Hellooo!!

This week I read the excellent anthology The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021) Volume One edited by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki a great anthology covering a host of amazing stories covering science fiction, fantasy and horror. I was lucky enough to be able to ask a few question of Oghenechovwe and the award winning editor kindly gave us a bit about the process of making this collection and other things to look forward to.

How would you booktempt The Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction?

The first ever Year's Best African Speculative Fiction anthology. Brevity and directness, I know. It's a very specific thing, and a first. Hence it's not too easy to classify

What was the process in selecting the year’s stories like?

Reading, reading, reading. And research. I had to cover a good number of works published by writers of African descent. And that's stretching across most of the genre mags a bunch and outside of it. Also, anthologies and collections. I normally read wide, having had to edit for several mags in the past and now, as well as edit three books simultaneously; two self published and one with TorDotCom, and the the collections issue of the Interstellar Flight Press. But I had to reread much of what I already had to get a fresh sense of it. And outside the boarders of what I did before in order to be thorough and catch the stories trying to fall through the cracks.

Any particular gems that completely surprised you in this collection?

Well this was a journey of rediscovery mainly. Of getting reacquainted with old friends I had met before. But they were all equally amazing for me. I can't relegate my delight to just any. But if I must, then it's the very first story in the anthology. "Where You Go" by Somto I. Ihezue is a fluid piece of writing with language that draws you along the oozingly warm part it flows through. It was published in Omenana magazine, the only African, exclusively speculative fiction magazine. It was a thorough joy to read each time I did.

Did you spot any common trends in the stories you were looking at?

Well, a dark tone, which I noticed a lot of the stories written last year had. Might be the times.

What does your role as editor involve for each story?

A thorough reading to determine they not just fit in the book, but where they fit and how they flow with the rest of the stories. Then of course reaching out to the authors as I am both editor and publisher.

So…… Volume 2  work underway?

Definitely. *smiles*

What else can we look forward to from you next and where can we hear more from you?

Is that as a writer, editor or publisher?

As a writer I have a climate fiction, mundane sci-fi story set in Lagos, forthcoming in Galaxy's Edge. A couple non-fiction pieces here and there. As an Editor, the Africa Risen anthology with Zelda Knight and Sheree Renée Thomas, forthcoming on TorDotCom in 2022 and as a publisher, the Bridging Worlds non-fiction anthology due next month. I'm also currently editing the collections issue of Interstellar Flight Press.

If there was one book (not your own) that you wish you could get everyone to read, what would it be and why?

Son of the Storm, Book one of The Nameless Republic by Suyi Davies Okungbowa. It beautifully explores the thirst and search for power and the attendant consequences based on the uses its put to upon attainment. Also, it's lushly written epic fantasy with breathtaking world building and rich with the lore and culture of West Africa.