| CHESTER, VA June 2008 – With his detailed | | | | simply as a member of a special, and often |
| narrative, gripping plot, and compelling characters, | | | | misunderstood group. “When I tell people I write |
| African American author R. A. Baker is a fine | | | | sci-fi/fantasy, I sometimes get strange stares, like they |
| newcomer to the literary playing field. However, there | | | | are thinking to themselves, ‘black people don’t |
| is one thing that sets Baker apart from most black | | | | write sci-fi’,” he says. “It can be a little |
| writers: he writes science fiction. In 2008, R. A. Baker | | | | disheartening, but I know the best way to deal with |
| joined the ranks of black science fiction/fantasy | | | | attitudes like that, is to be as successful in my field as |
| writers like Charles Saunders, Steven Barnes, Octavia | | | | possible. In a way, it has made me a better writer, |
| Butler, and Nalo Hopkinson, among others. They are | | | | because I know I can never give up or stop writing. I |
| part of a small, but growing group of writers, | | | | would never want to give the naysayers that kind of |
| specializing in genres previously the exclusive domain | | | | satisfaction.” |
| of their white counterparts. It’s a trend poised to | | | | Additionally, Baker points out that diversity should be |
| add a new perspective to fantasy and science fiction | | | | sought in all areas. “If Tiger Woods had decided |
| storytelling. | | | | early in his career to abandon golf because it was |
| Baker, who wrote the sci-fi/fantasy novel, Rayna of | | | | uncommon for a black person to play that sport, we |
| Nightwind, says that he knew at an early age that he | | | | would have missed out on a phenomenal golf player, |
| wanted to write sci-fi/fantasy. “I’ve always | | | | and a great role model,” he said. “I think it’s |
| loved speculative fiction, which includes both sci-fi and | | | | time we shattered some old stereotypes about black |
| fantasy,” he says. “It allows for so much | | | | literature, and be open to explore different |
| creative freedom—it is the only kind of fiction I would | | | | avenues” |
| ever want to write.” With the commercial success | | | | To aspiring African American sci-fi/fantasy authors, |
| of the Harry Potter novels, and movies like The Lord | | | | Baker offers the following advice: “There is a world |
| of the Rings and Star Wars, there is little doubt of sci-fi | | | | of possibilities to explore, so explore it your way. When |
| and fantasy’s appeal. African American writers like | | | | I wrote Rayna of Nightwind, I stayed true to my voice |
| Baker believe there is also a demand for a fresh | | | | and my particular writing style. Don’t let |
| approach to these popular genres. “I believe African | | | | preconceived notions about your race influence how |
| Americans can bring a lot to the table and take | | | | you write, or what you write about—let your |
| speculative fiction in exciting directions it has never | | | | imagination decide.” |
| gone before,” he says. | | | | R. A. |
| Baker says he does not see himself as a pioneer, but | | | | |