Announcing the 2021 World Fantasy Awards Finalists
The finalists for the 2021 World Fantasy Awards have been announced. All nominees had to have been published in 2020. Nominees were chosen from two sources: votes from current and previous members of the convention and this year’s panel of judges—Tobias Buckell, Siobhan Carroll, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Brian Evenson, and Patrick Swenson. The finalists for best novel are: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson, The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk. You can see the full list of nominees at the World Fantasy website. Winners will be announced at the 2021 World Fantasy Convention, which takes place November 4 – 7.
Black Panther Sequel Casts Michaela Coel
Michaela Coel has joined the cast of the Black Panther sequel. No details have been announced about Coel’s character, but insiders say Coel joined director Ryan Coogler at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios, where production on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever began last month. Coel is best-known for her critically-acclaimed HBO series I May Destroy You, for which she’s received four Emmy nominations. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set for wide release on July 8, 2022.
Woke Baby Book Fair Coming to the Lincoln Center at the End of July
On the last Saturday of this month, Poet-in-Residence Mahogany L. Browne presents the Woke Baby Book Fair at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. The Woke Baby Book Fair is described as “a family-friendly celebration of justice-oriented children’s books curated by Mahogany L. Browne.” The day’s events include readings and signings by guest poets and authors, games and crafts, baby movement classes led by Paris Alexandrea of BK Yoga Club, live kids’ music, and a fresh produce giveaway sponsored by Seeds in the Middle. Everything kicks off on Saturday, July 31 at 1pm. Admission is free and open to the public.
8 Books About Japanese Culture to Read Before the Tokyo Olympics
Getting excited about the Tokyo Olympics? Before they get started, check out these fiction and nonfiction books about Japanese culture, recommended by a Japanese American who lived in Tokyo for 15+ years.