Interviews

Ayesha Harruna Attah

‘Write What You’ve Always Wanted to Write’ Ayesha Harruna Attah’s First Draft

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Ghanaian writer and author of The Hundred Wells of Salaga, Ayesha Harruna Attah, says she was inspired to write her latest novel during the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘The inspiration for Zainab Takes New York came from being stuck indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the uncertainty of those first months of the pandemic, I thought to myself: write what you’ve always wanted to write—and that turned out to be a romantic comedy.’ Read More...
First DraftGhanaInterviewsOctober/November 2024
Oyindamola Shoola

‘Poems That Tell Good Stories Are Hard to Forget’ Oyindamola Shoola’s First Draft

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Author of Face Me I Face You and co-founder of Sprinng, Oyindamola Shoola, is committed to creating a space where African writers can grow, thrive, and be celebrated for their unique contributions: ‘Sprinng was founded in 2016, inspired by the challenges my co-founder, Kanyinsola Olorunnisola, and I faced as young African writers. We recognized the limited support and resources available for writers on the continent. This gap often forces writers to seek opportunities abroad with limited resources to support them.’ Read More...
First DraftInterviewsNigeriaOctober/November 2024
Chioma Okereke

‘I Never Intended to Write a Novel’ Chioma Okereke’s First Draft

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Nigerian writer and author of Water Baby, Chioma Okereke, is excited to see more Nigerian writers branching out beyond literary fiction: ‘More writers are emerging in genres like historical fiction, romance, science fiction, and beyond. It is encouraging, after so much pigeonholing, that we are finally witnessing more breakthroughs in other genres, which is hopefully inspiring new authors.’ Read More...
First DraftInterviewsNigeriaOctober/November 2024
Tobi Eyinade

‘Africans Do Read’ Tobi Eyinade’s First Draft  

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Co-founder of Rovingheights Bookstore, Tobi Eyinade, disagrees with the belief that Africans do not read: ‘Rovingheights would not be here after nine years if that sentiment holds true. People often say Africans don’t read, yet we have managed to build a thriving book business despite the daunting challenges. Africans do read. While the numbers may not match those of other continents, we have come a long way.’ Read More...
First DraftInterviewsNigeriaOctober/November 2024
Dennis Mugaa

‘I Hope That My Work Will Never Side with the Oppressor’ Dennis Mugaa’s First Draft

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Kenyan writer and author of Half Portraits Under Water, Dennis Mugaa, believes that President William Ruto’s administration is authoritarian: ‘Young people genuinely want a better country, but we are living in a country that has been slowly sliding into authoritarianism over the past two years, since President Ruto’s government took over. Beyond that, his leadership has been very poor.’ Read More...
First DraftInterviewsKenyaOctober/November 2024
Otosirieze Obi-Young

‘A Writer Who Has Nothing to Say Has Nothing to Write’ Otosirieze Obi-Young’s First Draft

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Founder and editor of Open Country Mag, Otosirieze Obi-Young, believes African writers are not credited enough as innovators for their adaptiveness to solving problems on the page: ‘When Damon Galgut flits between the first- and third-person in one sentence in his book, “In a Strange Room”, the acknowledgement never transcends book reviews into literary culture essays or lists.’ Read More...
Best of 2024: First DraftFirst DraftInterviewsNigeriaOctober/November 2024