After a hiatus that felt like forever, Saraba Magazine, which was founded in 2009 by Emmanuel Iduma and Dami Ajayi, is back. And it has done so in grand style, with a print issue titled Transitions. Slated for 2 October 2017, the issue features short fiction, reportage, travel writing, poetry, photography, and a lot more. If knowing that Saraba is about to make its way back to the top of your reading list is not enough, here are a few cool facts about the upcoming issue that should get you excited:

1. It Is Saraba’s First Ever Print Issue

Transitions will be Saraba’s debut in the print market. Previously confined to the digital space, the magazine is now branching out to make physical copies available. This is good news, of course, for the old-fashioned who prefer the natural feel of gloss and paper. This does not alienate the millennial audience, though, as digital copies will also be made available for purchase.

2. The Cover Art Is by a The New York Times Artist

The cover art is by the talented and industrious Ojima Abalaka, an illustrator and student of Law, whose artwork has appeared in The New York Times. This is a project handled by big names. And speaking of big names….

3. The Contributors’ List is Star-Studded

When you look at a literary magazine, you often consider the kind of audience it attracts as a mark of its relevance. Featuring 2014 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets winner Ladan Osman, 2016 Brunel Prize winner Gbenga Adesina, 2016 Short Story Day Africa Prize runner-up and 2017 Brittle Paper Award for Fiction finalist TJ Benson, and 2017 Brittle Paper Award for Essays/Think Pieces finalist Kola Tubosun, it is impossible to not marvel at its promise of quality.

4. It Contains an Interview with Ayobami Adebayo

Interviews are often great insights into the minds of great writers and we definitely do not mind getting to know more about Ayobami Adebayo, whose debut novel Stay With Me was shortlisted for the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction. Going by her The Paris Review interview, this too should be an enjoyable read.

5. It Will Be Launched Across the World

The issue will be supported by a five-city launch across the world: in Winnipeg, in London, in New York, in Abeokuta, and in Lagos. These launches will be in collaboration with Royal Africa Society, Africa Writes Society, Ake Book and Arts Festival, SOAS, Waterstones, and the MFA Art Writing program at the School of Visual Arts.

Below is a list of the first launch events and information about them:

  • London

In collaboration with the Royal Africa Society, Africa Writes Festival, and SOAS:

Monday 2nd October, 7:00 – 8:30pm, in the Khalili Lecture Theatre at SOAS, Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 0XG.

With Zahrah Nesbitt-Ahmed, Irenosen Okojie, Abiola Oni, Emmanuel Iduma, and Ayobami Adebayo.

  • Abeokuta

In collaboration with the Ake Book and Arts Festival:

Thursday 16th November, 1-2pm, at Arts and Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

  • London

In collaboration with Waterstones, Gower Street:

Friday 6th October, 2:15 – 3:15 pm, at the Great Magazine Weekend, 82 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6EQ.

With Emmanuel Iduma.

  • New York

In collaboration with the MFA Art Writing program:

Thursday 12 October, 6.30pm, at the School of Visual Arts, at 132 West 21 Street, New York.

With Dami Ajayi, Emmanuel Iduma, and Gbenga Adesina.

 

Visit Saraba for more information.

 

 

About the Reporter:

Kanyinsola Olorunnisola is a poet, essayist and fiction writer and founder of SPRINNG literary movement. He writes from Ibadan, Nigeria. His writings border on the themes of unease, racism, colonialism, terror and all things familiar to the black folk. He describes his art as that specialized literary alchemy which aims to extract beauty from the frail commonplaceness of words. His experimental works have appeared on such platforms as  TUCK Magazine, Brittle Paper, Kalahari Review, Bombay Review, Lunaris Review, African Writer,  Sprinng.org,  Authorpedia, ParousiaMagazine and Sampad International Journal. He was the 2016 recipient of the Albert Jungers Poetry Prize.