Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Last updated
Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Okungbowa at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix, AZ (2020).jpg
Okungbowa at Changing Hands bookstore in Phoenix, Arizona. February 2020.
Born
Osasuyi Okungbowa

1989 (age 33–34)
Benin City, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Alma mater University of Benin; University of Arizona
OccupationAuthor & Scholar
Years active2015-present
Known forAfrican speculative fiction
Notable work Son of the Storm; David Mogo, Godhunter; Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda; Stranger Things: Lucas on the Line
Awards Nommo Award for Best Speculative Novel
Website suyidavies.com

Suyi Davies Okungbowa (born Osasuyi Okungbowa in 1989) is a Nigerian fantasy, science fiction and speculative writer and academic. He is the author of various novels, including The Nameless Republic epic fantasy trilogy, beginning with Son of the Storm (Orbit, May 2021). His debut was the godpunk fantasy novel, David Mogo, Godhunter (Abaddon, July 2019). He has also written works for younger readers under the author name Suyi Davies, including Minecraft: The Haven Trials . His work is heavily influenced by the histories and cultures of West Africa and Nigeria, and discusses themes of identity, challenging difference and finding home. WIRED referred to him as "one of the most promising new voices coterie of African SFF writers." [1] He is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Ottawa.

Contents

Early life

Okungbowa was born and raised in Benin City, Edo State in the southern part of Nigeria. His early life orbited the University of Benin, after which he went on to obtain a bachelor's in civil engineering from the same university between 2006 and 2011. He later moved to Lagos, then went on to study at the University of Arizona in Tucson for an MFA in creative writing. [2]

Personal life

Okungbowa currently lives and works in Ottawa, Canada. [3] Prior to that, he spent time in the U.S., the U.K. and in various cities in Nigeria. He has also worked in various fields, from engineering to professional services to marketing communications to digital learning. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Ottawa in Ontario. He is married.

David Mogo, Godhunter (Abaddon, 2019)

Okungbowa's debut novel, David Mogo, Godhunter was released by the Abaddon imprint of Rebellion Publishing on July 9, 2019 in the US and two days later in the UK and Europe. The novel follows the titular demigod, who is also a god hunter, as he scours the streets of Okungbowa's native Lagos, Nigeria, in the aftermath of an event called The Falling where thousands of orishas have fallen to the city.

The novel received good reception, with venues like WIRED commenting that, "a number of books have been termed 'godpunk,' but Suyi Davies Okungbowa's novel may be the subgenre's platonic deific ideal," [4] while Publishers Weekly mentioned that "this story is captivating, and readers who enjoy non-Western fantasy, mythpunk, and tales of found family will find it delightful." [5] However, there were critical mentions of the story structure, which was a novel in three parts, almost akin to a collection of novellas (F(r)iction's Giancarlo Riccobon called it "three books for the price of one" [6] ) and the treatment of some of the minor characters. But overall, the consensus was that the authorial voice was fresh and welcome, especially in a white-dominated sub-genre.

"American urban fantasy, like any established genre, can get predictable," L.E.H Light of BlackNerdProblems said in a lengthy, favourable review. [7] "David Mogo, Godhunter is anything but."

In October 2020, David Mogo, Godhunter was announced as the winner of the 2020 Nommo Award for Best Speculative Novel by an African (the Ilube Award). [8]

The Nameless Republic trilogy (Orbit, 2021-present)

In January 2020, Orbit Books (a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group, USA and Little, Brown UK) announced the acquisition of "an incredible new epic fantasy series" from Okungbowa. They referred to The Nameless Republic as "an evocative tale of myth and magic [that] invites readers into a rich and vibrant world inspired by West-African empires." [9] Okungbowa himself commented: "This series is my love letter to all of us who know the magic that makes West-Africa tick–the lore and music, the harmattan and petrichor, the jollof rice and fried plantain." [10]

Son of the Storm

The first book in the trilogy, Son of the Storm , was released in May 2021, to mostly positive acclaim. NPR Books said of it: "Okungbowa's control of power, relationships, plot twists, and politics throughout gets high marks." [11] Library Journal, which gave the novel a starred review, highly recommended it for "fans of epic fantasy based on non-European mythologies...readers who enjoy protagonists on troubled journeys...or anyone who likes to chew on stories with complex shenanigans." [12] Tor.com's Alex Brown said it was "epic fantasy that breaks the rules," [13] praising Okungbowa's worldbuilding and attention to detail. Publishers Weekly called it a "series starter [that] promises more good things to come." [14]

Warrior of the Wind

The second novel in the trilogy was published November 2023. [15] It has so far received rave reviews, including a starred review from Kirkus, who called it "broad and imaginative in scope." [16]

Lost Ark Dreaming (Tordotcom Publishing, 2024)

Tordotcom Publishing announced the publication of Okungbowa's first novella, Lost Ark Dreaming, set for publication on May 21, 2024. [17] Okungbowa described the science fiction novella as "my attempt to examine the pathways to healing and restoration of land and people, embracing both advanced technologies and indigenous practices."

Other works

Okungbowa also writes for young audiences under the author name Suyi Davies, disclosing that he "decided to separate my works for younger audiences from my work for adult audiences in this way." [3] His first full-length work for younger audiences is the middle-grade novel, Minecraft: The Haven Trials. Prior to this, he published shorter works in collections like Black Boy Joy.

He has a YA novel about Stranger Things character Lucas Sinclair called Lucas on the Line coming out on July 26, 2022. [18]

As an academic, Okungbowa has also published various papers and essays of a scholarly nature.

Partial bibliography

Novels & Novellas

Selected short work

Related Research Articles

David Zindell is an American writer known for science fiction and fantasy epics.

Kate Elliott is the pen name of American fantasy and science fiction writer Alis A. Rasmussen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nnedi Okorafor</span> Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy

Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor is a Nigerian American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. She is best known for her Binti Series and her novels Who Fears Death, Zahrah the Windseeker, Akata Witch, Akata Warrior, Lagoon and Remote Control. She has also written for comics and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black science fiction</span> Science fiction involving black people

Black science fiction or black speculative fiction is an umbrella term that covers a variety of activities within the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres where people of the African diaspora take part or are depicted. Some of its defining characteristics include a critique of the social structures leading to black oppression paired with an investment in social change. Black science fiction is "fed by technology but not led by it." This means that black science fiction often explores with human engagement with technology instead of technology as an innate good.

<i>Binti</i> (novella) 2015 science fiction novella by Nnedi Okorafor

Binti is an Africanfuturist science fiction horror novella written by Nnedi Okorafor. The novella was published in 2015 by Tor.com. Binti is the first novella in Okorafor's Binti novella series.

Fonda Lee is a Canadian-American author of speculative fiction. She is best known for writing The Green Bone Saga, the first of which, Jade City, won the 2018 World Fantasy Award and was named one of the 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time by Time magazine. The Green Bone Saga was also included on NPR's list, "50 Favorite Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the Past Decade".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nommo Award</span> African literary award

The Nommo Award is a literary award presented by The African Speculative Fiction Society. The award is named after the Nommo. The awards recognize works of speculative fiction by Africans, defined as "science fiction, fantasy, stories of magic and traditional belief, alternative histories, horror and strange stuff that might not fit in anywhere else." The Nommo Awards have four categories: Best Novel, Novella, Short Story, and Graphic Novel.

Africanfuturism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy of science that centers on the fusion of African culture, history, mythology, point of view, with technology based in Africa and not limiting to the diaspora. It was coined by Nigerian American writer Nnedi Okorafor in 2019 in a blog post as a single word. Nnedi Okorafor defines Africanfuturism as a sub-category of science fiction that is "directly rooted in African culture, history, mythology and point-of-view..and...does not privilege or center the West," is centered with optimistic "visions in the future," and is written by "people of African descent" while rooted in the African continent. As such its center is African, often does extend upon the continent of Africa, and includes the Black diaspora, including fantasy that is set in the future, making a narrative "more science fiction than fantasy" and typically has mystical elements. It is different from Afrofuturism, which focuses mainly on the African diaspora, particularly the United States. Works of Africanfuturism include science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror and magic realism.

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki or Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald is a Nigerian speculative fiction writer, editor and publisher who is the first African-born Black author to win a Nebula Award. He's also received a World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, Otherwise Award, and two Nommo Awards along with being a multi-time finalist for a number of other honors including the Hugo Award.

<i>Rosewater</i> (Thompson novel) 2016 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson

Rosewater is a 2016 science fiction novel by Nigerian-British writer Tade Thompson. In Rosewater, Nigerian agent Kaaro uses his psychic powers to investigate a mysterious alien dome and deaths linked to it. It was followed by two sequels: The Rosewater Insurrection and The Rosewater Redemption which were published in 2019 simultaneously. The novel won the inaugural Nommo Award as well as the 2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award.

David Mogo, Godhunter is the debut novel of Nigerian writer Suyi Davies Okungbowa. It was released by Abaddon Books, an imprint of Rebellion Publishing in Oxford, UK on July 9, 2019 in the US and two days later in the UK and Europe.

<i>Beasts Made of Night</i> 2017 fantasy novel by Tochi Onyebuchi

Beast Made of Night is a 2017 young adult fantasy novel by Nigerian-American novelist Tochi Onyebuchi. It is the first book in a duology set in a magical world inspired by Nigeria.

<i>Riot Baby</i> 2020 adult novella by Tochi Onyebuchi

Riot Baby is a science fiction novella written by Nigerian-American author Tochi Onyebuchi published in 2020.

<i>Son of the Storm</i> 2021 novel by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Son of the Storm is a 2021 novel by Nigerian author Suyi Davies Okungbowa.

Chinelo Onwualu is a Nigerian editor and a speculative fiction writer. She is the co-founder and previous editor-in-chief of Omenana Magazine. She is also co-editor at Anathema Magazine.

Ife-Iyoku, the Tale of Imadeyunuagbon is a fantasy novella by Nigerian speculative fiction writer Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. It was first published Selene Quarterly in August 2019, and republished in Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction From Africa and the African Diaspora anthology which was published by Aurelia Leo in 2020. The novella received critical reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Generation of Nigerian Writers</span> Modern Nigerian literature classification

The Third Generation of Nigeria Writers is an emerging phase of Nigerian literature, in which there is a major shift in both the method of publishing and the themes explored. This set of writers are known for writing post-independence novels and poems. This generation is believed to be influenced by the western world, politics and the preceding generation of Mbari Club writers, Flora Nwapa and Buchi Emecheta. The emergence of the third generation of Nigerian writers has changed the publishing sector with a resurgence of new publishing firms such as Kachifo Limited, Parrésia Publishers, Cassava Republic Press and Farafina Books. These new writers create new genres and methods that deal with racism, class, abuse and violence.

<i>Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction From Africa and the African Diaspora</i> 2020 speculative fiction anthology

Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction From Africa and the African Diaspora is a 2020 speculative fiction anthology edited by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and Zelda Knight. It contains thirteen works of short fiction, and a foreword by Tananarive Due. It was first published by Aurelia Leo in 2020.

Cherae Clark, also known under the pen name C. L. Clark, is an American author and editor of speculative fiction, a personal trainer, and an English teacher. She graduated from Indiana University's creative writing MFA and was a 2012 Lambda Literary Fellow. Their debut novel, The Unbroken, first book of the Magic of the Lost trilogy, was published by Orbit Books in 2021 and received critical acclaim, including starred reviews at Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. The Unbroken was a Finalist for the 2021 Nebula Award for Best Novel, the 2022 Robert Holdstock Award for Best Fantasy Novel from the British Fantasy Awards, the 2022 Ignyte Award for Best Novel - Adult, and the 2022 Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her work has appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies,FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, Glitter + Ashes: Queer Tales of a World That Wouldn't Die, PodCastle, Tor.com, Uncanny, and The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021). Clark edited, with series editor Charles Payseur, We're Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction of 2020, which won the 2022 Ignyte Award for Best Anthology/Collected Work and the 2022 Locus Award for Best Anthology.

Temi Oh is a British science fiction author, screenwriter, and neuroscientist. Her debut novel, Do You Dream of Terra-Two?, received the 2020 Alex Award. Her second novel, More Perfect, was published in 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "WIRED's 14 Must-Read Books of Summer". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  2. ↑ "Interview with SUYI DAVIES OKUNGBOWA". Civilian Reader. 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  3. 1 2 Okungbowa, Suyi Davies. "What to expect from me in 2021: Part 2". suyi.substack.com. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  4. ↑ "WIRED's 14 Must-Read Books of Summer". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  5. ↑ "Fiction Review: David Mogo, Godhunter". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  6. ↑ "Three Books for the Price of One: A Review of David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa – F(r)iction". frictionlit.org. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  7. ↑ Editor/Reviewer, L. E. H. Light (2019-07-30). "'David Mogo, Godhunter': African Urban Fantasy and the Gods Among Us". Black Nerd Problems. Retrieved 2019-10-07.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. 1 2 locusmag (2020-10-26). "2020 Nommo Awards Winners". Locus Online. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  9. ↑ Evans, Nivia (2020-01-16). "Acquisition Announcement: THE NAMELESS REPUBLIC by Suyi Davies Okungbowa". Orbit Books. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  10. ↑ "Suyi Davies Okungbowa". The Republic. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  11. 1 2 "'Son Of The Storm' Explores Power And Its Transformations". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  12. ↑ Davies, Okungbowa, Suyi. "Son of the Storm". Library Journal. Retrieved 2021-08-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ Brown, Alex (2021-05-18). "Book Review: Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa". Tor.com. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  14. ↑ "Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Book Review: Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa. Orbit, $16.99 trade paper (480p) ISBN 978-0-316-42894-1". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  15. 1 2 "2022 Award Eligibility Post and Year In Review". Suyi Davies Okungbowa. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  16. ↑ WARRIOR OF THE WIND | Kirkus Reviews.
  17. 1 2 Tor.com (2023-03-14). "The Water That Divides: Announcing Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa". Tor.com. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  18. 1 2 "Lucas Sinclair is telling his own story in his own words.Kicking off where Season 3 left off Lucas On The Line, a brand new Stranger Things novel from @suyidavies, drops July 26". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Minecraft: The Haven Trials by Suyi Davies: 9780593355756 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  20. ↑ Okungbowa, Suyi Davies (2019-07-09). David Mogo, Godhunter. ISBN   9781781086490.
  21. ↑ Okungbowa, Suyi Davies (20 June 2023). "Lady Koi-Koi: A Book Report". Apex Magazine. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  22. ↑ Onwualu, Chinelo, ed. (2023). Ex Marginalia: Essays from the edges of speculative fiction. Hydra House. pp. 153–160. ISBN   9781957898001.
  23. ↑ Okungbowa, Suyi Davies (2022-09-14). "Choke". Tor.com. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  24. ↑ "Professor Charlatan Bardot's Travel Anthology..." www.darkmoonbooks.com. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.