“Woman at the Gate” by Vashti Anderson
We all sneezed. Or maybe I just sneezed, but we all looked away at exactly the same time and, at exactly the same time, looked back . . .
Category: Duppy Thursday
Akashic Books is proud to introduce a new flash fiction series, Duppy Thursday. Though we’re based in Brooklyn, our location envy of the Caribbean is evident throughout our catalog. One aspect of Caribbean literature that appeals to us is the integration of folklore into contemporary stories—a perfect example being Jamaican author Marlon James’s debut novel John Crow’s Devil, which we published to great critical acclaim in 2005. Whether it be the spider Anansi, the devil woman La Diablesse, the Soucouyant, Mama Dlo, or Papa Bois, these mythical beings have injected life (and death) into the literature of the region. As with our other flash fiction series, we challenge you to tell your story in 750 words or less.
“Love, Breath, and Salt” by Caroline de Verteuil
The long wooden pirogue knocked lazily against the concrete pillars of the jetty . . .
“The Tale of the Soucouyants” by Crystal Medina
It was almost dawn when a loud shriek of anguish and pain could be heard at the end of Guayaguayare village . . .
“La haine de la diablesse” by Rajendra Shepherd
We never give up being wanted . . .
“Albert and the La Diablesse” by Robin Montano
Albert was cross with himself. He had left Annabelle’s home far too late, at 9:30 in the evening and now faced the long ride back to St. Joseph from Arima in the dark . . .
“Viv’s Revenge . . . Or How the Douen Came to Love Herself” by Debra Providence
“J’Ouvert morning is when the angels and demons dance,” PaPa had said. His words were on a loop in Viv’s head as she made her way through the crowds on Back Street in Kingstown. Daylight had caught the night, melting dark tendrils until they turned grey . . .
“The Pappyon Caper” by Eleanor Simon
The airport was abuzz with travelers. After a year of performing for audiences who shouted “yes” to their Haitian music, Pappyon, Neg Mawan, Yatande and Zilibo—known as The Haitian Cats—were going on vacation . . .
“My Zombie Ex-Girlfriend and Me” by Geoffrey Philp
You might think that she was a monster, but she really wasn’t . . .