Dominion
Page 1
DOMINION
AN ANTHOLOGY OF SPECULATIVE FICTION FROM AFRICA AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORA
VOLUME ONE
Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora (Volume One)
Collection ©2020 Zelda Knight (Limited)
All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America. The authors and poets in this anthology retain their individual copyrights. No part of this anthology may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written consent, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles, reviews, and so on. This is a work of fiction. Any semblance to persons, names, characters, organizations, places, events or incidents is the product of imagination. Any resemblance to the aforementioned is otherwise purely subliminal from our shared ancestors.
www.aurelialeo.com
Previous Publications:
A Maji Maji Chronicle © Eugen Bacon [Backstory Magazine Volume 1, Issue 1 (Swinburne University of Technology, 2016)]
The Unclean © Nuzo Onoh [Unhallowed Graves (Canaan-Star Publishing, 2015)]
Sleep Papa, Sleep © Suyi Davies Okungbowa [(Lights Out: Resurrection (The Naked Convos, 2016)]
ISBN-13: 978-1-946024-88-6 (ebook)
ISBN-13: 978-1-946024-79-4 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-946024-89-3 (hardcover)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020931970
Line Editing by Joshua Omenga
Editing by Zelda Knight & Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald
Book Design by Samuel Marzioli (www.marzioli.blogspot.com)
Cover Illustration © Henrique DLD (www.artstation.com/henriquedld)
Book Cover Design © Maria Spada (www.mariaspada.com)
Printed in the United States of America
First Edition: August 2020
10987654321
CONTENTS
Dedication
Special Thanks
Foreword © Tananarive Due
Trickin’, written by Nicole Givens Kurtz
Red_Bati, written by Dilman Dila
A Maji Maji Chronicle, written by Eugen Bacon
The Unclean, written by Nuzo Onoh
A Mastery of German, written by Marian Denise Moore
Convergence in Chorus Architecture, written by Dare Segun Falowo
Emily, written by Marian Denise Moore
To Say Nothing of Lost Figurines, written by Rafeeat Aliyu
Sleep Papa, Sleep, written by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Clanfall: Death of Kings, written by Odida Nyabundi
The Satellite Charmer, written by Mame Bougouma Diene
Thresher of Men, written by Michael Boatman
Ife-Iyoku, the Tale of Imadeyunuagbon, written by Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald
About the Editors
About the Contributors
SHORT SYNOPSES
“Trickin’” © Nicole Givens Kurtz: An old god rises up each fall to test his subjects.
“Red_Bati” © Dilman Dila: Once an old woman’s pet, a robot sent to mine an asteroid faces an existential crisis.
“A Maji Maji Chronicle” © Eugen Bacon: A magician and his son time-travel to Ngoni country and try to change the course of history.
“The Unclean” © Nuzo Onoh: A dead child returns to haunt his grieving mother with terrifying consequences.
“A Mastery of German” © Marian Denise Moore: Candace, an ambitious middle manager, is handed a project that will force her to confront the ethical ramifications of her company’s latest project—the monetization of human memory.
“Convergence in Chorus Architecture” © Dare Segun Falowo: Osupa, a newborn village in pre-colonial Yorubaland populated by refugees of war, is recovering after a great storm when a young man and woman are struck by lightning, causing three priests to divine the coming intrusion of a titanic object from beyond the sky.
“To Say Nothing of Lost Figurines” © Rafeeat Aliyu: A magician teams up with a disgruntled civil servant to find his missing wand.
“Sleep Papa, Sleep” © Suyi Davies Okungbowa: A taboo error in a black market trade brings a man face-to-face with his deceased father—literally.
“Clanfall: Death of Kings” © Odida Nyabundi: The death of a King sets off a chain of events that ensnare a trickster, an insane killing machine, and a princess, threatening to upend their post-apocalyptic world.
“The Satellite Charmer” © Mame Bougouma Diene: Africa is caught in the tug-of-war between two warring Chinas, and for Ibrahima torn between the lashings of his soul and the pain of the world around him, what will emerge?
“Thresher of Men” © Michael Boatman: When the Goddess of Vengeance locates the souls of her stolen believers, she comes to a midwestern town with a terrible past, seeking the darkest reparations.
“Ife-Iyoku, the Tale of Imadeyunuagbon” © Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald: In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by nuclear war, survivors gather in Ife-Iyoku, the spiritual capital of ancient Oyo Empire, where they are altered in fantastic ways by its magic and power.
PRAISE
“The sheer range of the stories in Dominion is a testament to the genius of Black authors working around the world today.” — T.L. Huchu, Award-winning and Critically-acclaimed Author of The Hairdresser of Harare
“Dominion is worth picking up not just for the wealth it contains, but because it's an important anthology, one that will help shape this decade of reading.” — Cat Rambo, Nebula Award-winning Author and former President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
“The Dominion Anthology contains an explosion of new voices and creativity from all across the diaspora. It’s a feast of ideas that connects the old and the new, a song of new songs, and an exciting new collection of writers that I expect we’ll see even greater things from in the near future.” — Tobias S. Buckell, New York Times Bestselling, World Fantasy Award-winning, Hugo and Nebula Nominated Author
“Dominion is a massive achievement—the first new anthology with African editorship in some years. Established writers like Dilman Dila, Mame Bougouma Diene, Ekpeki Oghenechovwe, and Dare Segun Falowo join writers from Africa and the Diaspora. Each story is a coruscating world of its own.” — Geoff Ryman, Award-winning and Critically-acclaimed Author of Air
“I love this anthology. New voices, new visions—science fiction would be much poorer without it.” — Pat Cadigan, Hugo, Locus & Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning Author of Synners and Vice President of the British Science Fiction Association
“The Dominion Anthology is an excellent addition to the imaginative writing of authors of African/African Diasporan descent. The stories provide an exciting and thought-provoking journey. It’s a mind-expanding book where the authors weave cultural details from their respective origins that are fascinating and enlightening. Dominion belongs in every speculative fiction anthology collection.” — Milton J. Davis, Black Fantastic Author and Owner of MVmedia, LLC
“IF ONE IS LUCKY, A SOLITARY FANTASY CAN TOTALLY TRANSFORM ONE MILLION REALITIES.”
— Maya Angelou
A special thanks to all of our Kickstarter backers!
Anonymous
Rochell Rushlow
Søren Staugaard
Milton Davis
S. Qiouyi Lu
Steve Zisson
Sara Codair
Linda H. Codega
Selena E. L. Middleton
Cerece Rennie Murphy
Alexandra Fleming
Patrick Osbaldeston
IAN MARTIN
Vincent
Janito V. Ferreira Filho
Dagmar Baumann
Phil Balagtas
Debra Vigil
Kelly Prosen
Patrice Sarath
Keith Johnson
Bethany Sell
Peter J. King
Sara Lunsford
David VonAllmen
Paul F. Volpe
svovli
N.R. Lambert
Michael Sherman
Scott A Saxon & Martin E Stein
Guthrie Taylor
Maria Haskins
Cynthia Huscroft
Kam Lukasz Przywoski
John Robinson IV
Bryce O’Connor
eSpec Books
Kora M. Sadler
Adam Fory-san Zalonis
William Franks
Andrew and Kate Barton
Kirsten Kowalewski
Rector
Crystal Weber
Christopher
Cody Black
Benjamin C. Kinney
Kevin Carey
Davery Bland
Eddy Webb
Meredith Peruzzi
Carvel Smith
Jaq Greenspon
Sharon Altmann
Matthew Abbott
Ronald H. Miller
David Lystlund
Melody Wolfe
Xander Powers
R. L. Dwyer
Ian J. Foster
Michael “Talthos” Willett
Swordsfall
Jenny L. Davis
Colin Anders Brodd
Jeffery “J.D.” Duke
Anthony Jeremy Brett
Paul Cooke
Julian Purdy
Ofeibea Loveless
Dylan
Benito Melany
Arbelo
Chuck Clark
J. Williams
Parker & Malcolm Curtis
Patrick Riley
Andrew Lyons
James Sharpe
Elias Dennis
Matthew Bess
Brittany S.
Bogi Takács and R.B. Lemberg
Christopher J. Williams
Cat Rambo
Dedren Snead
Jon Rettie
James Lucas
Joey O
Michael Y
Bradford Elliott
Eric Hendrickson
Belinda Crawford
Bluegrass Geek
Thea Flurry
Terrie Hashimoto
Joanne Renaud
Aaron J
Michael the Horologist
Kelly Dwyer
Paige L. Christie
Merrie Haskell
Peter Thompson
Maya G
Julian Crosson-Hill
Silvia La Posta
Michelle M. Pessoa
Julie Ann Miller
Justina Robson
Margaret Fisk
David Azzageddi Farnell
Mary Fan
Brandon Crilly
Zoltán Velkei
Jamie Kramer
Krystal Windsor
Bob Huss
If This Goes On (Don’t Panic)
Kimberly Wallace
Tania Clucas
Nathaniel Kunitsky
D. Simons
Pat Hayes
Ruth Coy
Josh Kanto
Cathin Yang
CJ Barberan
Jennifer Brozek
Cristina Alves
C Newhouse
Tim Whitworth
K.G. Orphanides
Sheryl R. Hayes
Mike Cassella
Ernesto Pavan
Brian Dysart
Olivia Montoya
John Kusters
Jonathan Leggo
Lutz Hofmann
Paige Kimble
Frances Rowat
Jordan Theyel
Jess Lanzillo
C.C. Finlay
Sarah Mott
Jenelle Clark
The Magus
Kevin James
Doug Hagler
Sammy Lev
Darren Lipman
Bridget McKinney
Demarest
Elsa Klingensmith
Nadia Hutton
D Franklin
Amanda Thomas
Andie Larson
Ruth Ann Orlansky
Nija Mashruwala
Jeremy Brett
Hog and Dice
Greg Berry & Janeka Rector
C. Harrison Fuller
Mike Martens
Markus Dirnberger
GC Rovario-Cole
Tracey & Tom Leroux
Matthew Egerton
Freddie van Os
Heiner Schulze
Scott Fitzgerald Gray
Ronda Searls
noarvara
Steve Scott
Gerry Saracco
Strange Worlds of Jason Kilgore
Kol Ceridwen
Carrie McClain
Alison Lam Brynn
Robin Hill
K. M. Leehan
Jack Shoulder
Deborah A. Flores
Luis Roncayolo
Erin Collins
Sib
Ben Madden
TH
A V Jones
Troy Liput
Madeleine Holly-Rosing
Melissa Manousos
Kelly Kleiser
Joelle Parrott
steven pirie-shepherd
Ari Marmell
Amanda Twigg
Travis Thomas
Susie Munro
Chris Pramas
Elliott Baye
AJ Fitzwater
Adam Hocum Stone
Sharon Scott Brooking
Jim DelRosso
Dawfydd Kelly
Catherine Oyiliagu
Wes Rist
B. Craig Stauber
Nightsky
David Mortman
Alison J. McKenzie
D Fasching
Susanna Chau
Judd Karlman
Jonathan Price
Beatriz Mingo
Gwenhael Le Moine
Alex Claman
S C Turnbull
Michael Gouker
Tom A.
Sarah G. Bolling
Ami Morrison
Phoebe Barton
Carsten Skansen
Thinking Ink Press
Tobias Sechelmann
Nathaniel Roberts
Robert Tienken
Pedro(Te)
Malissa White
Bryan Muensterman
Cathy Green
Cecilia Tan
Zac Searles
William A. Anderson
Brian Foster
Gav Thorpe
Melissa Shumake
Andrea Tatjana
Ariana Brady
Joshua Whitaker
Arnaud D’haijère
Shean, Semeicha, Sapphira, and Corazon Mohammed
Kirsten and Aiyven Mbawa
Pete Smith
Serenity Dee
Kate Malloy
Ellie Russell
August Quinn
Constance Wilde
Erika Christie
John Appel
Nora
Cecil King
Ratchford Family
Sarah A Bates
Sasquatch
Scytrin dai Kinthra
Ojiki Augustine Jr.
Crystal Hall
Leedvermaak
PJ Nielson
Sasha De’ath
RaJaRak
Isaac Chappell
Katherine S
Pat Cadigan
GMarkC
Mathieu D’Ordine
Elizabeth Doherty
Dauchon Richard Sands
Maurice Gray
Christian Buggedei
Kyn
erae
Uriah J. Mach
Daniel M. Perez
R J Theodore
BookWol
Kiya Nicoll
Tracy Pinkelton
Nancy Blue Tice
Katlina Sommerberg
David Voderberg
Ben Nash
MyraD
Ira Grace
Zack O.
Laura B. & John C.
Dab of Darkness Reviews
Cheri Kannarr
Marco Cultrera
Robyn M
Wilhelm D Meriwether
Cathy Greytfriend
Kimberly Lucia
Fluker
Erik T Johnson
S. Kay Nash
Kae Petrin
Daniel Ironwood
Andrew Groen
Sharona Ginsberg
Adrian
Steven Peiper
Sam Nelson
Greg Stolze
Damien Brunetto
T. Kurt Bond
Damba Yansane
Kip Corriveau
Nija Mashruwala
Joseph Jones
Dominic
Nicholas George
Elizabeth Bonesteel
Steven B
Katherine Delzell
Victoria Baker
StLOrca (Ravenclaw or die!)
Elizabeth R. McClellan
A Grue
L. Grabenstetter
V. S. Holmes
Ruth EJ Booth
Faye Jeffries
Shaka Jamal
Matt & Camille Knepper
Elias Dennis
Jamal Joseph Crespo
yohanna baez
Hal Mangold
Arinn Dembo
RM Ambrose
Sambor Mika
CS Fitzgerald
Classicista
Whitney Chaka Barber
Violet Walker
Janet Tait
Paul Alex Gray
Jeremy D. Mohler
Edwin Okolo
Gabriel Gerni
Adri Joy
Sabrina Spruitenburg
Joyce Torme
Maur
Bruce Baugh
donnan33ly
J. Hill
Christoph Paul Aulbach
Kurtis Newell-Campbell
Katy Rex
Justin
Atthis Arts
Chanza
John M. Portley
Marie Irshad-Nordgren
RP Nausicaah
Fraser Ronald
Paul T. Davies
Cullen ‘Towelman’ Gilchrist