Description

In conversation with contributors to Peepal Tree Press’s speculative fiction anthology

Part of Leeds Lit Fest.

Celebrate the first Black British Speculative Fiction anthology with some of its contributing writers. These are original stories written especially for Glimpse. The discussion will range from their process of writing material that is not of this world and the increasing popularity of the speculative fiction genre in the African Diaspora and how it sits in the space of Black British Literature.

Pete Kalu, Melissa Jackson-Wagner, Chantal Oakes and Ronnie McGrath will join chair Kadija Sesay, Publications Manager of the Inscribe series of anthologies.

Peter Kalu’s novel, One Drop, was published by Andersen Press in August 2022. He writes speculative and historical fiction. His short stories can be found in anthologies by Peepal Tree, Comma press and Bluemoose.

Melissa Jackson-Wagner is a Guyanese-British retired aca- demic who holds a PhD in Caribbean Literature. She has always worked to centre nuanced histories of Caribbean diasporas within academia and beyond. More recently, she has also worked as a consultant on issues surrounding multiracial identities. Her poetry has been published in Wasafiri and her artwork has been exhibited both in the UK and Guyana. She is currently working on her first speculative fiction novel.

Chantal Oakes uses a collaborative arts practice to produce research and creative text for publication and moving image. Recent work includes articles in Archives: Lancashire History Magazine, Asylum Magazine, an essay for University of Massa- chusetts Press, Black History Connections (online), and a short story for Closure, Peepal Tree Press. Recent commissions include art pieces for Preston Live Arts Festival, Living City (online), Harris Art Gallery, Fish Factory, Penryn, and xviix (online).

Ronnie McGrath (aka ‘ronsurreal’) is a socially conscious Black visual artist, neo-surrealist poet, and novelist. As well as teaching creative writing at various sites throughout the country, he facilitates creative writing classes as a therapeutic tool for mental well-being and to assist the rehabilitation of people who suffer from alcohol and substance abuse. He continues the search for an ‘authentic Black’ form of writing that is unashamedly bawdy, experimental, edutaining and downright rebellious.

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