A conversation with Othuke Ominiabohs, the author with the magic touch

I first met Othuke Ominiabohs while he was promoting his debut novel Odufa, we struck up some sort of Friendship and whenever he drops into my city of Portharcourt we find time to grab a cold beer and asun (even though he cannot hold a drink lol).

What struck me about him was his complete unassuming nature and absolute lack of intellectual arrogance that some writers have.

He also loves criticism and listens while you tell him things you did not like about anything he had written.

He was in Portharcourt again recently while promoting his new novel and he graciously agreed to answer a few questions for me. So here goes my interview with him;

On his new book released some few days back:

‎It's a thriller titled, A Conspiracy of Ravens and it is basically about the Niger Delta, terrorism and a spillover from the Nigerian Civil War.

When he was asked how he was able to finish and put forward another book just within a year:

I don't think writing two books in one year is enough for one to be called a prolific writer. But I definitely hope to produce a new work as often as I can, and maybe someday I'll be bold enough to accept that label without feeling a lump in my throat. Maybe after twenty books.

Reactions to his debut book and what he learned from the experience:

There were divergent reactions for Odufa. Most readers were able to connect with the plot and characters. In all, a high number of readers loved it and only a handful had reservations. The major lesson I learnt from that first experience was that Nigerians actually buy and read books if only they are made aware of the existence of such books, and if the books are readily available at affordable prices. I also realized that distribution was a major challenge in the industry.

Sequel to his debut Odufa:

I guess I wasn't ready with the second part of Odufa, as it involves double the emotional commitment of the first volume. Then again, both books are like buttons from the same shirt. I wanted to give my readers a different taste of my work; something new. And I think I have been able to achieve that with "A Conspiracy of Ravens".

Echoing his earlier thoughts, Ominiabohs adds that the second part of Odufa is coming soon:

The second part of Odufa; however should be in bookstores by the later part of 2017 or early 2018. I'll convey the exact release date as soon as I'm certain of it.

A Conspiracy of Ravens is available at leading bookstores across Nigeria and online at konga, Jumia, Dookshop, Amazon and iTunes.

Franklyne Ikediasor is partial to black coffee and a good African Novel. He lives in Portharcourt Nigeria where he spends his leisure time running, cycling or getting together with friends to share bouts of wine fuelled laughter. He tweets @ThatPortharcourtBoy

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