“Within this revelatory 22-piece anthology of prose and poetry across the horror, fantasy, and science fiction genres, editors Allen and Cherelle have gathered works by some of the best and boldest voices in African-American speculative writing... There’s something for everyone in this outstanding anthology.” Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review)

“As Black spec fic continues to expand, esp in the short story arena, I’m excited that BLF press is out there bringing these tales to the world.”

— Black Nerd Problems

“This collection is the embodiment of creating your own table. Not only are the characters within these stories black women, but each plot and theme speaks to the experience of black women, showcasing cultural similarities without being a monolith. ”

— Geekly INC

“In Solace, Allen and Cherelle collect an exciting group of LGBTQ women of color writers to explore the power of literature and identity. These words could not be more timely or more important. Read Solace to find comfort, build strength and formulate resolve for the work ahead.” – Julie R. Enszer, author of Avowed

*2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist in LGBT Non-Fiction

"In this thought-provoking kaleidoscope of stories, Allen is witty, angry (which I personally appreciate), wounded, and willing to share from these different angles how the commonality of what’s not said can and does intersect with the lives of women in media, community, and relationships." Lambda Literary Review

"A riveting gathering of talented voices in black lesbian fiction."—Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal

“These stories are strong, they are thought-provoking and no two stories are remotely the same…Whilst you may not like every story—and that will be true of any anthology you read—you will be left in no doubt about the skill of each author in crafting their tale. The common thread is Black + lesbian, but the diversity of the stories here outlines the extraordinary depth of talent that is out there, and which needs to find the light of day.” – A.L. Brooks, Curve Magazine

*2017 Goldie Finalist in Anthology

*2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist in LGBT Adult Fiction

“Stephanie Andrea Allen’s story collection embraces the acerbic complexity of Joanna Russ, the practical science of James Tiptree Jr., the moral center of Rod Serling along with the finger-popping, sister sense of your local black beauty shop. Not a combo you want to pass up.”—Jewelle Gomez, author of The Gilda Stories.

In this daring collection of speculative fiction, Stephanie Andrea Allen attends to the lives of Black women, mostly lesbian or queer, all keenly aware of the forces seeking to consume them.

A Black lesbian working the gig economy runs into a trio of motorized scooters and helps them escape from Earth. An enchanted sleep mask gives a woman the gift of slumber, but what will it cost her? A suburban housewife is framed for murder by her homophobic neighbor. And in the follow up to “Luna 6000,” a young woman investigates her mother’s untimely death, and learns the truth about her family.

How to Dispatch a Human: Stories and Suggestions is an unapologetic, often humorous, foray into the quotidian magic that envelops Black women’s lives. The eleven stories in this collection are filled with characters who will entice and delight readers as they traverse the worlds around them. With a mix of fabulism, near future, and speculative fictions, Allen reminds us in exquisitely nuanced prose that the fantastical can be found amongst the ordinary.