FIYAH Literary Magazine Black Speculative Fiction
สรุปใจความสำคัญ
- FIYAH was inspired by the 1920s experimental periodical FIRE! created by Wallace Thurman.
- The magazine won the Hugo Award for Best Semi-Prozine in 2021.
- It launched the Presence of Blackness Score Project in 2017 to track diversity in SFF markets.
FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, commonly known as FIYAH, is a premier American quarterly electronic publication dedicated to the exploration and elevation of Black speculative fiction. Established in 2016 and launching its first edition in 2017, the magazine serves as a critical publishing space for Black science fiction and fantasy (SFF) writers who have historically been marginalized within the mainstream SFF market.
Origins and Mission
The creation of FIYAH was inspired by FIRE!, an experimental African-American periodical from the 1920s created by Wallace Thurman. Developed by a collective of writers including Troy L. Wiggins, L.D. Lewis, and Justina Ireland (the magazine's first editor), FIYAH seeks work from both native and diasporic Africans. Its mission is to publish narratives that reject regressive stereotypes, respectability politics, and narrow ideas of Blackness.
Publication and Growth
FIYAH operates on a quarterly schedule, publishing prose stories, poetry, and essays. Many of its issues are themed to explore specific cultural or social intersections, such as "Hair," "Chains," "Food and Cuisine," and "Palestinian Solidarity."
The magazine has evolved its compensation model to support creators, moving from flat rates to a professional rate of $.08 per word in 2020, as recognized by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. While the magazine saw a massive surge in readership between 2019 and 2021, it experienced a decline in 2022, mirroring a broader recession within the speculative fiction genre.
Industry Impact and Projects
Beyond its quarterly issues, FIYAH has launched several initiatives to foster diversity in the SFF community:
- Presence of Blackness Score Project: Launched in 2017 to track the accessibility and publication rates of Black authors in short SFF markets.
- FIYAHCON: A virtual convention established in 2020 to celebrate the contributions of BIPOC creators in speculative fiction.
- Ignyte Awards: Created to honor efforts toward inclusion and diversity within the genre.
- Collaborations: FIYAH has partnered with Tor.com for the Breathe FIYAH flash fiction anthology and a themed SFF contest in collaboration with the LeVar Burton Reads podcast.
Critical Reception and Awards
FIYAH is highly regarded for its literary quality. A significant percentage of its published stories consistently appear on Locus Magazine's recommended reading lists. The magazine's accolades include:
- Hugo Award: Won the Hugo Award for Best Semi-Prozine in 2021 and has received seven nominations for the category as of 2025.
- World Fantasy Special Award: Awarded to Ireland and Wiggins in 2018 (Non-professional category).
- Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award: Awarded to Troy L. Wiggins in 2021 by the SWFA.
คำถามที่พบบ่อย
What is the primary focus of FIYAH Literary Magazine?
FIYAH is a quarterly electronic magazine dedicated to Black speculative fiction, providing a space for Black science fiction and fantasy (SFF) writers from native and diasporic African backgrounds.
What are the Ignyte Awards?
The Ignyte Awards were created by FIYAH to celebrate and honor efforts toward inclusion and diversity within the field of speculative fiction.
How does FIYAH compensate its authors?
As of 2020, FIYAH pays a professional rate of $.08 per word, a standard recognized by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.