Minister Faust facts for kids

Malcolm Azania (born 1969) is a talented writer from Canada, known mostly by his pen name, Minister Faust. He writes many different things, including novels, plays, and even video games! He's also a journalist and a teacher. From 2014 to 2015, he was the writer in residence at the University of Alberta, which means he was a special writer who helped students and the community.

About Malcolm Azania

Malcolm Azania was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His mother is Canadian, and his father is from Kenya. He went to school in his hometown and started writing when he was young. He was especially interested in science fiction stories.

Malcolm Azania's Career

Malcolm Azania's first published work was a science fiction play called The Undiscovered Country, which he wrote in 1986. He writes in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He calls his unique style of writing "imhotep-hop." This special type of writing is inspired by ancient African cultures and imagines a future where people fight for fairness and justice. Many of his stories also explore political ideas.

Novels by Minister Faust

The Coyote Kings

Minister Faust's first novel, The Coyote Kings, Book One: Space Age Bachelor Pad (2004), was nominated for several important awards. This exciting book follows Sherem, a smart character from Ethiopia, and his friends Hamza and Yehat. It's full of action, pop culture references, and themes inspired by African history and culture.

From the Notebooks of Dr. Brain

His second book, From the Notebooks of Dr. Brain (2007), won the Carl Brandon Society Kindred Award. It was also a runner-up for the Philip K. Dick Prize. The story is about six made-up superheroes who are in therapy. They share their struggles and what it's like to be famous.

The Alchemists of Kush

The Alchemists of Kush (2011) tells the story of two boys from Sudan who try to change the world. This science fiction novel, written under the name Minister Faust, is part of a style called Afrofuturism.

The book is split into four main parts, with chapters that switch between "The Book of Then" and "The Book of Now." There's also a third section called "The Book of the Golden Falcon." "The Book of Then" is set in ancient Africa, while "The Book of Now" takes place in Canada.

Minister Faust suggests different ways to read the book. You can read it from start to finish, or you can read all the "Then" chapters together, then all the "Now" chapters, and finish with "The Book of the Golden Falcon."

In The Alchemists of Kush, Minister Faust uses ideas from ancient practices like Alchemy, and also Egyptian hieroglyphics, numbers, and myths. He talks a lot about past lives and how people's actions in one life can affect their next. He explains that Alchemy is a "mystical system; a knowledge system." He combined "Ancient Egyptian history" with "modern African realities" to create this unique story.

The "Book of Now" part of the story is set in a place called Kush, which is in E-Town (Edmonton), Canada. Minister Faust describes E-Town as a neighborhood with many people from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan. The "Book of Then" happens in Africa, thousands of years before the "Book of Now."

The story on the back of the 2017 version of The Alchemists of Kush describes two Sudanese "Lost Boys." Their fathers were killed in a war, and their mothers had to leave their homes. To survive, the boys became tough and learned to be child soldiers. Later, they met wise teachers who helped them discover their true purpose. Even though they are separated by thousands of years, they are connected by a powerful truth. One is known as Supreme Raptor, and the other is Horus, son of Osiris. Both faced many challenges and are determined to change the world using the power of Alchemy.

War & Mir Series

The War & Mir series includes two novels: War & Mir, Volume I: Ascension (2011) and War & Mir, Volume II: The Darkold (2014). A third book is being written. These stories are about a character named Taharqa Douglass, who has a special ability that makes him a target for an interstellar war.

Video Games

Minister Faust has also written for several video games!

Mass Effect 2 DLC

He helped write the Kasumi – Stolen Memory downloadable content (DLC) for the popular game Mass Effect 2. This DLC was released in 2010 and added a new character, new outfits, and a new mission to the game.

Gift of the Yeti

In 2009, Minister Faust wrote Gift of the Yeti, an app for Facebook. This game was created to raise money for Child's Play, a charity that helps hospitals for children. In the game, you play as a yeti who has to deliver presents like Santa Claus, all while trying to avoid the police!

Darkspore

Minister Faust also wrote for Maxis's game Darkspore, which came out in 2011. In this game, players create their own character and fight across different planets to save the galaxy.

Stage Writing and Sketch Comedy

Minister Faust started writing plays when he was 17. His first play was the science fiction story The Undiscovered Country. He also wrote a play called The Wonderful World of Wangari, which is about Dr. Wangari Maathi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner from Kenya. Besides plays, he has written funny short skits for local TV shows like The 11:02 Show and Gordon’s Big Bald Head.

Journalism and Radio

Minister Faust's short stories and poems have been featured in many collections. His articles have also appeared in various publications.

Africentric Radio

In 1991, Minister Faust started a radio show called Africentric Radio. It was also known as The Terrodome: Black Radio In the Hour Of Chaos and later The Terrordome: The Afrika All World News Service. He continued with the show until 2012. Many important political and artistic figures, like Noam Chomsky and Ice-T, were guests on his show.

HelpTV

From 2007 to 2008, Minister Faust was the host and a producer for HelpTV, a national TV show in Canada that aired every day.

Book TV's 3 Day Novel Contest

He was also a celebrity judge on Book TV's 3 Day Novel Contest for two seasons.

Politics

Malcolm Azania has also been involved in politics. In the 2004 Canadian federal election, he ran as a candidate for the New Democratic Party in Edmonton Strathcona. He finished in third place, but he helped increase the support for his party in that area by more than 3,000 votes.

Works by Malcolm Azania

Video Games

• Gift Of the Yeti (2009)
• Mass Effect 2: Kasumi – Stolen Memory (2010) Downloadable Content
• Darkspore (2011) Video Game

Stage Writing

• The Wonderful World of Wangari
• The Undiscovered Country