DARK MATTER ... Astonishing, compelling, erotic, and profound ....

In LOCUS (June 2000) "Reviews by Faren Miller" says of my story:
"..... Music runs deep through much of the fiction here, whether the slant
is SF, fantasy, or horror. An original by Akua Lezli Hope, "The
Becoming", stars with a bit of old blues but works it into some fancy
technology in a future New York where street slang and sexuality are
just part of a well-educated young woman's life as she stands on the
brink of a life-changing decision which abruptly turns surreal,
Kafkaesque, when she makes that choice of what she will Become. "

And concludes
".... There's much more to this remarkable gathering of fiction, but I
can't cover it all, only mention its broad spectrum, ranging from the
satiric surrealism of Ishmael Reed's "Future Christmas" to the footnoted
social SF of Derrick Bell's novella "The Space Traders", and the blend
of SF, myth and childhood games in Ama Patterson's devastating "Hussy
Strutt". The essays that follow have a similar range and power, as
Delany, Butler, and others discuss race, racism, genre (what blacks can
bring to SF/F, and what those forms can give in return), and the
universal need for both the alien and something we can call home.
Finally, anyone who wants to know more about all those great "unknown"
writers can check out the Contributors section for some useful data.
In all, Dark Matter will open up new worlds to many readers, as it
reveals an explosion of modern talent with deep roots in the past, and
offers many new takes on what used to be familiar territory--like
hearing a Rogers & Hammerstein tune translated into the quirky,
intellectual jazz of Thelonius Monk."* (LOCUS June 2000, pp23-24)*

Speculative fiction, fantasy, and science fiction are assumed to
be the genres of alternative thought; however, too
often these realms of imagination reflect only the Occidental
vision and culture. Now an important new anthology, the first of its kind, explodes such preconceptions with more than a century of fantastic fiction by preeminent and emerging authors of the African diaspora, including recipients of literature's most prestigious awards.

"This is the anthology of imaginative, groundbreaking fiction
I've waited a lifetime to own. Rich in must-read selections...DARK MATTER is a one-of-a-kind book that no library of speculative fiction or black American literature can be complete without."

--Charles Johnson, National Award-winning author of MIDDLE PASSAGE

"Smashing the knuckleheaded theory that blacks only read the
latest Terry McMillan clones clogging the racks, the fantasy and
science-fiction anthology, DARK MATTER, boldly goes where none
has gone before. With a compelling line-up of old school Negroes (George S. Schuyler, W.E.B. Du Bois), new-wave brothers (Samuel R. Delany, Ishmael Reed), and stratospheric soul sisters (Butler, Nalo Hopkinson, Linda Addison), Dark Matter serves as the perfect collective manifesto for the Black Futurist imagination...Editor Sheree R. Thomas has delivered a fascinating collection that will provoke debate and delight well into this millennium."

-- VIBE (August 2000)

"If speculative fiction is a new genre to you, then DARK MATTER
is the introduction you need. Sheree Thomas has assembled an
impressive cast of spellbinding
authors."

--Herb Boyd, editor of AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PEOPLE and BROTHERMAN

"...brilliantly diverse...unbearably poignant"

-- starred Publishers Weekly review

"Not only very entertaining, but historically significant--a
great contribution to the grand and diverse history of science
fiction."

-- Greg Bear, winner of the Nebula and Hugo awards and author of
DARWIN'S RADIO

"Read. Enjoy. Ponder."

--starred Kirkus Review

DARK MATTER ed. by Sheree R. Thomas 0-446-52583-9 $24.95
ON SALE July 18 in bookstores everywhere!
http://www.TWBookmark.com/books/19/0446525839/index.html