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Praised by literary journals, news outlets, and leading fiction magazines, Nisi Shawl is celebrated as an author whose works are lyrical and philosophical, speculative and far-ranging; “…broad in ambition and deep in accomplishment” (The Seattle Times). Besides nearly three decades of creating fantasy and science fiction, fairy tales, and indigenous stories, Nisi has also been lauded as editor, journalist, reviewer, teacher, speaker, afrofuturist, and proponent and mentor of feminism, African-American fiction, and other pedagogical issues of diversity.
Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the third in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the vibrant voice of Nisi Shawl, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.
Included within these pages are:
• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book
• Author interview
• Complete bibliography
• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)
• … and more!
Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Nisi Shawl.
Table of Contents includes:
• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard
• Nisi Shawl: A Biography
• The Beads of Ku (fiction)
• The Beads of Ku: A Commentary
• Otherwise (fiction)
• Otherwise: A Commentary
• Just Between Us (fiction)
• Just Between Us: A Commentary
• At the Huts of Ajala (fiction)
• At the Huts of Ajala: A Commentary
• Street Worm (fiction)
• Street Worm: A Commentary
• Conversion Therapy (fiction)
• Conversion Therapy: A Commentary
• Why Nisi Shawl Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD
• In Conversation with Nisi Shawl
• Written On The Water: An Essay by Nisi Shawl
• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Nisi Shawl
Eric J. Guignard
ERIC J. GUIGNARD is a writer, editor, and anthologist of dark and speculative fiction, operating from the shadowy outskirts of Los Angeles, where he also runs the small press, Dark Moon Books. He's twice won the Bram Stoker Award, won the Shirley Jackson Award, and been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award and International Thriller Writers Award. He has over 150 stories appearing in publications around the world. As editor, Eric's published multiple fiction anthologies, including PROFESSOR CHARLATAN BARDOT'S TRAVEL ANTHOLOGY TO THE MOST (FICTIONAL) HAUNTED BUILDINGS IN THE WEIRD, WILD WORLD and A WORLD OF HORROR, each a showcase of international horror short fiction. His latest books are LAST CASE AT A BAGGAGE AUCTION; DOORWAYS TO THE DEADEYE; and short story collections THAT WHICH GROWS WILD and A GRAVESIDE GALLERY (both through Cemetery Dance). Outside the glamorous and jet-setting world of indie fiction, Eric's a technical writer and college professor, and he stumbles home each day to a wife, children, dogs, and a terrarium filled with mischievous beetles. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com; Bluesky or X (Twitter): @ericjguignard; or elsewhere via linktr.ee/eric_j._guignard.
More by Eric J. Guignard
Nisi Shawl
Nisi Shawl is a multiple-award-winning writer and editor. Their novel Everfair was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel, and the short story collection Filter House won the James Tiptree Jr. Award. They cofounded the Carl Brandon Society to help give people of color greater visibility in the science fiction and fantasy worlds, and their "Writing the Other" workshops and accompanying book (cocreated with Cynthia Ward and K. Tempest Bradford) have taught thousands of writers new ways of thinking about diversity and representation within fiction.
Nisi received the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Speculation is their first novel for young readers. Born near Kalamazoo, Michigan, Nisi now lives near Seattle. Find them online at nisishawl.com and on Twitter at @nisishawl.
More by Nisi Shawl
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