Fear has a taste. It is this metallic tang that floods my mouth as I quicken my steps. My heart is a frantic tattoo, my mouth impossibly dry. I swallow. My tongue glues itself to the roof of my mouth. I squeeze Fatima’s hand and feel her answering squeeze. My breaths slow. And then the…
international
Africa, african writing, Fiction, international, writing contests
Ellen Banda-Aaku Announces 2014 Writivism Short Story Prize Shortlist
It was a pleasure to read all the stories on the long list. The themes of the stories were varied however many reflected in different ways the realities of life in our societies. Spousal abuse; the apathy of civil servants; the torment of living to a very old age; were some of the themes tackled…
Africa, african writing, Book News, Fiction, international
Zimbabwean Writers’ Trouble in Paradise, by Beaven Tapureta
Zimbabwean artists, particularly writers, have been skeptical of wills and this has led to the mismanagement or utter neglect of their artistic estates when they pass on. While families of deceased artists may largely carry the blame for not raising a brow, artists need also to take responsibility of their creative works as these constitute…
Fiction, international, memoir
The Release of Ruth Marimo’s “OUTsider”
Scout Publishing has announced the release of Ruth Marimo’s memoir, Outsider: Crossing Borders, Breaking Rules, Gaining Pride. The release date is April 11, which is the National Day of Silence (USA). Ruth Marimo, a Zimbabwean writer, shares a story of surviving abuse, fighting deportation, and coming out as a lesbian. As a writer, Ruth Marimo continues to…
african writing, Fiction, international
New Short story from Abdifatah Shafat, Kenya/USA
We introduce a new story by Abdifatah Shafat, who explores issues of migration and return. His latest offering, “The Final Visit”, traces the experience of a returned son whose appreciation of the land he grew up has been changed by his stay overseas, yet he has never stopped caring about the home things that matter…
international, Poetry
Poems by Silva Merjanian, USA
Silva Zanoyan Merjanian is an internationally published poet residing in California. She released the first volume of her poems Uncoil a Night in 2013, with all proceeds donated to charity. Some of the publications she’s been featured in are: Streetcake Magazine, Miracle-ezine, The Literary Groong, Mad Swirl, The Galway Review, The Artistic Muse, Poet’s Basement…
