On August 1, 2026, Crowne Books announced its call for submissions for Dominion II: Speculative Stories of Black Resistance from Africa and the African Diaspora.
The new collection builds on the acclaim of its predecessor, the 2020 anthology Dominion. It seeks to push boundaries by asking a profound question: how do communities fight for a future that honours their past? Authors have until February 28, 2027, at 11:59 PM EST to submit their work.
The enduring legacy of Black speculative storytelling
For generations, storytelling has been a cornerstone of African cultures, a powerful tool for preserving history, transmitting values, and imagining new realities. Black speculative fiction, a genre gaining increasing recognition, continues this tradition. It uses elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magic to confront historical injustices, celebrate cultural identity, and envision futures where Black people thrive.
This movement isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about reclamation. It provides a space to challenge dominant narratives and create alternative histories, often using mythology and folklore as springboards. In Nigeria, where rich oral traditions intersect with contemporary experiences, this form of literature holds particular resonance.
From Dominion I to a sharper focus
The first Dominion anthology, published in 2020 by Aurelia Leo, marked a significant moment in literature. Co-edited by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and Zelda Knight, it was groundbreaking as the first anthology of speculative fiction and poetry composed exclusively of African and African Diaspora authors.
That initial collection tackled broad questions about the future and legacy of Africa and its diaspora. It featured thirteen short fiction pieces, including a foreword by renowned author Tananarive Due. Themes ranged from racism and colonialism to cultural erasure and religious zealotry, resonating with a global audience and earning critical praise.
The anthology garnered substantial recognition, winning the British Fantasy Award for “Best Anthology” in 2021. It also received nominations for “Best Anthology” at the 2021 Locus Awards and the 2020 This Is Horror awards. Works within it, like Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki’s “Ife-Iyoku, the Tale of Imadeyunuagbon,” even earned a Nebula Award nomination for Best Novella.
This success laid the groundwork for the more pointed inquiry of Dominion II.
Crafting narratives of resistance and reclamation
Dominion II narrows its focus considerably from its predecessor. Olivia Nightingale and Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki are explicitly calling for stories and poems that are “boundary-pushing, unapologetic Black speculative fiction and poetry grounded in real-world liberation histories.” This isn’t merely about imagining different worlds; it’s about actively connecting those imagined worlds to the struggles and triumphs of the past.
The anthology seeks work that encapsulates Black joy, communal defiance, and “untamed magic.” Writers are encouraged to explore a diverse array of subgenres. These include Sword & Soul, Afrofuturism, Africanfuturism, Afropantheology, Horror Noire, Steamfunk, Dieselfunk, and Black Cli-fi. There’s also a keen interest in stories that engage with the global climate crisis, bringing an urgent contemporary issue into the speculative realm.
This emphasis reflects a growing recognition that stories can be powerful tools for social change. By exploring these themes through imaginative narratives, authors can help readers process the past, understand the present, and envision actionable pathways toward a more equitable future. It’s a literary movement that seeks to inspire and empower.
The visionaries behind the anthology: Crowne Books and its editors
At the heart of this project is Crowne Books, a Black woman-owned independent press committed to amplifying diverse voices. Its very existence represents a form of resistance within the publishing world, creating platforms where mainstream avenues may fall short.
The editorial leadership for Dominion II rests with Olivia Nightingale and Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. Their collaboration isn’t new; they previously worked together on the highly acclaimed Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, published by Tordotcom in 2022. That collection went on to receive an NAACP Image Award nomination, underscoring their ability to curate impactful and resonant literature.
Their combined experience and vision are pivotal to shaping an anthology that is both artistically compelling and culturally significant. They understand the nuances of the genre and the profound historical and social contexts from which these stories emerge. This shared expertise ensures that Dominion II will maintain the high standards set by its predecessor.
A guide for aspiring storytellers in the diaspora
For writers and poets looking to contribute to Dominion II, Crowne Books has outlined clear submission guidelines. The submission period began on August 1, 2026, and will close on February 28, 2027. This provides a generous window for authors to refine their work and ensure it aligns with the anthology’s vision.
Fiction submissions should adhere to a length of up to 17,500 words and will be compensated at the professional rate of $0.08 per word, meeting the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) standard. Poets will receive a flat fee of $50 per poem.
For reprints, the rates are $0.01 per word for fiction and $25 per poem. All submissions must follow the standard Shunn manuscript format and be sent as Word .docx files to hello [at] crownebooks.com.
Notably, Crowne Books has instituted a strict policy against AI-generated or AI-assisted writing, though non-generative tools like Grammarly for spell-check are acceptable. This commitment ensures authenticity and preserves the human element at the core of storytelling.
Payments will be disbursed through various convenient platforms, including PayPal, Wise, Stripe, or Western Union, making it accessible to creators globally. Writers and poets from places like Nigeria, and indeed all corners of the African diaspora, are strongly encouraged to participate in this literary undertaking.
Submissions open up significant opportunities for African voices to gain wider readership.
The cultural resonance of imagining resistance
Why does Black speculative fiction, and specifically anthologies like Dominion II, resonate so deeply within the cultural fabric of Nigeria and the broader African diaspora? It’s because these stories tap into a collective memory of struggle and an enduring spirit of overcoming.
They provide a canvas for exploring the historical trauma of slavery and colonialism, but crucially, they do so not from a place of victimhood, but of agency and power.
These narratives offer a way to re-examine history, not just as a sequence of events, but as a living force that continues to shape identity. Imagine, for instance, a story where ancient Nigerian deities intervene in modern climate crises, or where technology from a hidden African empire offers a solution to contemporary social divides.
Such tales don’t just entertain; they provoke thought, they heal, and they inspire.
The call for submissions for Dominion II represents more than just an invitation to write; it’s a summons to participate in a cultural movement. It asks creators to harness the power of imagination to confront real-world challenges, weaving narratives of hope and defiance. These works contribute to a shared legacy of Black cultural expression that refuses to be silenced or diminished.
What new insights will these stories reveal about our past, and what seeds will they plant for the futures we aspire to build? Perhaps they’ll echo the resilience seen in the ordeal of Private Adisa Olanegan during the Nigerian Civil War, transforming historical pain into future possibility.
