A new anthology of Science Fiction by African writers
2012 will no doubt mark many firsts, and we hope that the AfroSF anthology will be among them. This will be the first African Science Fiction anthology open to submissions from all African writers (only) across the continent and Diaspora.
This particular genre has been somewhat neglected in the burgeoning African literature scene, something we hope that this anthology will help to address and encourage more of. We have a firm belief that the opportunities that SciFi engenders with its broad scope for imagination, invention, metaphor, political and social commentary, will take African writers out of their current comfort zones and into new territories.
Established African writers like Nnedi Okorafor (2011 World Fantasy Award winner), and Lauren Beukes (2011 Arthur C. Clarke Award winner) are already signed up for the anthology.
The anthology will be selected and edited by African Author, Ivor Hartmann and published by StoryTime (Publishing).
Deadline for submissions is May 31st 2012.
Submissions and guidelines here.
This is fantastic, I look forward to seeing this in print.
Congratulations, I applaud this, let me know if I can be of help.
Thanks for the positive feedback Winston and Harriet! It will be an eBook first, then a print edition if all goes well. We have a facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/AfroSF if you’d like to keep track of our progress.
I cant wait for this one Ivor! I Just want to tap on this genre and see how i can go about it!! I’m busy formulating a story as we speak!!!
I hate to be the pedantic one. But the rules say:
1) Only African writers are eligible (writers born in Africa, or having domiciled in for over 10 years, and/or holding citizenship in an African country)
Fair enough. I squeeze in on two counts. However, the call for contributions states that this is “open to submissions from all African writers (only) across the continent and diaspora.”
That word “diaspora” does not normally mean “people born in Africa and now living in London”. It normally refers to African-American, Afro-Caribbean and African-Brazillian communities, people who do not have citizenship of an African country. So there is is disconnect between your invitation and your rules. Time to reconsider one or the other?
Hey Mbonisi, looking forward to reading your sub as per usual
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Hi Michel. Thanks for the feedback.The word diaspora means “The dispersion or spreading of something that was originally localized (as a people or language or culture)” and in the context of this subs call is clearly in reference to Africans who have left their homelands and are abroad.
Wishing you all the best with this venture! Don’t think I’m a SciFi writer, but then I never thought I was a YA writer, so you never know!
Thanks Jayne, yes you never know until you try.