Nikki Clarke on Centering Black Women in Sci-Fi, Monster Romance, and Urban Romantasy

Why should speculative fiction and monster romance rely on tired, reductive stereotypes when whole universes exist to be imagined? Today, for a special Birthday Bash release, I sit down with speculative romance author Nikki Clarke to discuss world-building, language, and centering Black leads across sci-fi, paranormal, and fantasy romance. We break down the importance of writing Black-coded aliens who reflect full, nuanced lived experiences rather than lazy historical trauma tropes. Nikki shares how her background in anthropological linguistics shapes the communication barriers and cultural world-building in her Lyca series. We also address the recent resurgence of purity culture in romance spaces, why unapologetic open-door scenes centered on female pleasure matter, and what readers can expect from her dark urban romantasy release, A Fairy Blue Moon. Guest Bio Nikki Clarke is an author of speculative romance spanning sci-fi, paranormal romance, and urban romantasy. With roots in poetry and a background in anthropological linguistics, she crafts expansive alien and fantasy worlds featuring unapologetic spice, complex cultural dynamics, and deeply centered Black leads. She is the author of the Lyca series, the Threshers series, and the upcoming dark urban romantasy duology A Fairy Blue Moon. In this episode, we discuss: Nikki’s path from poetry to speculative romance and how language flexibility fuels her world-building. Subverting colonial tropes in monster romance: writing Black-coded aliens with depth, culture, and full lived humanity. Why Black women deserve softness, joy, and unrestrained passion in speculative fiction instead of endless struggle stories. How an anthropological linguistics background informs alien dialogue, literal communication, and points of genuine culture shock. Developing characters from culture first rather than reverse-engineering artificial opposites. Pushing back against rising purity culture, closed-door trends, and the normalization of female pleasure on the page. Reclaiming the term urban: setting fantasy in contemporary South Side Chicago with elves in fitted caps. A preview of A Fairy Blue Moon: dark romantasy, Why Choose dynamics, and expansive storytelling. CONNECT WITH NIKKI: Website: nikkiclarckeromance.com  Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, Threads): @nikkiclarkeromance Patreon: Nikki Clarke Romance BOOKS & AUTHORS MENTIONED: The Lyca Series by Nikki Clarke The Threshers Series by Nikki Clarke A Fairy Blue Moon by Nikki Clarke The Dreamer and the Space Warrior by T.K. Tucker Join the We Read Smut Lounge. Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes.  Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned (Doc) This podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.