Books On Board

Dilman Dila Books in Order

  • 27 Books
  • 2013 – 2023 Published

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Reading order
4 of 4 reading orders shown

Where to Start Reading Dilman Dila

For readers new to Dilman Dila's unique brand of African speculative fiction, the absolute best place to start is his debut short story collection, A Killing in the Sun (2014). This book compiles ten atmospheric tales that perfectly showcase his ability to merge traditional oral storytelling, supernatural horror, and futuristic sci-fi. It includes the acclaimed title story, which was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

If you prefer a more recent starting point, look no further than Where Rivers Go to Die (2023). This collection of eight stories was shortlisted for the prestigious Philip K. Dick Award in 2024. It offers a spectacular mix of Africanfuturism, space exploration, and urban fantasy, making it an excellent showcase of Dila's narrative evolution.

For readers who prefer single-narrative works rather than short fiction collections, the novella The Future God of Love (2021) or his early legend-inspired novelette The Terminal Move (2012) serve as excellent standalone gateways.

The Luna Novella Publishing Line Clarified

In many book databases, Dilman Dila's work is listed alongside a series called the "Luna Novella Books." It is crucial for readers to know that this is not a single-author continuous series. Instead, it is an annual publishing line of standalone novellas curated by Luna Press Publishing, featuring works by many different authors.

Dilman Dila contributed one specific book to this line: The Future God of Love (2021), which was published as Book 4 in the inaugural batch. The other titles in that list—such as Of Fire and Stone (by Nina Oram), Just Add Water (by John Dodd), and Dread and the Broken Witch (by Andrew Wallace)—are entirely separate stories set in different universes. You do not need to read any other Luna Novella release to fully enjoy Dila's contribution.

Dilman Dila's Core Works in Publication Order

Because Dilman Dila's books are standalone stories and collections, there is no strict narrative continuity to follow. However, reading them in publication order allows you to experience the growth of his speculative style. Here is the chronological order of his major standalone releases and collections:

  • The Terminal Move (2012) – A fantasy novelette inspired by ancient Luo migration legends, focusing on displaced tribes and a rebellion led into a mysterious valley.
  • Cranes Crest at Sunset (2013) – A cross-cultural novella tracing the relationship between a Nepali immigrant and a Ugandan herdsman.
  • A Killing in the Sun (2014) – Dila's landmark collection of ten speculative, horror, and sci-fi stories.
  • The Future God of Love (2021) – A science fiction novella examining futuristic relationships, folklore, and technology.
  • Where Rivers Go to Die (2023) – A collection of eight speculative stories blending ecological themes, space travel, and African folklore.

Key Anthologies and Short Fiction

Dilman Dila is a prolific short story writer whose works have appeared in several landmark speculative fiction anthologies. If you want to dive deeper into his bibliography, keep an eye out for these collections:

  • "How My Father Became a God" – Featured in The Apex Book of World SF 4 (2015), this story offers a brilliant look at ancestral worship and technology.
  • "Red_Bati" – Published in the highly acclaimed Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora (2020), following a sentient robotic dog aboard a spaceship.
  • "The Blue House" – Published in the groundbreaking anthology Africa Risen (2022).
  • "Yat Madit" – A story that inspired a popular Ugandan television drama series, exploring post-conflict healing and community.

What to Know Before You Start

Dilman Dila is not just a writer; he is also an accomplished, self-taught filmmaker. His cinematic background heavily influences his prose, which is highly visual, fast-paced, and relies on vivid sensory details. His stories are deeply rooted in the oral traditions of Uganda, yet they seamlessly integrate modern science fiction tropes like artificial intelligence, space colonization, and corporate exploitation. Readers should prepare for narratives that challenge Western conventions of speculative fiction, trading clean-cut technological explanations for rich, mythic, and socially conscious realities.

Frequently Asked

What is Dilman Dila's best starting book?

The best place to start is the short story collection A Killing in the Sun (2014), which introduces his trademark mix of African folklore, sci-fi, and horror. Alternatively, his award-nominated 2023 collection Where Rivers Go to Die is a fantastic entry point.

Are Dilman Dila's books part of a series?

No, Dilman Dila's books are standalone collections, novellas, and novelettes. They can be read in any order without worrying about narrative continuity.

Do I need to read all the Luna Novella books to understand Dilman Dila's work?

No. The Luna Novella series is a multi-author publishing line from Luna Press. Dilman Dila only wrote The Future God of Love (2021) in that collection. It is a standalone novella and has no connection to the other books in the lineup.

Is 'A Killing in the Sun' a novel?

Though sometimes categorized as a standalone novel in commercial listings, A Killing in the Sun is actually a collection of ten speculative fiction short stories.

What themes does Dilman Dila write about?

Dila writes about Africanfuturism, supernatural horror, colonial legacies, environmentalism, and social justice, often weaving traditional Ugandan myths with high-tech sci-fi elements.

Has Dilman Dila won any literary awards?

His collection Where Rivers Go to Die was shortlisted for the 2024 Philip K. Dick Award, and the title story of A Killing in the Sun was shortlisted for the 2013 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.