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Start Over Genres panel discussion

1. Beyond Achebe & Adichie (1:15:00)

Date:
2023-03-04
Main contributors:
Katrina Spencer
Summary:
As part of the annual Southeast Regional Seminar in African Studies (SERSAS) at the University of Virginia, Librarian for African American & African Studies Katrina Spencer gathered three panelists who represent diverse stakeholding positions in the publication of African writers, particularly within “Western” markets. While Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart has received countless, deserved accolades and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s profile continues to rise, what other names should we know and what trends should we be looking out for in terms of African writing? Nigerian writer Kenechi Uzor has established Iskanchi Press & Magazine to recruit quality works from African creators. Nigerian author Ukamaka Olisakwe’s success has led her to become a screenwriter. And Northwestern University’s Herskovits Library worker Gene Kanneberg, Jr. is keeping his finger on the pulse of pop culture with his writing, “Wakanda as the Window to the Study of Africa,” in the collection Integrating Pop Culture into the Academic Library (Melissa Edmiston Johnson, editor). Each of these players is creating a pathway for the representation of Africa and Africans, and together the four discuss the points at which their missions converge and diverge. The recorded session is sourced from the original virtual Zoom meeting. The panelists made reference to a variety of opportunities, publishers, and publications in this recording. Below we provide a list of references for viewers’ convenience: Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies Research Grant (https://www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-collections/herskovits-library/herskovits-travel-grant.html) Iskanchi Press & Magazine (https://www.iskanchi.com/) Isele Magazine (https://iselemagazine.com/) Olongo Africa (https://olongoafrica.com/) The Enkare Review Pidgin English The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe In Such Tremendous Heat by Kehinde Fadipe An African Abroad by Olabisi Ajala After God is Dibia by John Anenechukwu Umeh Nsibidi (a writing system) africanpoetics.unl.edu Nnadozie Onyekuru Ajami manuscripts Chris Abani Bakassi Boys “Nigerian police detain goat over armed robbery” (https://www.reuters.com/article/oukoe-uk-nigeria-robbery-goat/nigerian-police-detain-goat-over-armed-robbery-idUKTRE50M4BM20090123)