Hello and welcome to After Five!
I’m Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of fantasy, science fiction and general speculative fiction. I’ve written a few books and stories for adults and younger readers. I’m also a professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Ottawa. After Five is me mulling over stuff both connected and unconnected to those two things.
The goal of this newsletter is simple: to connect with friends, readers, fans and peers by: (1) sharing writing and non-writing advice, ideas, tips & lessons; (2) offering behind-the-scenes info & updates on my work; (3) offering recommendations based on what I’m reading, listening to, watching or playing; and (4) offering readers an open, welcoming space to learn, share and interact.
Stick around for…
craft and non-craft how-to’s like the How to Author Like a Strategist series and On Fiction Genres and the Elements That Power Them;
monthly guest features from writers, readers and enthusiasts from historically marginalized communities, like Chovwe, Shingai, Tlotlo, Rafeeat and Akilah;
short essays and recommendation roundups including what I’m reading, watching, listening to or playing, plus news & events you may have missed;
general letters like Choose Your Own Privilege, 5 Tools That Make My Author Life Easier, or What to do when you don’t know what to do; and
annual exclusive Suyiverse Reports on what to expect from me each year.
Greatest hits include:
On fiction genres and the elements that power them: Part 1 & Part 2
The How to Author Like a Strategist series
The Story is Not Yours, by Shingai Njeri Kagunda