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“The Best Black Short Stories
The literary canon would not be the same without the massive contributions of Black authors, from the legendary likes of James Baldwin and Chinua Achebe to modern giants like Zadie Smith and Marlon James. These authors have not only shaped literary history, but also countless lives: providing representation to young Black readers, cementing the Black experience in print, and opening readers’ eyes to new perspectives.
And in the wake of social movements like Black Lives Matter and We Need Diverse Books, many lesser-known Black authors are also getting the recognition they deserve. From stunning works like Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater to Kiley Reid’s deftly observed Such A Fun Age, their stories both reflect the Black experience and muse on subjects of all stripes — and needless to say, the newly brightened spotlight upon them is of immense benefit to us all.
Experience the best new short stories by Black authors
This page houses Reedsy short stories that have been written by Black authors or relate to the Black experience. You’ll find past contest winners and judges’ shortlisted picks at the top, but feel free to scroll down for many more profound, thoughtful, and diverse stories in this category.
If a story preview intrigues you, click on it to read more, and leave a like or a comment if you enjoy it! Don’t forget to also follow your favorite authors, so you can be the first to know when they write anything new. And if you run out of stories to read, consider submitting to the contest yourself! Winners will be featured at the top of a page like this, and receive a $250 cash prize — plus the chance to be published in Prompted, our new literary magazine.
