The Princess in the Dark by Zai Sylla - Special Edition

The Princess in the Dark
by Zai Sylla

I'm so excited to share that I'm writing my very own middle-grade, African-mythology-inspired fantasy novel — The Princess in the Dark, tentatively set to release in 2027.

The Princess in the Dark follows a 13-year-old Black girl who wants nothing more than to be accepted for who she is — until African gods choose her to save the world, and she becomes the most powerful magical being to ever exist. Think Percy Jackson's lore, Percabeth's slow burn, the found-family adventure of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Elphaba's journey from doubt to unstoppable — all inspired by real mythology and spirituality from Guinea, ancient Egypt, and the Yoruba people.

How pre-ordering works

This book is still being written — that's the honest truth, and I want you to know exactly what you're getting when you pre-order. Your pre-order today does two things: it secures your copy ahead of release, and it directly funds the editor, illustrator, and cover designer who'll help this story become real. You'll also get access to a private Discord and African mythology guide to learn more. Copies ship once the book is printed and ready, targeting 2027. The price you pay today is the price you pay — nothing extra later.

The Special edition includes

• Signed book plates (that's right you get a signed book plate from me!)
• Sprayed edges — coloured page edges for a stunning collector's finish
• Additional art - details to be revealed soon!

"I haven't received my book yet — what's going on?"

Totally normal, and you're not missing anything! The Princess in the Dark hasn't been printed yet — pre-ordering means you're reserving your copy now, while I finish writing, editing, and illustrating it. The moment it ships, every pre-order goes out first.

The African mythology world tour + souvenir milestones

I'm doing something most authors never get to traveling to Guinea, Egypt, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria to research this book in person — meeting elders in small villages, hearing stories firsthand, and bringing pieces of that journey home to you. Every pre-order moves us toward 5,000 copies, and at each milestone, a new souvenir unlocks for everyone who's already pre-ordered:

• 1,000 pre-orders → souvenirs from Guinea (my country of origin along with Egypt!)
• 2,000 pre-orders → souvenirs from country 2
• 3,000 pre-orders → souvenirs from country 3
• 4,000 pre-orders → souvenirs from country 4
• 5,000 pre-orders → souvenirs from country 5 + a huge giveaway 

A note on AI

Every word of this book is written by me. Every piece of cover art and concept art is created by real, human artists I've commissioned. No AI, anywhere in this process — not in the writing, not in the art. This story is handmade, start to finish. 

Shipping

We ship worldwide. Wherever you are, your copy — and your souvenirs — will find you.

Pre-order today to lockkkk in your copy, help fund this book's production, and be part of the journey from day one!!