The new title of my forthcoming YA fantasy novel is...

...drum roll please...

Akata Witch

If you don't know what "akata" means: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akata

"Akátá is a word derived from the Yoruba people of West Africa and it simply means 'fox' [or bush animal:]. It is widely used loosely by African immigrants to the United States to describe African Americans and their descendants, and over time it has come to have derogatory connotations due to tensions between African immigrants and African Americans."

I might add that this word is also used for American Nigerians like me (born in the US to immagrant Nigerian parents). Yeah, I'm going there.

There is a definite reason why I chose this title (aside from the fact that I have always wanted to put this godawful word in the title of one of my novels). The tension between African Ameircans and African is indeed part of the book. As is deep deep Nigerian witchcraft.

Akata Witch is schduled for release in the Fall of 2010 from Penguin Books.

You can read a very early version of the first chapter on amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Albino-Girl.... It's titled Albino Girl.