Omenana speculative fiction magazine (established in 2014) is the Locus and Nommo Award-nominated, tri-monthly magazine that is open to submission from speculative fiction writers from across Africa and the African Diaspora.
Since 1969, Science Fiction & Fantasy South Africa (SFFSA), based in Johannesburg, has been the premier club for fans and connoisseurs of sci-fi and fantasy books, film, and art.
Omenana, in partnership with SFFSA, is putting together a special issue that will focus on the over-50-year history and bright presence of South African Science fiction and fantasy writing. The issue will feature reprints of old stories, non-fiction essays and analyses and a crop of brand-new stories by established and new writers.
Stories do more than entertain us, the best stories hold up a mirror to the world. They show us not just what is, but what could be.
For this special issue, we are looking for well-written speculative fiction that bridges the gap between past, present, and future of South Africa in particular, through vivid imagination.
If you think you’ve got just the tale, send it in; we’d love to show it to the world.
What we are looking for
We are looking for speculative short stories that explore the themes of South African SF, Fantasy Horror, or cross-genre stories. A truly African take on these, whether it be the effect of “Tokoloshe” myth on a speculative plot or futuristic societies in a uniquely South African Diaspora.
We are looking for strong, character-driven stories that focus on future or past visions.
Think space operas that look at the intricate lives of people in ships hurtling towards distant galaxies. Think retellings of ancestral myths on a planet light-years away. Think love! Think war! Think family! Think technology! Think gods and goddesses. Think modern societies or ancient ones. Think out of the box. But avoid dressing South African tradition and philosophy up as science fiction and fantasy. For example, the supposed magic of the sangoma is itself not the stuff of fantasy, but the impact of it on a fantasy plot could be highly relevant.
Let your creativity run wild.
Word length
We are looking for stories of 1000-5000 words.
Additional requirements for stories
Stories should be centered around some element of the South African lived experience and can be set anywhere in a near or far future, other place, other world. If you can imagine it, let’s see it. We are particularly interested in stories from members of historically under-represented and/or marginalized communities in South Africa in order to capture the full range of diversity in the rainbow nation.
Stories can be of any sub-genre in the speculative: Cyberpunk, Epic fantasy, Africanfuturism, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy, Space opera or any combination but the speculative element must be overt.
Finally, stories should be original and should not have appeared anywhere else online or in print.
How to submit
All submissions should be sent to sevenhills.media@yahoo.com on or before July 30, 2022.
Include the words “SA Special Issue Submission” in your title.
Submission format
All stories must be submitted as a single attachment in .doc file format. Please do not send PDF.
Include a short cover letter in the body of your e-mail providing your contact details (name – not the pseudonym you write under – address, email and phone number), a brief publication history, a bio of no more than 100 words and a profile photo.
Please follow this Standard Manuscript Format.
Payment?
Yes. We will be paying a flat rate of USD 100 for published stories.
We can’t wait to see your work!