Sheree R. Thomas

Sheree R. Thomas is a science fiction author, editor and publisher known for her groundbreaking Dark Matter anthology series, which showcases speculative fiction by African American writers. She has received multiple honors including the 2020 World Fantasy Award for her contributions to the science fiction and fantasy field. Thomas's editorial work brought visibility to previously overlooked Black speculative fiction writers through Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (2000) and Dark Matter: Reading the Bones (2004). These collections featured both established and emerging voices, helping to reshape conversations about diversity and representation in the genre. Her own fiction includes Nine Bar Blues: Stories from an Ancient Future and short works that blend African American folklore, history and futuristic elements. Thomas has also served as an editor for prestigious magazines including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Beyond her creative work, Thomas has been a strong advocate for expanding opportunities for writers of color in speculative fiction. She is the founder of the publishing company Different Tales and has taught creative writing at various institutions while continuing to mentor emerging writers.

Readers value Thomas's editorial vision in the Dark Matter anthologies, highlighting how she surfaces overlooked Black speculative fiction writers. Many reviews note the anthologies introduce them to authors they hadn't encountered before. From reader reviews: Liked: - Diverse range of styles and perspectives in anthology selections - Balance of established and new voices - Historical context provided in anthology introductions - Integration of folklore with futuristic elements in Nine Bar Blues Disliked: - Some readers found the anthology introductions too academic - Uneven quality between stories in collections - Limited availability of some out-of-print works Ratings: Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction - Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ reviews) Nine Bar Blues - Goodreads: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.2/5 (30+ reviews) Several reviewers specifically praise the "historical excavation" quality of Dark Matter, as one Amazon reviewer noted, "bringing forgotten sci-fi gems back into the light."

Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (2000) An anthology collecting science fiction and fantasy stories by African American writers from across the 20th century.

Dark Matter: Reading the Bones (2004) A second volume of speculative fiction anthology showcasing works by writers from the African diaspora.

Nine Bar Blues: Stories from an Ancient Future (2020) A collection of short stories blending Southern folklore, African American history, and speculative elements.

Octavia Butler writes science fiction that explores power dynamics, race, and social hierarchies through speculative elements. Her Patternist and Xenogenesis series examine similar themes of transformation and diaspora that appear in Thomas's work.

Nalo Hopkinson blends Caribbean folklore with futuristic science fiction elements in her novels and short stories. Her work Brown Girl in the Ring shares Thomas's interest in exploring African diaspora traditions through a speculative lens.

Samuel R. Delany creates complex science fiction narratives that challenge conventional genre boundaries and social constructs. His experimental approaches to storytelling and examination of identity connect to Thomas's work in expanding the boundaries of speculative fiction.

N.K. Jemisin writes fantasy and science fiction that incorporates themes of structural power and cultural identity. Her Broken Earth trilogy demonstrates the same commitment to centering marginalized voices that Thomas champions in her editorial work.

Andrea Hairston combines African spirituality with speculative elements in her novels and short fiction. Her work Master of Poisons explores similar folklore and futuristic elements that appear in Thomas's Nine Bar Blues.