African Ghost Short Stories

Following the hugely successful Black Sci-Fri Short Stories and Asian Ghost Short Stories, comes this deluxe edition of new African writing and tales rooted in ancient culture. This collection explores the deep-seated supernatural element in African storytelling - whether reaching back to the spirits, ancestors and ogres of folklore or the vibrantly modern ghosts of today’s African horror. New and contemporary stories complement poignant folktales such as ’The Story of Takane’ from Lesotho and ’The Disobedient Daughter Who Married a Skull’ from Nigeria.

With a foreword by award-winning Nigerian-British writer Nuzo Onoh, an introduction by Prof. Divine Che Neba, and invaluable editorial support from writer and editor Chinelo Onwualu, this latest offering in the Flame Tree Gothic fantasy series delves into the fascinating heritage of African ghostly lore and literature, while allowing it to be reclaimed and retold by contemporary African voices.

New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Oluwaseyi Adebola, Fikayọmi Adeniyi, Michael Agugom, Eugen Bacon, Florence Adongo Bull, Tara Campbell, Rutendo Chichaya, Rutendo Chidzodzo, Mwenya S. Chikwa, Bekwele Chuku, Melody Cooper, Dilman Dila, Carol B. Duncan, Naomi Eselojor, Stanley Gazemba, Gabrielle Emem Harry, MaryAnn Ifeanacho, Achalugo Chioma Ilozumba, Amanda Ilozumba, Lucky Grace Isingizwe, Osahon Ize-Iyamu, B.T. Karuma, Kay Mabasa, Christopher Mlalazi, Keletso Mopai, Tariro Ndoro, Uchechukwu Nwaka, Ebere Obua, Eugene Odogwu, Okwiri Oduor, Ivana Akotowaa Ofori, Tobi Ogundiran, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Makena Onjerika, Hannah Onoguwe, Ephraim N. Orji, Anjali Patel, Peter K. Rothe, Nisi Shawl, Makhosi Sthembi, Tlotlo Tsamaase, Chisom Umeh, and Franka Zeph. These appear alongside classic work by Amos Tutuola and Thomas Mofolo, as well as folktales from around Africa.

The Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

Nuzo Onoh (Foreword) is an award-winning Nigerian-British writer of speculative fiction. She is a pioneer of the African horror literary subgenre. Hailed as the ’Queen of African Horror’, Nuzo’s writing showcases both the beautiful and horrific in the African culture within fictitious narratives. She is a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Nuzo’s works have featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and anthologies, and have been longlisted, shortlisted and recommended. She has given talks and lectures about African Horror, including at the prestigious Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, London. Her works have also appeared in academic and feminist studies and she has also featured in Starburst magazine, the world’s longest-running magazine of cult entertainment. Nuzo holds a Law degree and Masters degree in Writing, both from Warwick University, England. She is a certified Civil Funeral Celebrant, licensed to conduct non-religious burial services. An avid musician, Nuzo plays both the guitar and piano, and holds an NVQ in Digital Music Production. She lives in The West Midlands, United Kingdom.

Divine Che Neba (Introduction) is an Associate Professor of African and Comparative Literature in the University of Yaounde I. He has taught at the University of Burundi and the Protestant University of Central Africa. He has sought to promote African Literature through lectures, publications and ethno-anthropological surveys. His research has propelled him into other kindred disciplines like minority and subversive literatures. He has published in renowned national and international journals. He is equally involved in the European Research Council team, which aims at building a database of children and young adult Literature/Culture across the world.

Chinelo Onwualu (Associate Editor) is a Nigerian writer and editor living in Toronto. She’s the nonfiction editor of Anathema magazine, and co-founder of Omenana, a magazine of African Speculative Fiction. Her writing has been featured in several anthologies and magazines, including Slate, Uncanny, and Strange Horizons. She’s been nominated for the British Science Fiction Awards, the Nommo Awards for African Speculative Fiction, and the Short Story Day Africa Award. Find her on her website at: www.chineloonwualu.com or follow her on Twitter @chineloonwualu.