With Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu

Summary

Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu, who writes fiction under the pen name ‘MaziNwonwu’, is the co-founder and managing editor of Omenana, a web-based magazine that is hometo African speculative/sci-fi/magical realism/fantasy fiction. Inthis interview, Mazi Nwonwu talks about African SF: then, now, andthe future.

KU: Thank you, Mazi Nwonwu, for this interview. Inthe world of African speculative fiction, Omenana occupies a prime position as the resourcefor SF from all over Africa with over fifteen issues. Thank youto you and Chinelo Onwualu for contributing to the genre'sgrowth and spread since 2014. What inspired you and ChineloOnwualu to create the online literary magazine Omenana? Take usthrough the steps that led to creating the inauguraledition.

MN: As a fan of speculative fiction, I continuallyfelt under-represented in the field. I wanted to writedistinctly African speculative stories, but getting anyoneinterested enough to publish them was a struggle. Publishershere used to add a caveat that they won't accept science fictionand fantasy, and even some literary awards specifically said:‘don't submit if your work is speculative’. There was a need fora medium that will cater to the genre, and I was hoping someonewould do it. I remember speaking to the late Kenyan writerBinyavanga Wainaina (who was a big speculative fiction fan)about the need to have a magazine that will give writers likemyself a platform to write and publish the type of stories welike to read. I recall him asking me: ‘why don't you do it?’.During the 2012 edition of the Farafina Creative WritingWorkshop (where I met Binya), organized by Chimamanda Adichie,twelve of us produced a manuscript for an anthology we laternamed ‘It wasn't exactly Love’. Chinelo Onwualu was the editorwe hired to work on the collection. I wrote a futuristic story,and because she is also a speculative fiction fan and writer, weconnected. During one of our conversations, I told her I amplanning to set up a magazine that will focus on the genre. Shetold me she is very interested and will like to be a part of itwhen I go live. Aside from me having the initial idea, Chinelowent along for the ride.