Posted by A J Harper on January 31, 2009 at 3:47pm
I want to put together a catalog of Black Sci-Fi/Fantasy novelsPlease add five books that should be included,I'll start1. The Seer Legacy of Stone & Spirit by Iya Ta’Shia Asanti2. Meji by Milton Davis3. Immortal by Valjeanne Jeffers4. Marvelous World by Troy Cle’s5. Night Biters AJ Harper
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I'd like to be very dramatic and say: "the sexiness of American films came to a screeching halt during the 1930." Sounds pretty good doesn't? still friends, films aren't automobiles. There is always a time lag -- a period of incubation -- between action and reaction.What's more, a closer look at the sexual freedom of the 1920s shows that it was nothing more than an illusion. For example Three Weeks is the story of a woman having a very satisfying love affair and then returning to an unhappy marriage. Great! That takes care of three weeks, how about the next 80 years?And did you know that before 1929 it was taboo to depict any physical contact between Black men and women. Hallelujah was the first movie in film history to portray a kiss between African Americans -- so terrified were the White dream weavers of opening the Pandora's box of Black sexuality.And with a sleight of hand Hollywood lifted one taboo, Black physical contact, and invoked another: the 1934 Production code. This code banned all sexuality on screen. Within this motif Native American women stepped out of the shadows and into Fallen Women roles. Hollywood was still using White actresses to play Native American roles but as awful as these films were, maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. White women from this point forward would be whores or goddesses; Black women that curious mixture of goddess and servant: Mammy. Women were de-sexed. And would remain so until the 1940s.Mammy had actually emerged during the 19th century idealization of slavery: as part of the Victorian family fairytale (Paula Giddings. When and Where I Enter.) This plantation family included: Old Marsa, the stern but fair patriarch; Missy a tolerant angel of mercy; a plantation full of grinning darkies; and Mammy, the plantation nanny and nursemaid. This "family" was the slaveholders answer to abolitionists: slave owners were trying desperately to save that peculiar institution --even as slavery took it last dying breath.She [Mammy] was first and foremost asexual and consequently she had to befat (preferably obese); she also had to give the impression of not being cleanso she was the wearer of a great dirty headrag; her too tight shoes from whichemerged her large feet were further confirmation of her bestial cow-like quality.Her greatest virtue of course was her love for white folk whom she willingly andpassively served (bell hooks/ 1981/p84/ Aint't I a Woman)Mammy was the ultimate in racist, sexist mythology and prefigured the 1930s myth of Aunt Jemima; appearing in such films as Gone with the Wind (193).White actress, Mae West, was the sensation of 1933. That is until the Production Code shut her down.Her voice radiated irony, her eyes sized up potential lovers as though theywere sides of beef, and her hips mesmerized a nation (Bergman, 1971; p56).If anything, West was a parody of the fallen woman. She preferred dating wealthy men and draped her body with diamonds and furs she brought with their money. Yet despite the fact that West was a gold digger she was in control -- of her body and her finances: she could not be manipulated, refused to be solemn about her body and made it clear she liked her pleasures and like her freedom (Bergman, 1971). And her lighthearted attitude about sex reduced it social consequences to so much rubbish. When Cary Grant asks Mae: "Haven't you ever met a man who could make you happy?" her answer was liberating: "Sure. Lots of times." (Bergman, 1971; p56).Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers-Thompson 1997; 2009 all rights reserved.
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I’m ecstatic to announce that earlier this week I sold my first adult novel to DAW Books. The book is titled Who Fears Death? and it is possibly the most terrifying book I’ve ever written.I started writing it just after my father passed in 2004 and the very nature of the story plagued me with nightmares as I was writing it. It also plagued several of my friend with nightmares when they read it. The story is relentless and unflinching. It was inspired by the genocide in the Sudan and written just after the passing of my father (I started it a week after). There is deep deep African magic. There is terrible violence, but there is beauty too.David Anthony Durham, author of Acacia, said this about Who Fears Death?: "Nnedi Okorafor has embarked on a rather stunning literary journey. In several wonderful novels and short stories, she has tapped into diverse traditions that date back into the dawn of humanity’s first storytelling ventures. She uses this material toward a forward-looking complexity that, I believe, predicts the coming face of global speculative fiction. Her latest novel for adults, Who Fears Death?, is urgently topical, at times brutal, and always wholly original. It’s no surprise she’s been racking up awards. There are more to come, surely."It is scheduled for release in early 2010. My YA utterly insane fantasy novel, tentatively called Sunny and the Leopard People (this title is going to change) is scheduled for release in the fall of 2010.In other news, the paperback of The Shadow Speaker comes out in March. Watch for the book trailer.Nnedi
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Why is it? – A man wakes up in the morning after sleeping under an advertised blanket on an advertised mattress and pull off advertised pajamas? Takes a bath in an advertised tub, shaves with an advertised razor, washes with an advertised soap, put on advertised clothes, sits down to breakfast of advertised coffee, put on an advertised hat, rides to his office in an advertised car, writes with an advertised pen.. Then he refuses to advertise, says that advertising doesn’t pay, and then, if business isn’t good enough to advertise ... he then advertises it for sale. So, if you believe in your business and Want to build it. ADVERTISE. With at said, we would like to extend a hand to you to advertise your products on BlackScienceFictionStore.com. We are extending the initial entry to the store till Friday, January 30, 2008. For all members with merchandise such as books, movies, comics etc. Please send your 35 dollar payment so we can get you and your products listed on BlackScienceFictionStore.com If you are serious about making money selling your products please join us to sell your work in our BlackScienceFictionStore.com site that will be launched February 1, 2009. What better time to sell Black Science Fiction than on Black History Month? We really want to jump start the consumption of black science fiction and we need the support of each of you. To sweeten the deal we plan to E-blast 40 thousand individuals and media outlets about the store. That will benefit all those who are onboard and listed. We want at least 20 vendors in the store to make a strong showing. We have great things in store for Black Science Fiction and we want us all to be a part of it. If you have already sent in your payment please disregard this message. Also, you can send payments via PayPal to: info@thedigitalbrothers.com Sincerely, Jarvis “J. Bernard” Sheffield BlackScienceFictionSociety.com The Digital Brothers 121 Oak Valley Circle Smyrna, TN 37167
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The business of films is the business of dreams.Michael Woods 1975 America in the Movies...Our time machine sets down at the turn of the century. America is young, fresh and full of ambition. Across an orange and purple tinted dawn walks Eve...she is still beautiful, still hopeful that some one will recognize her true, true name. She doesn't know that soon she will be exploited by the Hollywood dream machine... Let's roll forward to the year 1915: W.D. GrIffith's notorious classic The Birth of a Nation is about to debut.Audiences are squirming in anticipation...
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BLACK SCIENCE FICTION STORE OFFICIAL DEADLINE TODAY For all members with merchandise such as books, movies, comics etc. Please send your 35 dollar payment so we can get you and your products listed on BlackScienceFictionStore.com If you are serious about making money selling your products please join us to sell your work in our BlackScienceFictionStore.com site that will be launched February 1, 2009. What better time to sell Black Science Fiction than on Black History Month? We really want to jump start the consumption of black science fiction and we need the support of each of you. To sweeten the deal we plan to E-blast 40 thousand individuals and media outlets about the store. That will benefit all those who are onboard and listed. We want at least 20 vendors in the store to make a strong showing. We have great things in store for Black Science Fiction and we want us all to be a part of it. If you have already sent in your payment please disregard this message. Also, you can send payments via PayPal to: info@thedigitalbrothers.com Sincerely, Jarvis “J. Bernard” Sheffield BlackScienceFictionSociety.com The Digital Brothers 121 Oak Valley Circle Smyrna, TN
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So I've committed myself to working hard for my screenwriting organization, (The Organization of Black Screenwriters), and screening films for the Los Angeles Film Festival, but I have to make time for my own writing, especially my short stories.My goal this year is to take weekend trips out of town for my own personal writing retreats. I find that I am most inspired when I am in a new place, or sitting in church. (Not that my church is boring, but Rev Michael Beckwith of Agape International inspires me so much, I often find myself writing a story in my head while he is talking to the congregation.)So now I'm looking for sacred places to write. One of the best I found was on a camping trip I took to the Redwoods. My partner and I pitched our tent, ate, then went exploring. I wrote in my journal at the time that it was like walking in the presence of God. There is a vibration there among those ginormous trees. They are ancient beings, and we treated them as such. I wanted to run back and grab a boom box and play "Natural Mystic" for those Redwood trees. The energy there was palpable. There was an electrical current in the air, and I remember my scalp was tingling, and the air was misty. It took a little work to breath. Like breathing mystic chords of memory.Maybe that's where I will go next when it gets warm. Back to the Redwoods with my Ipod and speakers. I'll play Bob Marley's song, and sit there writing. I think I'll bring my digital recorder too, because I swear, if I left that thing over night on voice activated, I believe I would come back and hear voices on it. And then I would freak out, cuz the Redwood tress may start walking like in "Lord of the Rings".Sounds like a plan. Maybe they will tell me some stories and I'll write "The History of the World: A Redwood Tree Perspective."
Well, Juno Books became an imprint of Pocket Books. Juno published Wind Follower. Now, this may be good news but it might not be. Juno's been going toward urban fantasy. I like folkloric fantasy. Exploring tribal culture and what makes tribes. Current novel is Constant Tower which needs an agent cause it's neither urban fantasy nor does it have a female protag which is what Juno wants. But it's such a great book! What to do!I have another novel, Daughters of Men, which many folks loved and which was a near miss with an agent at Maass and with Dorchester and the editor at Juno said it needed a lotta work. Now, it would fit into the urban fantasy genre perfectly. So I could try working on it. Aaargh, to revisit a book I haven't worked on in about four years! But I suppose those characters are part of me because I love them very much.But I'm also working on my serial killer-succubus novel. Can I juggle all three? Will see. Might have to send a note to the Juno editor telling her my issues and wondering.Now, the weird thing about the Pocket alliance is that many of us Juno authors don't fit into the new Juno. What will Pocket do with us if we don't write urban fantasy? I'd like to think that being black and a Christian, Pocket might have a place for me because they have a Christian line and they might have a black line or a fantasy line. Not sure what's going on. Who knows? I'll only give that to God. This is one of those moments when the talk must become the walk and the rubber hits the road. I say that I trust God, right? I say that the word of God is powerful to change every situation, right? So will I walk around the house thanking God for this opportunity and for what he is going to do with me now that I'm ostensibly at Pocket Juno? Or will I look at the pathological truth and go about repeating that, especially since Juno might be putting some books out of print or remaindering them? Lord knows, how much money Wind Follower made for them!Promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west. Let me trust in God.
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Male dominated institutions, especially corporate interests, see the dangers posed to them by love's escape. Women who love themselves are threatening. But men who love real women, are even more of a threat. Naomi Wolf The Beauty Myth.Mainstream media has been described as one of the most widespread tools of social control. Through films,TV, music and videos we learn what to eat and what to hope for; where to live, what to desire and what to dream. Mainstream media impacts these values in such subtle ways that it's downright scary. From day to day, hour to hour we are ingesting them -- values racism, sexism, classism and we're not even aware of it.As Meehan, author of Ladies of the Evening found that some of the roles models we see on TV we ignore. Not many of us, for example, want to learn how to be a prostitute. But many other fantasy characters we see are parents, neighbors and lovers and these we do pay attention too.People learn how to behave from television and film roles models just as they emulate real ones. Research has even shown that we can take on the attitudes, ideas etc from popular culture's portrayal of our group (e.g. Black women) then go on to make assumptions about how we think other groups might behave (e.g. Black men)! Many are afraid to disagree with these stereotypes because they're afraid of being laughed at or called an outsider -- so they spread in what has been called a spiral of silence (Price, 1989).If all of this sounds like science fiction consider the OJ Simpson trial: the defendant in question a Black male celebrity and former pro football star accused of murdering his white wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her male friend, Ron Goldman. Psychologists Friedland and Potash commented that we, as a culture, looked upon OJ as fallen hero and that we were both betrayed and stunned.And the media's gory coverage of Simpson trial, including the manipulation of Blacks and Whites into opposing boxing corners, makes one wonder just who and what was being tried? Simpson's guilt or innocence or a man's right to own and abuse his property -- his property in this case being Nicole, especially since he was paying the bills? (As a case in point I talked several white men who swore that he was innocent!) Or perhaps the millions of Black folk who've been screwed by the judicial system were on trial and Nicole and Ron were sacrificed to their collective rage?Hallis has described TV News as an ideological medium: providing not just information and entertainment but pockets of consciousness -- clues for reacting to social and political reality. (From Bell Hooks Yearning. ). I couldn't agree more.Valjeanne Jeffers-Thompson Copyright 1997, 2009 all rights reserved.This is from a book entitled The Story of Eve which I finished in 1997 and never published. Much of the research is, I admit, dated; but I'm astounded at how much of it still applies to how we view and ingest media. Anyway I've been threatening to post some of it for months so here goes:) Comments and critiques are welcomed:)
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Hello everyone, Earth Squadron is steadily working towards our goals with the project. However, due to the economic downturn the action figure has been put on hold for several months. It will definitely be complete during the summer. The storyline is complete with new additions to the ever growing universe. Even with the setbacks we’ve come to understand that everything happens for a reason. We’ve been privy to some new software that we are in the process of mastering which will increase the quality of our product. Here are the goals that we have set for the projects Comic Books Action Figures 3D Movies 3D Video Games I am very excited about the things we have in store. If you would like to help the project along we would be more than happy to accept any donation that you would like to commit to help the project along. Send PayPal payment to info@thedigitalbrothers.com
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I Posted this in the 2nd annual BSFS open mic, but I wanted to make sure I shared it with all of my BSFS family -- especially since I started crying as I was writing it. This is a day of triumph us all!!!Queen Moon in the housespittin trueToday is OUR DAYand I'm looking back20 years we were led astraymade to feel like our hands were tiedthe media chained, hobbled ustold us a pack of liesbut now our Ancestorsrise up and walkspeak of the Nileof royalty and brilliancethat was always oursof a Sister named Mosesrunning through the woodsslave catchers at her backof demonstrations whenpolice dogs attacked --of lawyers, teachers, inventorsand more...this is when and where we Enterand I'm standing with Zora, OctaviaJames and Richard at my backcarrying our load of dreams in my sackcome on scifi SISTER AND BROTHERSlet's shake things up!Let's make it real!Compared to what?Compared to usand what we feel!"Our voice is powerful!Our voice is change!Our voice cannot be silenced!We are voice of the peopleAND - WE - WILL- BE - HEARD!"Naomi - Immortal II: The Time of Legend
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I'm watching Obama take office, and before he even stepped onto the dais, I was rocking my feet like the African women from Kenya to Nigeria, who move their hips, ushering in the elements and pushing power forward through their arms and the ululations they call with tongue and teeth. A martini glass in my hand, and hope in my heart, I'm thinkin', "Damn, this is a new day."Although I know Obama isn't as progressive as I want him to be, game peeps game when it comes to this historic moment. I hope all of us recognize the words of that old negro spiritual from McFadden & Whitehead,"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now".Have a new day family.
Hey Dolls and Guys I updated my page so that http://stores.lulu.com/vjeffers in included in my sites.Shameless self promotion I know -- but is there any other kind (smile)?Peace, ya'll
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The message is clear: you can’t keep an Ilyassai down. Imaro is back, bigger and badder than ever. The third volume of his larger-than-life adventures – “Imaro: The Trail of Bohu” – is now available at www.lulu.com. You can read an excerpt from it in the Discussions section of the Sword and Soul group on this site.I have two people to thank for helping me to keep Imaro in print after the setback the series suffered in 2007. The first is Brother Uraeus, who started the publishing company, Sword & Soul Media, that will be bringing out Imaro’s fourth and fifth volumes later this year. Also forthcoming is a collection of Imaro short stories, under the title “The Warrior’s Way.” Uraeus was the one who suggested going to the print-on-demand format, which we began in April 2007, with the publication of “Dossouye.” Bringing his superb editing and design skills to the fore, Uraeus has made this book – and “Dossouye” – the best-produced volumes they can possibly be. Thanks for your hard work, Brother Uraeus. We’re gonna keep on keepin’ on.The other person to whom I am grateful is artist extraordinaire Mshindo Kuumba, who created the covers for both this edition of “Imaro: The Trail of Bohu” and “Dossouye,” and will be doing cover art for the rest of the books in the series. At the time I first started writing Imaro stories, my dream was to have his books come out with covers by the legendary Frank Frazetta, whose Conan cover art made both him and the character iconic. That never happened, and I was left with a longing that was unfulfilled. But when Uraeus introduced me to Mshindo’s art, the first thought that came into my mind was: “Forget Frazetta! Who needs him?” And that was before Mshindo came up with his renditions of Dossouye, then Imaro. I am so glad that Mshindo has decided to associate his creative vision with mine.Any creative endeavor is a risk. Artists, writers, musicians … we all put ourselves on the line when we offer the results of our inspiration and perspiration to the public. It’s not an easy path we follow. But when our books, our paintings, our songs come out of ourselves and are out there for people to see and hear – nothing, not even critics, can take away that fulfillment.Let me close by saying that the first two Imaro volumes – “Imaro” and “Imaro 2: The Quest for Cush” – have not gone out of print. They are still available from Amazon.com, or directly from their publisher, www.nightshadebooks.com.Sword-and-Soul is on the move. People get ready … there’s an Ilyassai coming.
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I am going for broke...I recently posted a press release on PRWEB.COMhttp://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1812854.htmoffering the film rights and options on my debut novel on a bid basis to interested film producers, production companies and investors.My Google and Yahoo results have dramatically increased and many websites have picked up the news.I would like George Lucas and Industrial Light and Magic to be involved with the special effects.Howard Shore should compose the music as he did so well with The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.Gore Verbinski, who directed the Pirates Trilogy, I think would do a fine job on this project.Blue Ridge Motion Pictures in Asheville, hopefully would be the base of production operations for the film.Some characters in the novel were written with certain actors and actresses in mind to portray the film roles.Andie MacDowell - star of Four Weddings and A Funeral, Groundhog Day, Green Card, Greystroke: Legend of Tarzan, etc.Ellen Page - star of Juno, Smart People, Xmen: The Last Stand, etc.Danny Glover - star of Lonesome Dove, 2012, Royal Tenenbaums, Lethal Weapon, The Color Purple, etc.Samuel L. Jackson - star of The Spirit, Pulp Fiction, Star Wars prequel trilogy, Unbreakable, etc.Ron Perlman - star of Beauty and the Beast, Hellboy, Bubba Nosferatu, etc.Scarlett Johansson - star of Vicky Christina Barcelona, Match Point, Lost In Translation, etc.
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This is an Op-Ed article I had published in a local newspaper last week. Given its subject matter, I think it remains relevant.Rare Convergence in Political History Rings in New YearMuch has been written and said about the historical significance of Barack Obama’s victory in the recent U.S. presidential election. The event deserves all those words and more, for when Obama takes the oath of office during his Jan. 20 inauguration, he will be the first black person to hold the highest office in his country. But there’s more to the day than that.Once Obama finishes reciting his oath of office and lifts his hands from the Bible, he will become part of a fascinating convergence of politics and history that encompasses both the United States and Canada. For the first time in both countries’ existence, the president of the United States, the Governor General of Canada and the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia will all be black.A decade ago, on the cusp of the 21st century, who would have thought that people of African descent would have held those offices at any time in the near future, never mind simultaneously? Even as recently as five years ago, the chances for that situation to occur would have been considered more remote than those of winning Lotto 6-49.Yet here they are: soon-to-be-president Obama, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis. The top political positions in two countries and a province that once held Africans as slaves are now occupied by black people. This historical convergence is both gratifying and amazing.The manner in which these three trailblazers reached their positions is reflective of the differences in the political systems Canada and the United States developed after they went their separate ways in 1776.Obama won the Nov. 4 election after a long, gruelling, dramatic campaign in which he secured the Democratic Party’s nomination, and then the presidency. On Jan. 20, he will become the American head of state. Because of Canada’s continuing ties with Britain, Queen Elizabeth II is our head of state, and the Governor General and lieutenant-governor are representatives of the Crown. They are appointed rather than elected.Jean was appointed Governor General by former prime minister Paul Martin in 2005. Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Francis to her vice-regal post in 2006. At that time, Obama was considered the longest of long shots for the presidency, which is arguably the most powerful elected office in the world. Now, he bears the responsibility of leading his country through increasingly troubled times.Although the Governor General’s position is ceremonial for the most part, the office is invested with the authority of the Crown. Thus, Harper was obliged to secure Jean’s permission to prorogue Parliament last month to avoid the imminent defeat of his minority government. And if the Conservatives fall after Parliament resumes later this month, the Governor General will decide whether an election should be called or the Liberal-New Democrat coalition will be given a chance to form a government, with the support of the Bloc Quebecois.A United States president possesses no such prerogative.The first black president. The first black Governor General. The first black lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia. All three at the same time. This is a moment to be savoured by people of all complexions and backgrounds.Even so, this extraordinary conjunction is not a panacea for the difficulties black people continue to face in both Canada and the United States. None of these officials is a “Magic Negro.” For all the progress there has been since slavery ended, there are still barriers to be broken and obstacles to overcome.Yet this remains a moment of pride. And as bigotry continues its long and stubborn retreat, we can continue to work toward a post-racial society with more spring in our step and hope in our heart.Can we overcome?Yes we can!
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WE NEED OUR OWN!!! WE CANNOT DEPEND ON OTHERS TO DO THAT WHICH WE CAN DO FOR SELF. WE CANNOT DEPEND ON HOLLYWOOD TO DEPICT US POSITIVELY. WE MUST CREATE OUR OWN"HOLLYWOOD"AND MAKE IT HAPPEN OURSELVES. HOLLA BACK
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