The aim of this panel is to discuss the contributions of people of African descent to the discourse on speculative literature from the African diaspora by contemporary writers. In Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora editor Sheree R. Thomas states that her purpose for the series “. . . [is] to offer readers an enjoyable entrée to the diverse range of speculative fiction from the African diaspora and to encourage more talented writers and scholars to explore the genre” (xii). Sheree also uses the term “unobserved literary tradition” to acknowledge the unrecognized contributions people of African descent make to speculative fiction.
Works from writers who deconstruct racial stereotypes like Samuel Delany, Steven Barnes, Octavia Butler, Tananarive Due, and Nalo Hopkinson are welcome. Also, paper proposals that show the marginalization of people of African descent from other connected genres such as science fiction and fantasy are possibilities; along with theoretical approaches to enhance our understanding of speculative literature from the African diaspora is also welcome. Submit a 250-500 word proposal by September 30, 2011 for consideration to Dierdre Powell, dmpowell2@aacc.edu
Contact Information:
For inquiries: dmpowell2@aacc.edu
For submissions: dmpowell2@aacc.edu
Website: http://www.nemla.org/convention/2012/
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