Just as I've been longing for some African Sun

This list of Wole Talabi’s top Ten(ish) favourite African speculative short fiction has loads of stories I've missed, so adding them to my reading now!

Many thanks to Wole Talabi (whose Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon I enjoyed muchly) for including Godskin on there, and for his lovely review.

“Lyrical, vivid and grounded writing in dark fantasy stories that have strong themes and frequently read like fairy tales for adults. “Godskin” is no exception.”

Not surprised to see work there from fantastic mags like Pyschopomp and FIYAH, but also lovely to see representation from smaller and new-to-me venues.

What I’m Writing

I’m deep in edits at the moment, about halfway through this round, and things are looking stronger (I hope!) so it’s getting more exciting now as I head closer to copyedits and proofing.

I’ve put a bit of a hold on shorts this year as I work on edits for Book 1 and 2, but I still have some things on sub, and next month I’ll have a look at what’s sitting around and needs to head out again on ye olde submission grinder.

What I’m Reading

I’m currently reading Cameron Johnston’s The Last Shield, which is a delightful anarchic medieval fantasy action novel. Imagine Die Hard, but with a grizzled battlemaiden who has had enough of everyone’s shit.

On the audio front, I’m listening to Heather Palmer’s Audible debut Deathbound. It’s a fun sapphic fantasy adventure, told in the alternating viewpoints of a spoiled princess who can hear the armies of the undead, and the squire sworn to protect her.

I also read a delightful short story yesterday. Normally I’m all about dark and cycnical and tragic, but every now and then I read story that has a positive slant about people (I know) and I reveal my cadbury creme goo interior.

On the Water Its Crystal Teeth By Marissa Lingen in Uncanny Issue 61 was one of those, so if you need a pick me up, there’s your cue: