Illustration by Akintoba Kalejaye
The latest anthology to emerge from the acclaimed Sauútiverse is here: Sauúti Terrors: The Dark Side. This new collection comes on the heels of the successful Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology, inviting readers to delve deeper into the shadowy corners of the Sauútiverse. While the federation of planets is known for its rich sounds, music, languages, biologies, and histories, it is far from perfect. In Sauúti Terrors, perils lurk at every turn—from legends and folktales to gods, ancestral spirits, sentient creatures, sonic storms, and meteor strikes.
The Dark Allure of Sauúti Terrors
With 25 original stories and 11 unique pieces of dark speculative poetry, Sauúti Terrors explores the doomed, the damned, the shunned, the cunning, the destroyers, and more. The anthology reveals the darkest tales from the deepest parts of the Sauúti five-planet system, which orbits a binary star with two suns. This rich tapestry of narratives features a blend of eerie magic, fantastical elements, and thought-provoking science and technology, promising an unforgettable journey into the unknown.
Who’s Behind the Stories?
The anthology boasts contributions from some of the most prominent names in speculative fiction, including:
- Linda D. Addison: Five-time Bram Stoker Award winner and recipient of the Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award, Mame Bougouma Diene: Caine Prize for African Writing winner. Other notable authors: Adelehin Ijasan, Akua Lezli Hope, Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga, Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena Moss, Cheryl Ntumy, Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu (Mazi), Chikodili Emelumadu, Dare Segun Falowo, DaVaun Sanders, Dilman Dila, Eugen Bacon, Ishola Abdulwasiu Ayodele, Jamal Hodge, Kofi Nyameye, Jude Umeh, Mandisi Nkomo, Miguel Mitchell, Moustapha Mbacké Diop, Nerine Dorman, Osahon Ize-iyamu, Shingai Njeri Kagunda, Somto Ihezue, Stephen Embleton, T. L. Huchu, Tobi Ongundiran, Wole Talabi, and Xan van Rooyen.
The Sauúti Collective’s co-editors, Eugen Bacon, Stephen Embleton, and Cheryl S. Ntumy, have signed a contract with Bieke van Aggelen of the African Literary Agency to represent Sauúti Terrors: The Dark Side.
A Proven Legacy
Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology, the inaugural Sauúti anthology, continues to garner global visibility. Edited by Wole Talabi and published by Android Press, it has been featured on the “Locus Recommended Reading List” and was a finalist in the Locus and British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) Awards. The anthology has stories longlisted for both awards and listed on the “HWA Bram Stoker Award® Reading List,” with multiple stories shortlisted in the Nommo Awards for Speculative Fiction by Africans.
The Journey Continues
With Sauúti Terrors: The Dark Side, the Sauúti Collective once again invites readers into their rich, complex universe. This anthology promises to be a spellbinding journey filled with dark wonders and chilling tales, solidifying the Sauútiverse as a cornerstone of Afrocentric speculative fiction.
Stay tuned for more updates and prepare to explore the dark side of the Sauútiverse.