ZamaShort Volume One
ZamaShort Volume One
ZamaShort Volume One is the debut multi-genre annual anthology of the first twelve stories from the ongoing ZamaShort singles series. Boldly African with no compromise, these excellent stories range from satire to science fiction, fantasy, horror, literary, and more, showcasing the incredible depth and range of contemporary African authors at work today. Foreword by Eugen Bacon.
“The calibre of talent, wit, narrative skill, imagination, and fearlessness, showcased in this genre-defying anthology is out of this world. Every story invites the reader to experience an entirely different, always breathtakingly original and compelling world, and all stayed with me long after I’d finished reading the collection (some are still haunting me now!)”
— Sarah Lotz, author of The Impossible Us.
“An eclectic mix of stories as multifaceted and diverse as the continent they represent. The vision is ambitious, the stories no less so. Topped off with a fitting foreword by genre-bending maven Eugen Bacon, this collection unabashedly celebrates short-form literature and the power of African storytelling.”
— Cheryl S. Ntumy, author of They Made us Blood & Fury.
“The vivid depth and breadth of the ZamaShort project is on full show in this inventive, innovative and surprising anthology. Start here to get to grips with some of the freshest fiction—speculative or otherwise—being written today.”
— Dan Hartland, Senior Reviews Editor, Strange Horizons.
“Short fiction comes naturally to African storytellers; eavesdrop on us in conversation for half a minute, and you’ll see the truth of this. This stellar showcase features a wide variety of genres, themes, and settings, quality stories from authors you may know, and electrifying new writing from rising stars.”
— Jacqueline Nyathi, Harare Review of Books.
“Across the continent, short genre fiction is alive and kicking—just check out these brave new African worlds of gods, monsters, aliens, sorcerers, spirits, replicants, amateur detectives, biotech astronauts, charismatic pastors, single mothers, culinary droids, lost loves and voluntouring azungus. You’ll not regret it.”
— Mark Bould author of The Anthropocene Unconscious: Climate Catastrophe Culture.
“If you want to cross into the future of the African continent, ZamaShort Volume One is the perfect anthology to guide you through augmented bodies, AIs, climate crisis, mythologies, and new identities. Highly recommended!”
— Francesco Verso, Science Fiction Author and Editor of Future Fiction.
“Dances through diverse narratives, displaying the world class storytelling African authors and anthologists have come to be known for.”
— Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, author of Birth of Orisha.
“This first volume of ZamaShort continues the excellent work Ivor W. Hartmann is doing as he spreads the word about African fiction to readers around the world. The exciting variety of styles and perspectives in this anthology promise a bright future for ZamaShort.”
— Rachel Cordasco, SFinTranslation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD - EUGEN BACON
INTRODUCTION - IVOR W. HARTMANN
‘PISS CORPSE’ - MUTHI NHLEMA
‘SUMMER’ - NERINE DORMAN
‘THE LAST AND FINAL BATTLE’ - ZAINAB OMAKI
‘THE CLARITY OF ICE’ - CARMELO RAFALÀ
‘THE SMELL OF RAIN’ - LIBBY YOUNG
‘SINDI FAIR’ - DARE SEGUN FALOWO
‘WHEN TWO SORCERERS COLLIDE’ - T.L. HUCHU
‘THE OFFERTORY’ - TABITHA WANJA MWANGI
‘EVERYONE IS A ROBOT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE’ - BONGANI SIBANDA
‘VIBRATING PARTICLES’ - DANIEL JOE
‘GOLD-PLATED BOY’ - HUSSANI ABDULRAHIM
‘DID YOU GET MARRIED TO HER WHEN I WAS IN THE MENTAL HOSPITAL’ - ABIGAIL GEORGE
AUTHOR ESSAYS (ebook only)
The ZamaShort imprint is solely focused on the amazing powerhouse that is the short story. As per the parent StoryTime Publishing mandate initialised in 2007, ZamaShort continues to champion and add to the ever-growing canon of African literature excellence and diversity.
Add to your Goodreads/StoryGraph to read list.
Release: 8th November 2026 (Pre-Orders Up!)
Available Here:
Direct from ZamaShort at our shop at: zamashort.com
Hardback/Paperback/Ebook
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HN7JFT8Z
(Also Amazon UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, NL, JP, BR, CA, MX, AU, IN)
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zamashort-volume-one-tl-huchu/1151705609?ean=2940197083203
Bookshop.org: Ebook, Paperback/Hardback
Also available through Ingram iPage.
Ebook Only
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/zamashort-volume-one/id6823860122
Libby: https://share.libbyapp.com/title/13773249
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/se/sv/ebook/zamashort-volume-one
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=JBYdEgAAQBAJ
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2126491
Thalia: https://www.thalia.de/shop/home/artikeldetails/A1082144968
Fable: https://fable.co/book/x-9789189984134
Vivlio: https://shop.vivlio.com/product/9789189984134_9789189984134_10020/zamashort-volume-one
Title: ZamaShort Volume One
Editor: Ivor W. Hartmann
Foreword: Eugen Bacon
Authors: Muthi Nhlema, Nerine Dorman, Zainab Omaki, Carmelo Rafalà, Libby Young, Dare Segun Falowo, T.L. Huchu, Tabitha Wanja Mwangi, Bongani Sibanda, Daniel Joe, Hussani Abdulrahim, Abigail George.
Publisher: ZamaShort
Hardback Edition: ISBN: 9789189984110
Paperback Edition: ISBN: 9789189984127
E-book Edition: ISBN: 9789189984134
Audio Book Edition: ISBN: 9789189984141
Pages
Print: 244
Ebook: 328
Release: 8th November 2026