Charles R. Saunders
Encyclopedia
Charles R. Saunders also credited as Charles Saunders (born July 12, 1946) is an African American
author
and journalist
currently living in Canada
. During his long career, he has written everything from novels both fiction
and non-fiction
, to screenplays and radio plays.
, a small town outside Pittsburgh. He later live in Norristown
before going to Lincoln University
, from which he graduated in 1968 with a degree in psychology
. He moved to Canada
in 1969, living in Toronto
and Hamilton, Ontario
before a 14-year stay in Ottawa
. He moved to Nova Scotia
in 1985.
in 1958, a misremembered novel
by Andre Norton
; this he states was what that got him into the genre
. (The mutated Siamese
he recalls in an interview with Amy Harlib was most likely Lura, the giant Siamese cat and companion to the hero Fors in Norton's 1952 novel Star Man's Son [later reprinted as Daybreak 2250 A.D. and Star Man's Son - 2250 A.D.].)
In 1974, Saunders wrote a series of short stories for Gene Day
's science fiction fanzine
Dark Fantasy. The issue of Dark Fantasy with the first Imaro story found its way to Lin Carter
, who included it in his first Year's Best Fantasy Stories
collection, published by DAW Books
in 1975. This publication brought Saunder's work to the attention of Daw publisher Donald A. Wollheim
, who eventually suggested that Saunders turn his Imaro stories into a novel. Six of the novella
s originally published by Gene Day in Dark Fantasy ("Mawanzo", "Turkhana Knives", "The Place of Stones", "Slaves of the Giant Kings", "Horror in the Black Hills", and "The City of Madness") would later be used in his first novel, Imaro
, which was published by Daw in 1981.
But a lawsuit by the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate
over a poorly chosen cover quote, The Epic Novel of a Black Tarzan
, caused a one month delay in shipping as the books had to be reprinted, which led to poor sales. Saunders wrote and sold two more books in the series, The Quest for Cush
(1984) and The Trail of Bohu
(1985).
Saunders lives in Nova Scotia
. He works the night shift there at a local newspaper
as a copy editor, and writes his thoughts out in longhand during the day. Nova Scotia's black community is largely descended from African Americans who went over to the British side during the American Revolutionary War
and the War of 1812
; they were given freedom and land in Nova Scotia after those wars ended, and created communities such as Africville
. Saunders has written four non-fiction books about the Nova Scotia black community, including a collection of his columns.
In 2006, small press
Night Shade Books
made a deal with Saunders to publish an updated edition of Imaro. This new edition excludes the novella
"Slaves of the Giant-Kings", which Saunders felt held too many parallels to the present day Rwandan Genocide
. In 2008 the second novel in the updated Imaro trilogy The Quest for Cush was published by Night Shade Books, and the company has decided not to publish any other Imaro novels at this time.
In 2008 Saunders released the related work Dossouye through Sword & Soul Media and the online publisher Lulu. In 2009 he released The Trail of Bohu, the third title in the now ongoing Imaro series, through the Sword & Soul Media storefront. In 2010 he released The Naama War the fourth and latest Imaro novel through Lulu.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
currently living in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. During his long career, he has written everything from novels both fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
and non-fiction
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
, to screenplays and radio plays.
Background
Saunders was born in Elizabeth, PennsylvaniaElizabeth, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the east bank of the Monongahela River, where Pennsylvania Route 51 crosses, upstream of Pittsburgh and close to the county line. The population was 1,493 at the 2010 census...
, a small town outside Pittsburgh. He later live in Norristown
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
before going to Lincoln University
Lincoln University
Lincoln University or University of Lincoln or variations may refer to:in England*University of Lincolnin New Zealand*Lincoln University, New Zealandin the United States*Lincoln University...
, from which he graduated in 1968 with a degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He moved to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1969, living in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
before a 14-year stay in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. He moved to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
in 1985.
Science fiction
According to Saunders he read his first work of science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
in 1958, a misremembered novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Andre Norton
Andre Norton
Andre Alice Norton, née Alice Mary Norton was an American science fiction and fantasy author under the noms de plume Andre Norton, Andrew North and Allen Weston...
; this he states was what that got him into the genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
. (The mutated Siamese
Siamese (cat)
The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Oriental cat. The origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed to be from Thailand. In Thailand, where they are one of several native breeds, they are called Wichian Mat...
he recalls in an interview with Amy Harlib was most likely Lura, the giant Siamese cat and companion to the hero Fors in Norton's 1952 novel Star Man's Son [later reprinted as Daybreak 2250 A.D. and Star Man's Son - 2250 A.D.].)
In 1974, Saunders wrote a series of short stories for Gene Day
Gene Day
Howard Eugene Day was a Canadian comic book artist best known for Marvel Comics' Star Wars licensed series and Master of Kung Fu...
's science fiction fanzine
Science fiction fanzine
A science fiction fanzine is an amateur or semi-professional magazine published by members of science fiction fandom, from the 1930s to the present day...
Dark Fantasy. The issue of Dark Fantasy with the first Imaro story found its way to Lin Carter
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
, who included it in his first Year's Best Fantasy Stories
The Year's Best Fantasy Stories
The Year's Best Fantasy Stories is a 1975 anthology of fantasy stories, edited by Lin Carter. It was first published in paperback by DAW Books...
collection, published by DAW Books
DAW Books
DAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
in 1975. This publication brought Saunder's work to the attention of Daw publisher Donald A. Wollheim
Donald A. Wollheim
Donald Allen Wollheim was an American science fiction ' editor, publisher, writer, and fan. As an author, he published under his own name as well as under pseudonyms, including David Grinnell....
, who eventually suggested that Saunders turn his Imaro stories into a novel. Six of the novella
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
s originally published by Gene Day in Dark Fantasy ("Mawanzo", "Turkhana Knives", "The Place of Stones", "Slaves of the Giant Kings", "Horror in the Black Hills", and "The City of Madness") would later be used in his first novel, Imaro
Imaro (novel)
Imaro is a dark fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published by Daw Books in 1981. It was probably the first foray into the sword and sorcery arena by a black author...
, which was published by Daw in 1981.
But a lawsuit by the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. is an American company founded in 1923 by author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is based in Tarzana, California. The company holds the rights to the literary works of Burroughs that are still protected by copyright .Burroughs was one of the first artists to...
over a poorly chosen cover quote, The Epic Novel of a Black Tarzan
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
, caused a one month delay in shipping as the books had to be reprinted, which led to poor sales. Saunders wrote and sold two more books in the series, The Quest for Cush
The Quest for Cush
The Quest for Cush also known as Imaro II: The Quest for Cush is a Dark Fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published by Daw Books in 1984. The Quest for Cush was the second book in the original Imaro Trilogy...
(1984) and The Trail of Bohu
The Trail of Bohu
The Trail of Bohu also known as Imaro III: The Trail of Bohu is a Dark Fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published by Daw Books in 1985...
(1985).
Saunders lives in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. He works the night shift there at a local newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
as a copy editor, and writes his thoughts out in longhand during the day. Nova Scotia's black community is largely descended from African Americans who went over to the British side during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
; they were given freedom and land in Nova Scotia after those wars ended, and created communities such as Africville
Africville, Nova Scotia
Africville was a small community located on the southern shore of Bedford Basin, in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. During the 20th century, the City of Halifax began to encroach on the southern shores of Bedford Basin, and the community was eventually included as part of the city...
. Saunders has written four non-fiction books about the Nova Scotia black community, including a collection of his columns.
In 2006, small press
Small press
Small press is a term often used to describe publishers with annual sales below a certain level. Commonly, in the United States, this is set at $50 million, after returns and discounts...
Night Shade Books
Night Shade Books
Night Shade Books is an independent publishing company based in San Francisco, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It was started in 1997 by Jason Williams, with Jeremy Lassen coming on board as a partner shortly after the company's founding...
made a deal with Saunders to publish an updated edition of Imaro. This new edition excludes the novella
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
"Slaves of the Giant-Kings", which Saunders felt held too many parallels to the present day Rwandan Genocide
Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass murder of an estimated 800,000 people in the small East African nation of Rwanda. Over the course of approximately 100 days through mid-July, over 500,000 people were killed, according to a Human Rights Watch estimate...
. In 2008 the second novel in the updated Imaro trilogy The Quest for Cush was published by Night Shade Books, and the company has decided not to publish any other Imaro novels at this time.
In 2008 Saunders released the related work Dossouye through Sword & Soul Media and the online publisher Lulu. In 2009 he released The Trail of Bohu, the third title in the now ongoing Imaro series, through the Sword & Soul Media storefront. In 2010 he released The Naama War the fourth and latest Imaro novel through Lulu.
Novels
- ImaroImaro (novel)Imaro is a dark fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published by Daw Books in 1981. It was probably the first foray into the sword and sorcery arena by a black author...
(1981) Second Edition (2006) - The Quest for CushThe Quest for CushThe Quest for Cush also known as Imaro II: The Quest for Cush is a Dark Fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published by Daw Books in 1984. The Quest for Cush was the second book in the original Imaro Trilogy...
(1984) Second Edition (2008) - The Trail of BohuThe Trail of BohuThe Trail of Bohu also known as Imaro III: The Trail of Bohu is a Dark Fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published by Daw Books in 1985...
(1985) Second Edition (2009) - DossouyeDossouyeDossouye is a Dark Fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published independently in 2008 by Sword & Soul Media via the online press Lulu.-Synopsis:...
(2008) - The Naama WarThe Naama WarThe Naama War is a Dark Fantasy novel written by Charles R. Saunders, and published independently in 2009 by Sword & Soul Media via the online press Lulu.-Synopsis:...
(2009)
Non-fiction
- Sweat and Soul: The Saga of Black Boxers from the Halifax Forum to Caesars Palace (1990)
- Spirit of Africville (1992)
- Share & Care: The Story of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children (1994)
- Black & Bluenose: The Contemporary History of a Community (2002)
Essays
- Die Black Dog! A Look at Racism in Fantasy - Toadstool Wine (1975)
- Of Chocolate-Covered Conans and Pompous Pygmies - New Fantasy Journal #1 (1976)
- Out to Launch: 1950s Nostalgia - Dark Fantasy #10 (1976)
- Imaginary Beasts of Africa - Simba #1 (1976)
- More Imaginary Beasts of Africa - Simba #2 (1976)
- Why Blacks Don't Read Science Fiction - Windhaven #5 (1977)
- The Gods of Africa - Wax Dragon #1 (1977)
- Three African Superheroes - New Fantasy Journal #2 (1977)
- Farmer of the Apes - Borealis 2 (1979)
- Where Did Those Names Come From - Drums of Nyumbani #1 (1980)
- To Kush and Beyond: The Black Kingdoms of the Hyborian Age - Savage Sword of Conan #56 (1980)
- Fantasy: An International Genre - World Fantasy Convention (1984)
- Out of Africa - Dragon #122 (1987)
- Why Blacks Should Read Science Fiction - Dark Matter #1 (2000)
Uncollected Short stories
- Bwala li Mwesu (The Moon Pool) (1976)
- The Nunda (1976)
- Death Castle of Djenne (1976)
- Ishigbi (1976)
- The Blacksmith and the Bambuti (about Pomphis) (1977)
- Khodumodumo (1977)
- The Singing Drum (1977)
- Two Rogues (1977)
- Betrayal in Belverus (Ghor, Kin Slayer chapter VI) (1977)
- Cats in the Cellar (1977)
- Luendi (1977)
- Mai-Kulala (1977)
- The Skeleton Coast (1978)
- Amma (1978)
- Mbodze (1978)
- Okosene Alakun and the Magic Guinea-Fowl (1978)
- Through the Dark Past (co-written with Gene DayGene DayHoward Eugene Day was a Canadian comic book artist best known for Marvel Comics' Star Wars licensed series and Master of Kung Fu...
) (1978) - The City of Mists (co-written with Kenneth Huff) (1978)
- Agbewe's Sword (1978)
- Kibanda ya Kufa (The Hut of Death) (1978)
- Death in Jukun (1979)
- The Return of Sundiata (1982)
- The Silent Ghosts (1982)
- Mzee (1984)
- Shimenege's Mask (1985)
- Marwe's Forest (1986)
- Death's Friend (1987)
- Drum Magic (1988)
- Ishu’s Gift (1986)
- Out-Steppin’ Fetchit (1987)
- The Last Round (1988)
- Scorpion Sand (unknown)
- Katisa (about Imaro's Mother) (unknown)
- In the Red Dawn (co-written with Gene Day) (unknown)
- Imaro and the White Queen (unpublished?)
Dark Matter Anthology
see also: Sheree ThomasSheree Thomas
Sheree Thomas also credited as Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renée Thomas is a writer, book editor and publisher whose Dark Matter collected the works of some of the best African American Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy writers. Authors such as Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R...
- Gimmile's Songs - Dark Matter #1 (2000)
- Yahimba's Choice - Dark Matter #2 (2004)
Screenplays & radioplays
- AmazonsAmazons (1986 film)Amazons is a 1986 Argentine fantasy adventure film directed by Alejandro Sessa. The screenplay was written by Charles R. Saunders, based on his short story "Agbewe’s Sword", which first appeared in the 1979 anthology Amazons!-Plot summary:...
- screenplay (1986) - The Sam Langford Story - radioplay (1987)
- Stormquest - screenplay (1988)