Stephen Embleton's Blog, page 4

Africa Writes 2023 – The Sauútiverse

 

It was such a great venue at the British Library and an eager Africa Writes audience listening to Cheryl Ntumy, Wole Talabi, Jude Umeh and myself talk about the The Sauúti Collective and our awesome project. Great questions at the end (cutting many short as we were over time) ⏱️ And then some speaking to us afterwards — showing we have a good thing for everyone to join in on! 

A great Q&A

We spoke about The Sauúti Collective's nearly two-year journey beginning with Brittle Paper and Syllble to the Mothersound anthology (Android Press) coming soon and our project which is beyond what we imagined with people eager to read AND participate in its future. 

🪐✨🚀

My books!
Wole's book!
My book!
Desta Haile introducing
Jude and I on stage and getting ready
And we're off...
Fun after
The fantastic photography socials team!
Signing Bones & Runes is always special


Good chats, good food!
Juce Umeh
Signing Bones & Runes

We had fun

BSFA Fission #3 Cover Design

Front Cover Design
 

I was asked by fellow Sauúti collaborator, Eugen Bacon, to design the cover for the third volume of the British Science Fiction Association's (BSFA) Fission anthology. We both wanted to infuse it with our own African influences, and with my ongoing research on various African writing systems, I played with the forms from Nsibidi. The fact that Eugen and co-editor, Gene Rowe (who have put together a stellar volume of stories!) were willing to venture into a more graphic cover design idea is a testament to this entire anthology.

Full Cover Spread

Find out more about this volume and the contributing authors.

RELEASED: Languages of Water Anthology

 

This jam packed anthology, "Languages of Water", is available! 📚 Included is my short story 'Taking Turns'.

'Languages of Water was born out of an experiment to explore how a particular story, and the conversations around it, can inspire other stories in different contexts . . . it’s a curious document that illustrates how speculative fiction in general and the burgeoning field of clifi in particular can unite writers across borders to inspire open conversation, collaboration, and community – the same vital tools we need to fight the ongoing climate crisis.'

 –Archita Mittra, LOCUS MAGAZINE

#climatefiction #speculativefiction 

Available on Amazon and publisher MVMedia.

 

Cover Art by John Jennings

Languages of Water – a cross-lingual hybrid anthology

This was an interesting anthology to participate in and so glad I could contribute. And it’s finally here (nearly)! I thoroughly enjoyed the research I did for my short story ("Taking Turns").  

Thanks to Eugen Bacon for her work 👏🏼 in putting this together and Milton Davis and MVmedia for publishing!

With this lovely cover art by John Jennings. 

Featuring (in alphabetical order):

Aldegunda Matoyo, Alvin Pang, Andrew Hook, Audrey Chin, Cheng Tim Tim, Clara Chow, Clare Rhoden, David Carlin, Dominique Hecq, E. Don Harpe, Erin Latimer, Eugen Bacon, Francesca Rendle-Short, Jill Jones, Kyongmi Park, Nikki Bacon, Nuzo Onoh, Oz Hardwick, Pandora, Quyên Nguyễn-Hoàng, Ramya Jirasinghe, Rina Kikuchi, Seb Doubinsky, Stephen Embleton, Sudeep Chatterjee, Tamantha Smith, Zephyr Li.

Find out more on Eugen Bacon's blog and order here.

African Writing Systems Diagram Design

In conjunction with isibheqe.org.za this is a visual representation of various African writing systems Pule kaJanolinji and I have been working on for the past few months. A continuous work in progress. Visit their site for more information and links to the respective syllabary projects.

The map depicts the array of ancient and modern writing forms found all over the continent, and some show the branches of origins. 📜 👀 ❤️

It is included in Pule’s August 2023 presentation:
UBUCIKO BOKULOBA: African Writing Systems as Creative Cultural Technologies

Included here are:

1. Arabiese-Afrikaans
2. isiBheqe soHlamvu / Ditema tsa Dinoko
3. chiMbire
4. Mwangwego
5. Lusona
6. Mandombe
7. Ńdébé
8. Luo
9. Bamum
10. Adinkra
11. Vai
12. Osmanya
13. Wakandan
14. Nsibidi
15. Old Nubian
16. Ge’ez
17. Zaghawa
18. Adlam
19. N’ko
20. Proto-Sinaitic Script
21. Meroitic (derivative of Mdw Ntr)
22. Wadi el-Hol
23. Coptic*
24. *from Demotic
25. *from Hieratic
26. *from Mdw Ntr (Egyptian name for Hieroglyphs)
27. Tifinagh

Brittle Paper's 100 Writers Celebrate Ama Ata Aidoo’s Life and Work

The passing of Ama Ata Aidoo on May 31, 2023 at the age of 81 left the African literary world at a loss as we mourned a woman with a vast literary contribution, as well as her activism and willingness to engage and debate.

For us Africans, literature must serve a purpose: to expose, embarrass, and fight corruption and authoritarianism. It is understandable why the African artist is utilitarian. — Prof Ama Ata Aidoo

Brittle Paper gathered the thoughts of 100 African writers, including myself, to pay tribute to one of our African literary greats.

Africa’s writers and poets, duly revered by her people, should be elevated to the global stage for the world to hear/read and love. Prof Ama is one of those voices which has and will continue to ring out of our hearts and souls. We keep her voice alive. — Stephen Embleton 

Read the 100 here.

Rest In Peace Nick Wood

"Our friend, colleague and African SFF writer and supporter, Nick Wood, has passed away. We at the ASFS send his family our deep love and condolences as we all mourn the passing of someone who selflessly strove to promote, support and represent Africa on the world stage with dignity and enthusiasm, and with his smile that could light up the galaxy.

Your words live on, mfowethu.

Camagu / ǁGammāgu"

I wanted to pay tribute to this awesome human and African speculative fiction writer and supporter after his unexpected passing in June 2023. A digital illustration I hope captures the person we all love and respect.

Sauúti Anthology Cover Reveal

Android Press publicly revealed the cover design for the "Mothersound: The Sauúti Anthology" designed and illustrated by Akintoba (Toba) Kalejaye and myself. It was fun to add further layers to Toba's initial cosmic woman piece, and created the type-design for "Mothersound".

The anthology now moves into its crowdfunding phase with the November publication release!

The "Mothersound" Type-Design


After Toba's original cosmic woman creation, I added the additional layer enhancements (including the cityscape of Toba's)
[image error] Illustration Build Sequence

Jorge Luis Borges Illustration

As a fan of Jorge Luis Borges (his writing and the man), I felt compelled to illustrate him in black and white 🖊️📚 

Jorge Luis Borges – Stephen Embleton – 24 May 2023

I set out to do a pen and. ink drawing but soon realised a white on black technique would be more interesting. I used an old rolled ink background I did on paper in 2018, and in Photoshop, added the white illustrated brushwork. With limited physical resources on hand at the moment, digital is a great option for me. Knowing how real brushwork should look, means I can give a natural feel to the image.

Jorge Luis Borges – Stephen Embleton – Detail

#illustration  #inkillustration #borges #JorgeLuisBorges 

Jorge Luis Borges – Stephen Embleton – 24 May 2023 (FULL)
Prints available on Society6

Book Cover Design: The Good Nigerian (UK Edition)

 

"The Good Nigerian" by David Dison (2023)

It was a pleasure to be asked to design the UK edition cover for David Dison's successful "The Good Nigerian". Set in Joburg, I thought it fitting to contrast the colours and flowers of the Jacaranda trees, with the gritty cityscape, weapon and profile of a man uneasy with his surroundings. The textured title further emphasises the Nigerian (flag) connection.

FULL COVER: "The Good Nigerian" by David Dison (2023)

SFWA 2023 Nebula Sauúti Panel (Anaheim, California) – 12 May 2023

I was able to attend the 2023 Nebula Conference (Anaheim, California) as a virtual guest and have a great panel session with fellow Sauúti Collective members Eugen Bacon, Xan van Rooyen, Jude Umeh and Wole Talabi. 

SAUÚTI: AN AFRO-CENTRIC UNIVERSE

Fri, May 12, 2023 UK 9PM-10PM (Pacific 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM)Panelists: 

Eugen BaconStephen EmbletonXan van RooyenJude UmehWole Talabi (moderator)

The Sauútiverse is an African collective initiative, drawing from the Swahili word ‘sauti’ that means ‘voice’ to create a five-planet system orbiting a binary star. A world rooted deeply in a variety of African mythology, language, and culture. Sauúti weaves in an intricate magic system based on sound, oral traditions and music.

If you have access, watch the full panel chat here: https://events.sfwa.org/events/sauuti-an-afro-centric-universe/