25 Black YA Authors USA Today Forgot To Tell You About

A few days ago, USA Today published an article featuring 50 Black YA authors, “from Angie Thomas to Walter Dean Myers.” This list features a bunch of amazing authors, including some of my personal favorites, like Renee Watson, Brandy Colbert, Ashley Woodfolk, Kacen Callender, and Nick Stone, as well as newer authors I can’t wait to hear more from, including Tracy Deonn and Leah Johnson. And while they are absolutely clear in the article that this list is by no means exhaustive, I did notice some names missing. And I think those authors are deserving of some love and attention, too.

So, as we near the end of Black History Month, I decided to make my own list, featuring the Black YA authors USA Today forgot. On this list, you’ll find authors who write in a variety of genres, debut authors and storied veterans. But regardless of whether they’ve written one book or ten, their stories are all worth reading! As a small disclaimer, my list is also not exhaustive, and therefore you may still notice some of YOUR favorites missing, but you can tell me about them in the comments! 

So, without further ado, here are 25 Black YA authors who USA Today forgot to tell you about.

Kayla Ancrum

K. Ancrum, as her name appears on her book covers, has 2 published books currently. The Wicker King is about the codependent relationship between two best friends as one spirals into madness. The Weight of the Stars is about the development of a friendship between two unlikely people. Both of these are wonderful; however, I’m actually most excited about her upcoming book, Darling, which is a modern day retelling of Peter Pan in thriller format. This is definitely worth a preorder!

Rena Barron

Rena Barron is the writer of two imaginative fantasy series, one middle grade and one YA. Check out Kingdom of Souls, the first book in her YA fantasy series, if you like witchdoctors, and bargaining for power, and standing up to parents. If you want an African-inspired fantasy about the struggle between the human world and the sinister Dark world, her middle grade book Maya and the Rising Dark is the one for you!

Rebecca Barrow

Rebecca Barrow is someone whose books deserve SO MUCH more attention than they’ve gotten so far. She’s written two contemporary novels, You Don’t Know Me But I Know You and This is What It Feels Like, both of which are excellent. In fact, This is What It Feels Like, about 3 girls who were once in a band but are now on the outs, who need to reunite to win a music contest, is one of my all-time favorites. Rebecca has also written Interview with the Vixen, which is not really my speed, but is perfect for horror fans or anyone who loves Riverdale.

Kalynn Bayron

Although I haven’t yet read Bayron’s debut, Cinderella is Dead, I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback and it’s definitely on my neverending TBR list. I have, however, read This Poison Heart, her upcoming novel, and let me tell you, it is the secret garden-esque, queer cottagecore fantasy of your dreams, I promise. Don’t be like me-read Cinderella is Dead now, but preorder This Poison Heart so you can get your next Kalynn Bayron fix as soon as possible.

Tonya Bolden

I think Tonya Bolden is probably more well known for her prolific collection of non-fiction books, which includes books on everything from Frederick Douglass and George Washing Carver to the Emancipation Proclamation and Black women in STEM. But she’s also written a few excellent historical fiction books, including Inventing Victoria and Saving Savannah, which are not to be missed.

Elise Bryant

Elise Bryant’s first novel, Happily Ever Afters, came out in January of this year. The book is billed as “Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” With a comparison like that, how could you pass it up? The main character, Tessa, is tasked with completing a list of romance novel-inspired tasks in order to bring back the inspiration for her own writing. This is a must read for all rom-com fans, and Elise Bryant is someone whose books are going to be an auto-buy for me from now on.

Dhonielle Clayton

You would think that between Cake Literary, the book development company she founded with Sona Charaipotra, and her extensive involvement in We Need Diverse Books, Dhonielle Clayton would be busy enough. But she’s also managed to co-write the Tiny Pretty Things duology, which was recently adapted into a Netflix series, and the amazing fantasy series The Belles. PLUS, she edited the recently published fantasy anthology A Universe of Wishes, co-wrote the upcoming book Blackout with five other amazing Black authors, and has her first middle grade book, The Marvellers, coming out next year! And that’s seriously not even everything. Honestly, if Dhonielle Clayton isn’t on your radar yet, WHY NOT?!?!

Jay Coles

Jay Coles writes unflinchingly honest contemporary stories. His first book, Tyler Johnson was Here, about a police shooting and its aftermath, is perfect for anyone looking for books similar to The Hate U Give and Dear Martin. His upcoming book, Things We Couldn’t Say, is all about the complexities of relationships, whether we’re talking about friends or romantic interests or family. I can’t wait to read it, and you should add it to your TBR list too.

Kara Lee Corthron

Kara Lee Corthron is a playwright who also writes YA novels. I read The Truth of Right Now, her contemporary novel about interracial relationships, a few years ago, and only just learned that she’s written a YA fantasy novel as well. Daughters of Jubilation is a historical fantasy about a girl figuring out her magical powers during the Jim Crow era, and it sounds amazing!

Dana L. Davis

Davis delves into the tough topics in her first two books. Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now features a girl adjusting to life with a new family after her mother’s death requires her to move in with the dad she’s never really known. The Voice in My Head is about a girl dealing with her sister’s terminal illness. Meanwhile, her most recent book, Roman and Jewel, is a Shakespeare retelling within a Shakespeare retelling! In the book, Romeo and Juliet gets the Hamilton treatment and the actors in the production have all sorts of relationship drama. This one sounds super fun, but all of her books are worth a read!

Alechia Dow

We all know publishing has a long way to go when it comes to inclusivity, and that’s even more apparent when it comes to speculative fiction. Luckily, if you want to read sci-fi about Black girl rebel librarians who have to team up with aliens to save the world, Alechia Dow has you covered with The Sound of Stars. Plus, we can look forward to even more goodness from Dow, as her next sci-fi book, The Kindred, about a royal and a commoner who flee royal assassins and end up on Earth, comes out next year. Plus, her foodie Dracula retelling, Sweet Stakes, is out in 2023!

Kristina Forest

You want YA romance by Black authors, you say? Well, Kristina Forest is the author for you! If you love road trips and ballerinas, I Wanna Be Where You Are is right up your alley. If you prefer aspiring Hollywood stars, eccentric grandmas, and New York City romances, you’ll want to pick up Now That I’ve Found You. I say get them both, though, because once you read one of Kristina Forest’s books, you’ll just want more.

Camryn Garrett

Camryn Garrett’s first novel, Full Disclosure, about an HIV positive teenage girl who’s just trying to be a normal teen girl without her huge secret getting out, came out when Garrett was just 19 years old. Her upcoming book, Off the Record, about a teen writer who stumbles into a terrible secret that could make an excellent story, but at great cost, comes out later this year. I’m sure we can look forward to many years of great Camryn Garrett stories to come.

Jordan Ifueko

When Jordan Ifueko’s fantasy novel, Raybearer, came out last year, it seemed like everyone in the book world could not stop talking about it. Though with its combination of classic ideas, like a competition to be ‘the chosen one,’ and creative new concepts, like the deep bond council members share called the Ray, it’s no wonder it was so popular! I know I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel, Redemptor, as well as Ifueko’s future books!

Kosoko Jackson

Can you imagine an organ transplant giving you the ability to time travel? It’s not something I ever would have thought of, and that’s why it’s not me on this list, but Kosoko Jackson. His debut novel Yesterday is History is about a boy who receives a liver transplant and suddenly is able to travel between the past and present. But of course, there are consequences for jumping through time, not least of which is a love triangle that needs to be figured out. While this is Jackson’s first book, I’m excited to read more from him.

Amanda Joy

Fantasy readers will quickly jump on the Amanda Joy bandwagon-her debut novel, A River of Royal Blood, is set in a royal society in which the throne is won by killing one’s siblings. Although this is a fantasy world, there are so many parallels to our own society, and that aspect of the book was as compelling to me as the magic and adventures. The book also ends with a somewhat surprising revelation that will leave readers eager for the sequel, A Queen of Gilded Horns, which is out in March.

Claire Kann

Claire Kann is a standout author because her books all feature characters we don’t see enough of in YA books. In her first book, Let’s Talk About Love, the main character, Alice, is asexual but also has a very unique voice. In If It Makes You Happy, Winnie is a fat Black girl in a queerplatonic friendship trying to figure out romantic relationships. And in her upcoming novel, The Marvelous, there are queer characters, and fat characters, and unlikeable characters. Kann’s books deserve a lot more attention, and I can’t wait to read more from her.

Patrice Lawrence

Lawrence is a British author who hasn’t gotten much attention in the United States, as far as I know. But among her many books, Indigo Donut, about unlikely couples and falling in love and belonging, and Orangeboy, about families and love and making tough choices, are absolutely worth reading, even if you need to order from Book Depository to do so. (And if those don’t appeal to you, check out her other work-like I said, she’s written a lot, and she’s great!)

Emery Lee

Is it cheating to include someone on this list who isn’t technically a published author? Well, my list, my rules, I say, and Emery Lee, author of the upcoming book Meet Cute Diary, deserves a place on it. Meet Cute Diary is a fake dating rom-com with a trans main character. I have read it, I loved it, and I want you to preorder it ASAP so we can have many, many more books from Emery Lee!

Janice Lynn Mather

This is another author who doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Her first novel, Learning To Breathe, is about family, and secrets, and teen pregnancy, and belonging. Facing the Sun, her most recent novel, is told from the perspectives of four different girls, all of whom are struggling with various issues, from sick family members to overbearing parents to inappropriate relationships. This is set against the backdrop of a development project that will take away their beloved beach. Janice Lynn Mather’s books are worth reading not just because of the compelling stories, but also because of their setting in the Bahamas, something we don’t get in a lot of YA books.

L.L. McKinney

We’ll talk about L.L. McKinney’s books in a second, but I wanted to mention first that she is a tireless advocate for Black creators in all forms of media and constantly works toward making sure Black people, especially Black girls, have the representation they deserve. If you don’t follow her on Twitter, you definitely should-I guarantee you’ll learn something! Now, on to the books. McKinney has written a fantasy series that is a modern reimagining of Alice in Wonderland with a bit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer thrown in. You’ll want to pick up the first two books in the series, A Blade So Black and A Dream So Dark, if you love kick-ass monster-fighting heroines. She’s also recently written the graphic novel Nubia: Real One, a must read for fans of the Wonder Woman universe. She has a couple of really exciting books on the horizon as well: a retelling of Jane Eyre called Escaping Mr. Rochester out next year, and the fourth book in The Mirror series, Splintered Magic, out in 2023.

Danielle Paige

If you’re a fan of retellings from different perspectives, you’ll definitely want to have Danielle Paige on your radar. Dorothy Must Die is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz, but from the perspective of a girl on the side of the Wicked Witch. Meanwhile, Stealing Snow is a retelling of The Snow Queen. Danielle Paige’s most recent book, The Ravens, co-written with Kass Morgan, isn’t a retelling, but it is about a sorority that is secretly a coven of witches. If any of these fantasies appeal to you, you’ll want to put Danielle Paige on your TBR list.

Kimberly Reid

Kimberly Reid doesn’t get a ton of attention, but her books are perfect for anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers. Her first series, the Langdon Prep series, are all about a girl solving mysteries at a fancy prep school. If that sounds appealing, pick up the first book, My Own Worst Frenemy. Meanwhile, Perfect Liars is about teen con artists and unlikely alliances, and #Prettyboy Must Die is a thriller about a teen CIA operative. Kimberly Reid’s books are definitely a worthy addition for any mystery fans.

Debbie Rigaud

Debbie Rigaud’s book Truly Madly Royally, about a girl who meets a literal prince at her prestigious summer program, was absolutely adorable! If you like books featuring royalty, like The Royal We,  Prince in Disguise, or Her Royal Highness, you’ll want to check this one out. Her upcoming book, Simone Breaks All the Rules, about a girl who rebels against her strict parents by trying to complete a senior year bucket list, looks equally charming, and I can’t wait to read it as well.

Julian Winters

When I first heard a recommendation for Running With Lions, I figured I’d pass-after all, I hate soccer. But luckily I made myself read it anyway, and thank goodness, because that book cemented Winters as one of my favorite authors. He’s since written two more novels, How to Be Remy Cameron and The Summer of Everything, and both are wonderful realistic fiction books, featuring complex characters and endearing relationships of all kinds. Julian Winters is an auto-read author for me, and I am looking forward to whatever he writes next.

So, there you have it-25 Black YA authors USA Today forgot to tell you about. Again, this list is not comprehensive-definitely check out the USA Today list for 50 more amazing Black YA authors to read, and tell me about your favorite Black YA authors in the comments!

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