Black lesbian (and bi, queer, trans, and non-binary) fiction authors you should know

There’s been some hand-wringing lately in the white lesbian literary community about racism in our midst. Stop wringing your hands. You’ll chafe, and it won’t make any difference. Take action. Maybe buy and read books written by Black (writers of the African diaspora) lesbian (and bi, queer, trans, and non-binary) authors. Here’s a list of authors who have published at least one book of fiction (novel or collection of their own short stories) to get you started.

Note: This list was crowdsourced and focuses on those writing fiction with at least one published book or dedicated short story collection. If you feel you don’t belong on this list, please comment on this article, and I’ll remove you. If you want to be added to this list, please comment on this article, and I’ll consider adding you. No assumptions should be made about any of these people beyond what is written on their respective web pages. Some of the Amazon links include affiliate information which means I may earn a few pennies if you click on them.

1. K Ancrum: Bisexual/intersex. YA author of The Weight of the Stars and The Wicker King.
2. Elizabeth Andre: That’s me! I’m the author of the Lesbian Light Reads series, a series of diverse lesbian romance stories, and the Paranormal Grievance Committee Chronicles series, a set of fun lesbian adventure books. I’ve won a Goldie from the Golden Crown Literary Society and received a couple of honorable mentions in the Queer SciFi annual flash fiction contest.
3. Dolores Arden: Author of the crime thriller Gray Matters.
4. Rachel E. Bailey: Author of the urban fantasy book Dyre: By Moon’s Light and Dyre: A Knight of Spirit and Shadows.
5. Nikki Baker: Author of the Virginia Kelly lesbian mystery series including In the Game and The Lavendar House Murder.
6. LaShonda Katrice Barnett: Writes literary historical fiction. Author of Jam on the Vine.
7. Kalynn Bayron: Writes YA LGBT fiction. Wrote Cinderella is Dead.
8. L.M. Bennett: Author of B-Sides and Other Misheard Lyrics: Short Stories and Flash Fiction.
9. S. Renée Bess: A Philadelphia bred former high school teacher, who has been writing fiction, in one form or another, for many years. Author of at least five novels including Breaking Jaie, The Butterfly Moments, and Re:Building Sasha.
10. Dionne Brand: Author of What We All Long For, At the Full and Change of the Moon and many other books. A Canadian poet, novelist, essayist and documentarian. She was admitted to the Order of Canada in 2017 and has won numerous awards.
11. Sharon Bridgforth: Author of the the Bull-Jean Stories and Love Conjure/Blues.
12. Laurinda D. Brown: Award-winning author of Fire & Brimstone, Sins of the Mother, Undercover, and the Highest Price for Passion.
13. Shonia Brown: Author of A Deeper Love.
14. Darlene Burns: Author of LGBT horror fiction including, Midnight Comes With the Dawn: The Vampyir Plague (Book Book 1) and Alex Races Against the Dawn: The Vampyir Plague Book 2.
15. Kristy Cato: Author of several short story collections and the Dance series.
16. Lauren Cherelle: Uses her time and talents to traverse imaginary and professional worlds. She manages Resolute Publishing, an independent publisher that helps transform dreams into realities for women of color writers. She’s the author of Accept the Unexpected and The Dawn of Nia.
17. C. L. Clark: Writes fantasy. Author of The Unbroken. Teaser is here.
18. Alyssa Cole: Writes inclusive historical, contemporary, and sci-fi romance. She’s bisexual, and her books are filled with a wide array of wonderful characters across the LGBTQ spectrum. She has too many books to list, but Once Ghosted, Twice Shy: A Reluctant Royals Novella looks fabulous.
19. Delores Cremm: Author of The Dead Alligator on Gunthor Road, Province: The Vanderhault Saga Book 1, and Redemption of Sacrifice: The Vanderhault Saga Book 2. Includes intersex characters because of personal experience.
20. Nicole Dennis-Benn: Author of Here Comes the Sun and PATSY. Two-time Lambda Literary Award winner. Recipient of the National Foundation for the Arts Grant. Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle John Leonard Award, the New York Public Library Young Lions Award, the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize; and long-listed for The Pen/Faulkner Award in Fiction and short-listed for the Aspen Words Literary Prize. Her novels have appeared on several must read and best of book lists.
21. Alexis de Veaux: Author of Yabo, winner of the 2015 Lambda Literary Award for lesbian fiction.
22. Mason Dixon: A pseudonym of Lambda Literary Award winning lesbian romance writer Yolanda Wallace. Mason’s books feature a cast of predominantly African American characters. Her novels include Charm City, 21 Questions, and Lambda Literary Award finalist Date with Destiny. Wears very snazzy bow ties.
23. Eboni Dunbar: Speculative fiction writer. Author of Stone and Steel.
24. K. S. Dunigan: Literary author. Author of Virginia and If I Could Die. Also writes under the pen name K. Shantel.
25. Akwaeke Emezi: Non-binary. Author of Freshwater, Pet, and The Death of Vivek Oji.
26. Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene: Author of For Sizakele.
27. Bernardine Evaristo: First black woman to win the booker prize. Lived as a lesbian in the 1980s. Author of Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel and Mr. Loverman: A Novel.
28. V.A. Fearon: Author of The Girl with the Treasure Chest and The Thirsty Stranger.
29. Ava Freeman: Romance writer. Author of numerous books including Four Letter Word and Friends and Lovers.
30. Roxane Gay: More known for her non-fiction, she has several works of fiction including Ayiti, An Untamed State, and Difficult Women.
31. Gabrielle Goldsby: Author of several romance novels including Remember Tomorrow, The Caretaker’s Daughter, and Never Wake.
32. Jewelle Gomez: Wrote the classic The Gilda Stories. Cheryl Dunye bought the rights and is working to bring this fabulous book to TV.
33. Sheree L. Greer: Author of A Return to Arms, Once and Future Lovers, and Let the Lover Be. Writing and reading and teaching makes her heart smile.
34. La Toya Hankins: Romance writer. Author of SBF Seeking…, Married to the Struggle, K-Rho: The Sweet Taste of Sisterhood, and other books.
35. Nikki Harmon: Romance writer. Author of When I Was Your Girlfriend and Neither Here Nor There.
36. Christiana Harrell: Author of lesbian fiction and erotica including Girl: A Story for Every Les Being and Intermission: Stud vs. Femme.
37. Destiny Hawkins: A multi-genre author with a dark imagination and a love for magic. Her books include Caged, The Descendants, and White Heart: The Prophecy.
38. Cheryl A. Head: Mystery author. Wrote the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series. Also wrote A Long Way Home: A World War II Novel.
39. Nalo Hopkinson: Author of many speculative fiction books and winner of many awards. Books include Brown Girl in the Ring and Midnight Robber.
40. Katrina Jackson: College professor by day who writes high heat, diverse and mostly queer erotic romances and erotica. Author of Pink Slip, Room for Three, and From Scratch.
41. Jasmine Johnson: Fantasy author. Aims to write the type of story everyone can find themselves in. Published Nyx’s Chosen and Wrath/Patience.
42. Leah Johnson: YA author. Wrote You Should See Me in a Crown.
43. Tenea D. Johnson: Award-winning speculative fiction author. Published Smoketown, Blueprints for Better Worlds, and R/evolution.
44. Allysyn Jones: Writes lesbian romantic comedy that doesn’t stop at the bedroom door including Just Life & Love 1 & 2.
45. Fabiola Joseph: Writes lesbian coming of age books including Niya and magical realism such as Port of Princes.
46. Jaz Joyner: Non-binary. Author of Juniper Leaves: The Otherworldly Tale of a Lonesome Magical Girl.
47. S. L. Kassidy: Author of historical LGBT fiction and lesbian romance including Sky Cutter (Warrior Class Book 1) and Please Baby.
48. Ana-Maurine Lara: A national award-winning poet and fiction writer. Author of Erzulie’s Skirt.
49. L. D. Lewis: SFF writer and worldbuilder. Author of A Ruin of Shadows.
50. Mercedes Lewis: poet and writer. She is retired from the military, the government, the private sector, and corporate america. The only thing she has not figured out how to retire from is volunteerism! She volunteers for the Golden Crown Literary Society, Lambda Literary, ReadOUT, food pantries, and the list goes on. She remembers when intelligence, and kindness meant so much more on so many levels.
    Mercedes writes short stories and poetry. Her body of work includes:
    Goldie Winner Our Happy Hours, Roses Read, Women in Uniform, and a complete book of poetry Glimpses of a Fractured Soul.
51. Ki Love: Science fiction author. Author of America Loss.
52. Lee Loveless: Writes lesbian erotic romance. Author of the Masked Ladies and the Meeting Her series.
53. Terias McKlay: Personal trainer by day and a writer by night. Author of The Surrender.
54. Mia McKenzie: American writer, activist, and the founder of the website Black Girl Dangerous. Author of The Summer We Got Free, which won the 2012 Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction.
55. A.M. McKnight: Crime, romance, and Black lesbian love. Author of Goslyn County, County Vices, Best Love Ever, and Cate & Luna: Love in Changing Times.
56. Penny Mickelbury: Mystery writer. Author of Love Notes, Keeping Secrets, Darkness Descending, and several other mysteries. Expanded into historical fiction with Belle City. Before turning to writing full time, Penny was a pioneering newspaper, radio and television reporter, based primarily in Washington, D.C.
57. Joi Miner: Urban and paranormal lesfic author. Wrote Queen of Hearts: A Stud in Stilettos, She Got Hops, Turnt Owt: A Zombie Snatched My Soul, and many other books.
58. Ashia Monet: Writes speculative fiction. Author of The Black Veins.
59. Alesha Nichole: Writes romance fiction. Author of Framily.
60. Nik Nicholson: Writes lesbian historical fiction. Winner of the 2013 Lambda Literary LGBT Debut Fiction Award for Descendants of Hagar.
61. Trifonia Melibea Obono: A novelist, political scientist, academic and LGBTQI+ activist. Her novel La Bastarda is the first novel by a female Equatorial Guinean writer to be translated into English.
62. Chinelo Okparanta: Writes LGBT historical/literary fiction. Author of Under the Udala Trees and Happiness, Like Water. Winner of too many awards to list.
63. Junauda Petrus: Author, filmmaker, and pleasure activist. Her debut novel, The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, was a winner of a Coretta Scott King Honor Award.
64. Nikki Rashan: Wrote urban lesbian fiction. Author of You Make Me Wanna, Double Pleasure, Double Pain, Full Figured Diva, and several other books. Died in 2015.
65. Morgan Rogers: A queer Black millennial. She writes books for queer girls who are looking for their place in the world. Author of Honey Girl.
66. Ericka K. F. Simpson: Writes lesbian romance/literary fiction. Author of In Fear of Losing You, Making Our Difference, and Jazzy Ladies Productions: Nothing is as Sweet as it Looks.
67. April Sinclair: Writes lesbian historical fiction. Author of Coffee Will Make You Black, Aint Gonna Be The Same Fool Twice, and I Left My Back Door Open.
68. Anne Shade: Romance writer. Author of Femme Tales.
69. Raven Shadowhawk: Also writes under the pen name Ileandra Young. Writes bisexual erotica (romantic, kinky, pure fun) and takes great pleasure in telling stories to delight and titillate. Author of Vicki & Lara and several other books.
70. K. Shantel: Author of Made for You 1, 2, and 3. Also writes literary fiction under the pen name K. S. Dunigan.
71. Nisi Shawl: Queer non-binary. Writes steampunk science fiction/alternative history. Author of Everfair. Winner of the Otherwise Award (formerly Tiptree) for their fantasy/sf/horror collection Filter House.
72. Stephanie Shea: Writes lesbian romance. Creates worlds where no character is too queer, broken. or sensitive. Author of Chef’s Kiss and Collide: A Flippin’ Fantastic Romance.
73. Ann Allen Shockley: Pioneering Black lesbian author who wrote a couple of unpublished books in the 1950s. Published what is considered the first Black lesbian novel in 1974, Loving Her. Also published Say Jesus and Come to Me and The Black and the White of It.
74. Makeda Silvera: Author of Her Head a Village and The Heart Does Not Bend.
75. Skyy: Urban fiction/romance fiction. Author of Choices, Full Circle, and many others.
76. Krystal Smith: 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Lesbian Fiction. Author of Two Moons: Stories, Get At Me, and several other books.
77. Zadie Smith: Writes humorous literary fiction including White Teeth, Swing Time, and several other books.
78. Rivers Solomon: “dyke, an anarchist, a she-beast, an exile, a shiv, a wreck, and a refugee of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. They write about life in the margins, where they are much at home.” Author of The Deep and An Unkindness of Ghosts.
79. Kendra Spencer: Writes lesbian romance, plays semi-professional full contact American football with the Cincinnati Sizzle, and operates Blaque Diamond Ink Press. Author of Playing Games and Playing Ball.
80. Anna Stone: Writes sizzling lesbian romance such as the Tangled Vows (Mistress book 1) and Being Hers (Irresistably Bound book 1)
81. Literary Stud: Author of romantic and sensual stories with realistic lesbian characters including Rumors Ring True and Karmic Casualties.
82. Mecca Jamilah Sullivan: “In her fiction, she explores the intellectual, emotional, and bodily lives of young Black women through voice, music, and hip-hop inflected magical realist techniques.” Author of Blue Talk & Love.
83. Monique ‘B.T’ Thomas: Writes romance and erotica including Craving Comfort, Love Relived, I Remember Christmas, and several other books.
84. JC Trez: Author of lesbian romance including Two the Hard Way and Thrice as Nice.
85. Samantha Underwood: Author of lesbian erotica including Love After Atlanta and Stars & Straps: A few short stories to make you horny.
86. Alice Walker: One of the United States’ preeminent writers. She is an award-winning author of novels, stories, essays, and poetry. In 1983, Walker became the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her novel The Color Purple, which also won the National Book Award. Has written several other books including The Temple of My Familiar and Meridian. Stated in the documentary Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth: “I need space and quiet and peace and trees and grass and water, silence, the occasional visitor. I love cuddling so it’s very nice to have a sweetheart. I love being able to send him or her home when they need to go home. … I love women. Not every single woman on the planet, but women, the woman, the feminine. And I thought that if I fell in love with someone or if I felt attracted to someone that, as a curious person, someone whose curiosity is very strong, I would, of course, relate to them, and I would be with them. So when that happened, it happened and I went off into adventures with women and loves with women and good times with women and growth with women and it was all marvelous, even the heartache. I’m not lesbian, I’m not bisexual, I’m not straight. I’m curious. If you’re really alive, how can you be in one place your whole time? For me that doesn’t work.”
87. Tanai Walker: Writes paranormal romance. Author of Sacred Fire and Rise of the Gorgon.
88. Olivia Renee Wallace: Lesbian romance writer. Author of Jazz’s Song and Mimi’s Heart.
89. Yolanda Wallace: Also writes under the name Mason Dixon. Romance writer. Author of Lucky Loser, Heart of a Killer, Tailor-Made, and many others.
90. Unique Waterfall: Writes lesbian fiction. Author of 2 Sides 2 the Rainbow.
91. Dillon Watson: Romance writer. Author of The Secret Unknown and Keile’s Chance.
92. Rebekah Weatherspoon: Romance author. Author of At Her Feet and Treasure.
93. Anondra Williams: Author of the short story collections About Love and Black Girl Love.
94. KD Williamson: Mystery romance writer. Author of Blurred Lines, Big Girl Pill, and many others. Currently raising money to cover medical expenses.
95. B. L. Wilson: Mystery romance writer. Author of the Jimson Murders series and many other books.
96. Jade Winters: Romance writer. Author of Looking for Ms. Right, No Other Love, If Only She Knew, and many others.
97. Jacqueline Woodson: Her novel, Another Brooklyn, was a National Book Award finalist and an Indie Pick in 2016. Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the Kurt Vonnegut Award, four Newbery Honors, two Coretta Scott King Awards, and the Langston Hughes Medal. Also author of Red at the Bone and many other books.
98. Ileandra Young: Writes urban and traditional fantasy including Reunion: Episode One, Silk Over Razor Blades, Walking the Razor’s Edge, and many others. Also writes under the name Raven Shadowhawk
99. Fiona Zedde: Romance writer. Author of over 30 queer romances including Femme Like Her, Insatiable Appetites, and Hungry for It.