In his review of Okey Ndibe’s ‘Foreign Gods, Inc.’ (2014), Ronald Adamolekun writes, “There has been much fuss in the media regarding the credibility of Okey Ndibe’s prose style. His debut novel, ‘Arrows of Rain,’ shares a close title with Chinua Achebe’s 1964 novel, ‘Arrow of God.’ His deployment of the nuances in the ethical…
international
international, Poetry
Three Poems by John Horvath Jr (USA)
John Horvath Jr is a retired professor, disabled veteran, poet and full time observer of humanity. He writes from “inside the sinner” in order to give dignity and purpose to the social “outcast” and common man. Since the 1960s. his poetry has been published in Africa, America North, Asia, Australia, and Europe. John…
Fiction, international
A New Short Story by Philip Kobylarz (USA)
Philip Kobylarz is a teacher and writer of fiction, poetry, book reviews, and essays. He has worked as a journalist and film critic for newspapers in Memphis, TN. His work appears in such publications as Paris Review, Poetry, and The Best American Poetry series. The author of a book of poems concerning life in the south of France, he…
Fiction, international
New Short Story from Julie Cairnie (Canada)
Julie Cairnie is an Associate Professor in the School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph (Canada). She teaches and researches southern African literature — with special interests in gender, sport, and childhood. Her academic and creative work is deeply informed by her experience as a temporary teacher in Mutorashanga (Zimbabwe) in…
african writing, Fiction, international
New Story by Belkacem Meghzouchene (Algeria)
We introduce ‘And the Rainbow Twisted’, a new short story by Belkacem Meghzouchene, an Algerian author (born October 18, 1979 in Aït Hamsi.) A geneticist by training, he has published his first novel, SOPHIA IN THE WHITE CITY (Editions l’Odyssée, Algeria, 2010), a premiere in French-prone Maghrebi country. In June 2011, he won the first award of…
african writing, Fiction, international, new writing
Short Story by Rufaro Gwarada (Zimbabwe/USA)
We present ‘The Keeper of Family Peace’, a new short story by Rufaro Gwarada, a US-born Zimbabwean who spent the formative years of her life in Zimbabwe before moving back to the United States for college in 1999. She earned a bachelor’s degree from University of the Pacific and a master’s in Gender and Development…
Africa, Fiction, international
New Story from Fungai Rufaro Machirori, Zimbabwe
We bring to you a new timely story from Fungai Rufaro Machirori, a Zimbabwean creative with a passion for the written word and photography. She is the Founder and Managing Editor of Her Zimbabwe (online at www.herzimbabwe.co.zw) , a platform to amplify Zimbabwean women’s voices online. Excerpt: Leading story. June 27 2014.…
Africa, african writing, Fiction, international, writing contests
‘Walls and Borders’ by Ssekandi R Sseguja (Writivism 2014 Shortlist)
The Jaguar Bus pulled up by the sides of Immigration offices at Katuna border post in Kabale District. Nancy, who was seated at the rear, got up from her seat as the bus turn-boy ordered everyone to make haste. She was now closer to home. She had replayed this scene in her mind countless times in the…
Africa, african writing, Fiction, international
SURVIVED BY (Kelechi Njoku) – Writivism Shortlist 2014
Mama wanted the hospital visits to stop, so she grumbled about this for days. At first, it seemed nobody in the family was listening to her. Then her youngest son Nwachi died. She grumbled louder. The hospital-going had to stop, she moaned, it had to stop. One morning, after breakfast, she slapped the hand of…
Africa, african writing, Book Reviews, Fiction, international, new writing
‘Devils’ by Wise Nzikie Ngasa (Writivism 2014 Shortlist)
“This country is fucked up. What shit are they celebrating?” Mbatu nods towards the noisy bunch of students who have occupied every table in this open-air bar. They are singing and dancing as if someone just won a million dollars in the lottery. These are the boys and girls who say they have ‘swag’. Girls…