Photo: Houari B. on Flickr

On THE MARY SUE, Teresa Jusino compiled this intriguing list of 10 Sci-Fi Stories Created by Women of Color.

This list was difficult to put together. It shouldn’t have been, but it was.

I was specifically looking for ten 1) female writer/creators 2) of color who specifically 3) write about sci-fi/dystopia. Women and stories that fit that criteria are out there, but they’re hard to find. In part, because patriarchy and racism; but also because there are seemingly more female authors of color on the fantasy side of speculative fiction, as many of their cultures tell stories using magical realism and supernatural elements that don’t quite fit in the sci-fi sphere.

HOWEVER, I did compile an awesome list for sci-fi fans who want to explore sci-fi stories – worlds set in the future and filled with space exploration, aliens and/or super-cool (if slightly ominous) tech – created by women of color. Some of the names you might already know, some of them you might not, but they are all worth looking into if you want to broaden your sci-fi horizons!

OCTAVIA BUTLER

Recommended work: Parable of the Sower (novel)

Sci-fi is wonderful because it can explore current issues in a way that forces us to acknowledge the potential consequences of our current actions. This novel features a black, female protagonist dealing with the aftermath of environmental destruction and economic crisis, and turning toward faith and culture as she does.

SABRINA VOURVOULIAS

Recommended work: Ink (novel)

Again, this is a great example of the use of sci-fi to bring up current issues. In this case, the issue is immigration, both in policy, and how immigrants are viewed. This story is told from the point of view of four characters: a journalist; an ink who works in a local population control office; an artist strongly tied to a specific piece of land; and a teenager whose mother runs an inkatorium (a sanitarium-internment center opened in response to public health concerns about inks).

Discover the rest of Jusino’s selections at THE MARY SUE.