A few things happened in the latter part of 2022 that I had something to do with. If you don’t follow me on social media, you might have missed some of them, so here’s a quick wrap-up.
Newsletter!
Ironically, this blog post is more like a newsletter post than the posts in my actual newsletter, which has migrated to Substack. Maybe you’ll want to check it out. My latest issue was about the conundrum of qualifying for opportunities as an emerging writer. Subscribe if you like it!
Anthologies!
At the end of last year, not one, but two books to which I have contributed stories, made it onto Brittle Paper’s 100 Notable African Books of 2022!
The first is Tsoo Boi, published by Tampered Press, and available for purchase on BookNook and through Paystack. My contribution is a short story called “Golden Rings,” featuring a protest in Accra and unexpected metaphysical events.
The second is Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, published by Tor.com and available on all your major book-buying platforms. Hopefully, at some point, it will be physically available in Acca. I’ve been working on that, but it seems shipping has been endlessly delayed. But at least, if you’re in Ghana, you can still cop the Kindle version or listen on Audible. My contribution in this anthology is a Doctor Who-inspired short story called “Exiles of Witchery”, set in northern Ghana and featuring a trio of badass female protagonists.
Music!
I had the privilege of being a featured artist on two tracks on my friend and collaborator DJ Yamz’s debut album, 27 in Accra Town. You’ll find me briefly on U 4 Smoke Well as well as Champion No Easy (which is my favorite track on the entire album, if I do say so myself. It’s so groovy, and every feature is fire. Ahem).
Poetry!
The Canon Podcast, one of our favorite online platforms for poetry in Ghana, did a series in honor of Ama Ata Aidoo. I featured on an episode, with an original poem, read out loud. You can check out my episode, as well as the other episodes in the series. I’m glad we are giving Auntie Ama her flowers now, because that is a living legend.
Book Deal!
In case you missed it, folks, I will soon be a published author of my own book! I recently announced that Android Press will be publishing my novella, The Year of Return, later this year (beware, though: the publication date may change). Brittle Paper reported on the deal in this press release, and I can’t lie, I was so gassed when I came across the article. My face! On BrittlePaper! I won’t talk too much though, because heaven knows there’s much more work to be done and many more stories to write. So, for now, we say cheers, and then we get right back to work.
Happy new year, everyone!
-Akotz the Spider Kid 🕸️
The Spider Kid's Blog 