Anthologies of African American Writing

Lez Talk: A Collection of Black Lesbian Short Fiction

"Lez Talk: A Collection of Black Lesbian Short Fiction." Ed. S. Andrea Allen and Lauren Cherelle. Clayton, NC: BLF Press / Lascassas, TN: Resolute Publishing, 2016. xiii+204 pp.

(from WorldCat):
I can't turn it off / Sheree L. Greer -- Darker the berry / K.A. Smith -- Pretty / S. Andrea Allen -- Missing / Lauren Cherelle -- Trim / La Toya Hankins -- The other side of crazy / Eternity Philops -- Erzulie's touch / Claudia Moss -- The cigar box / Sheree L. Greer -- Unfinished business / Ashley Sullivan -- Eshrei / Lauren Cherelle -- One more / La Toya Hankins -- Desk duty / Faith Mosley -- Epiphany / S. Andrea Allen -- Two moons / K.A. Smith -- Goldilocs / Jai Allis -- Who cooks for you? / Claudia Moss.

"A necessary and relevant addition to the Black LGBTQ literary canon, which oftentimes over looks Black lesbian writing, Lez Talk is a collection of short stories that embraces the fullness of Black lesbian experiences. The contributors operate under the assumption that "lesbian" is not a dirty word, and have written stories that amplify the diversity of Black lesbian lives. At once provocative, emotional, adventurous, and celebratory, Lez Talk crosses a range of fictional genres, including romance, speculative, and humor. The writers explore new subjects and aspects of their experiences, and affirm their gifts as writers and lesbian women"--Back cover (WorldCat; also on publishers' websites, BLF Press and Resolute Publishing)

(from BLF Press website):
"A riveting gathering of talented voices in black lesbian fiction."—Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal

“These stories are strong, they are thought-provoking and no two stories are remotely the same…Whilst you may not like every story—and that will be true of any anthology you read—you will be left in no doubt about the skill of each author in crafting their tale. The common thread is Black + lesbian, but the diversity of the stories here outlines the extraordinary depth of talent that is out there, and which needs to find the light of day.” – A.L. Brooks, Curve Magazine

*2017 Goldie Finalist in Anthology

*2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist in LGBT Adult Fiction

Lez Talk is a collaborative effort between BLF Press publisher S. Andrea Allen and Lauren Cherelle, manager of Resolute Publishing.

S. (Stephanie) Andrea Allen is author of A Failure to Communicate (2017), a collection of short fiction and essays. She is currently working on her first novel.

Lauren Cherelle is the author of the novels Accept the Unexpected (2011) and The Dawn of Nia (2016), and the short story "A Secret Validation" (2013).

Publication Date: April 5, 2016

● Brooks, A. L. "Diversity and Depth in Black + Lesbian Writing." "Curve Magazine" 2 May 2016

The anthology presents 16 stories by 10 authors, giving us writing that, in the words of the editors' introduction, "celebrates Black lesbian identities." "These stories are strong, they are thought-provoking and no two stories are remotely the same. There are erotic stories, romantic stories, whimsical stories and stories that are just plain hard to take for the power of the emotions they stir within. In these tales we are shown everyday lives, in the present and past, as well as extraordinary lives in places that defy a time or place. . . . Whilst you may not like every story—and that will be true of any anthology you read—you will be left in no doubt about the skill of each author in crafting their tale. The common thread is Black + lesbian, but the diversity of the stories here outlines the extraordinary depth of talent that is out there, and which needs to find the light of day. As the editors say in their introduction, in the modern publishing world, this should be easier than it apparently is. They throw up some interesting questions about how invisible Black + lesbian writing seems to be, which makes anthologies like this even more important for showing just what is possible, both to the writers and to publishers."

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