Book Review: Black Arts: Stories by Megan Giddings

Black Arts is Megan Giddings’ first short story collection, published by Amistad in September 2026. The stories blend horror with speculative elements, operating at the edge of reality rather than overt supernatural gore. Several stories feature ghosts as ordinary citizens, including “Double Exposure,” which explores young artists befriending phantom neighbors with tragic consequences. Other stories address longing, regret, and missed opportunities through various angles. “Last Meals” presents the world’s end through vignettes of final shared meals, balancing grief, love, joy, and sorrow while examining relationship maintenance amid existential dread. The collection incorporates gender diverse and queer characters alongside Black American culture in a balanced, non-didactic manner. Stories like “Brittle” and “Are the Straights Okay?” employ this approach in speculative contexts. The collection concludes with “How to Be a Black Writer,” a speculative memoir essay. Giddings demonstrates precise literary balance and craftsmanship throughout, with each sentence and detail building meaning.

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