Camille.

It’s Pride Month, and I thought I’d do a round-up of some of my favorite LGBTQ characters in science fiction and fantasy. I have a few in my own work; in the Blade Hunt Chronicles, my half-demon Camille is pansexual. My thief-witch Ben, who appears in Night Blade (Book 2), is gay, and so is his crewmate Lix.

YA fiction is probably a good place to start if you’re looking for LGBTQ characters. One of my current darlings is sharpshooter and thief Jesper Fahey, from the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo. Jesper is bisexual (and a terrible flirt, too), and his romance with Wylan Van Eck is absolutely adorable.

Another YA character that I adore is Pen Khan from the Skyscraper Throne trilogy by Tom Pollock. In Book 2, The Glass Republic, Pen travels to London-Under-Glass and meets Espel; the two girls team up to save mirror London and steal each other’s hearts along the way.

I’m a huge fan of the Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater, and Ronan Lynch was my top character from the start. I loved his slow-burn romance with Adam Parrish (oh, the pining!!!), and I’m so happy that Stiefvater is working on a new Ronan-based trilogy.

Moving away from YA, a great fantasy read from an indie press is The Art of Forgetting duology by Joanne Hall. In the first book, Rider, we meet Rhodri and watch him fall in love with one of his fellow soldiers. In the sequel, Nomad, Rhodri meets and marries a woman from a distant nomadic nation. His bisexuality is nicely handled, and his marriage does not in any way erase the legitimacy of his first relationship in the narrative.

How about love in space? One of my fave characters in Jo Zebedee’s Inheritance Trilogy is the main protagonist’s brother-in-law, Lichio le Payne. Even in space, it isn’t easy being bisexual while having an important military role, and Zebedee does a good job of helping us understand what Lichio goes through.

There are a lot of other great LGBTQ characters around in speculative fiction; Rhy Maresh, a bisexual prince in V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic trilogy comes to mind, as well as Rick Riordan’s genderfluid character Alex Fierro from the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard books. Why not share some of your own personal favorites in the comments?

*The awesome Blade Hunt Chronicles character art is by Corinna Marie. She takes commissions and is a lovely person!