The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature in which I highlight books I got over the last week that sound like they may be interesting—old or new, bought or received in the mail for review consideration. Since I hope you will find new books you’re interested in reading in these posts, I try to be as informative as possible. If I can find them, links to excerpts, author’s websites, and places where you can find more information on the […]

Thank you so much to all of this year’s guests for all the wonderful essays and making this another amazing Women in SF&F Month! And thank you to everyone who shared posts and helped spread the word about this year’s series. It is very much appreciated! Although this year’s series has come to an end, I wanted to make sure there was a convenient way to find all of this year’s pieces for anyone who missed them during April. This […]

Today’s guest is fantasy and science fiction writer Moniquill Blackgoose! Her fantasy novel To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, the first book in a new series that will be released on May 9, is described as following “a young Indigenous woman [who] enters a colonizer-run dragon academy—and quickly finds herself at odds with the ‘approved’ way of doing things.” I’m excited she’s here today to discuss media representation, writing, and creativity! Let me tell you a story about media representation and […]

Today’s guest is science fiction author Kemi Ashing-Giwa! Her novel coming out July 11, The Splinter in the Sky, is described as “a diverse, exciting debut space opera about a young tea expert who is taken as a political prisoner and recruited to spy on government officials—a role that may empower her to win back her nation’s independence.” I’m excited she’s here today to tell us more about it and the role of family! The Splinter in the Sky is […]

Today’s guest is N. E. Davenport, aka Nia Davenport! She’s the author of The Blood Gift Duology, which starts with The Blood Trials. The first book in this science fantasy series is described as a “fast-paced, action-packed debut [that] kicks off a duology of loyalty and rebellion, in which a young Black woman must survive deadly trials in a racist and misogynistic society to become an elite warrior.” The concluding volume, The Blood Gift, was just released last week. I’m delighted […]