Author of 'Butterfly Fish' on Nigerian literature and why "great writing should cause a shift, a reaction and a response"

Freelance arts project manager, writer and author of 'Butterfly Fish', Irenosen Okojie in an interview with the Ake festival team spoke about her writing, Nigerian literature and why "great writing should cause a shift, a reaction and a response".

Okojie was born in Nigeria and moved to England aged eight.

Irenosen Okojie, who quit the study of law to explore her passion for the arts and literature, has been published in Kwani literary magazine, Ether Books, Arcadia Books, Fiction Uncovered and Flipped Eye.

She was presented at the London Short Story Festival by Ben Okri as an exciting talent to watch and was featured in the Evening Standard Magazine as one of London’s most exciting new authors.

She is a regular contributor to the Guardian and the Observer, where she lends her support to writers from ethnic backgrounds.

Butterfly Fish is her first book, and her short story collection Speak Gigantular will be published by Jacaranda Books Art Music in September.

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