Norris Black

Norris Black is a Haudenosaunee/mixed-blood author from Canada, originally from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and now residing in Belleville, Ontario. He writes across genres, particularly fantasy, short stories, and speculative fiction, and is known for blending Indigenous identity, folklore, and elements of darkness and introspection in his narratives.

Black’s childhood in Tyendinaga, close to nature and steeped in cultural heritage, deeply informs his work. He has spoken about spending long hours in the woods, imagining monsters, and developing a strong sense of place in the natural world. Before gaining recognition as an author, he also worked as a photojournalist. His varied background includes an interest in technology and a curiosity about “speaking with machines,” influences that sometimes surface in his speculative and fantasy writing.

His debut novel, The Last God (2021), introduced readers to his distinctive voice and imaginative storytelling. He is also a contributor to the acclaimed anthology Never Whistle at Night, a collection of Indigenous dark fiction that has garnered wide attention. In addition, his fiction has appeared in various anthologies and magazines, building his reputation as a rising figure in speculative literature. His writing is often described as dark, reflective, and suspenseful, with themes that bridge cultural identity, survival, and myth.

When not writing, Black enjoys walking through dark or eerie woods, immersing himself in the environments that inspire his stories. His work is part of a growing movement of Indigenous speculative writers who are reshaping the genre by bringing cultural nuance, lived experience, and traditional knowledge into contemporary fiction.

Through his stories, Norris Black offers readers both unsettling and profound explorations of humanity, culture, and the unseen worlds that linger at the edges of imagination.