A Rising Voice in Speculative and Contemporary African Literature
Pemi Aguda is a Nigerian writer and architect known for her masterful blending of the supernatural with modern African experiences. Her stories explore themes of motherhood, identity, and tradition, often weaving eerie, unsettling narratives that linger in the reader’s mind.
Her debut collection, Ghostroots (2024), has been widely praised for its hauntingly beautiful prose and innovative storytelling. She has received multiple prestigious awards and is recognized as a leading voice in contemporary African literature.
📖 Notable Works by Pemi Aguda
Books
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Ghostroots – A stunning collection of short stories that explores the interplay between the mystical and everyday life in African settings.
🔗 Read more: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/ghostroots -
The Suicide Mothers – An upcoming novel that won the 2020 Deborah Rogers Foundation Award, set for release in 2025.
🔗 Read more: https://www.deborahrogersfoundation.org/2020-winner
📝 Short Stories
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Breastmilk – This gripping short story earned the prestigious O. Henry Award in 2022 and was shortlisted for the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing.
🔗 Read here: https://www.ohenryprizes.com/winners2022 -
The Hollow – Winner of the 2023 O. Henry Award, this chilling story showcases Aguda’s mastery of suspense and psychological depth.
🔗 Read here: https://www.ohenryprizes.com/winners2023
🎓 Education & Fellowships
Pemi Aguda grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and initially trained as an architect before pursuing an MFA in fiction from the Helen Zell Writers' Program at the University of Michigan. She has received several accolades and fellowships, including:
- Henfield Prize, Tyson Prize, and Hopwood Awards – Recognizing outstanding contributions to fiction writing.
- Clarion Workshop (2019) – A prestigious writing program that sharpened her speculative fiction storytelling.
🔗 Learn more: https://clarion.ucsd.edu - Aspen Words Emerging Writer Fellowship (2020) – Supporting new literary voices.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.aspenwords.org/programs/emerging-writer-fellowships - MacDowell Fellowship in Literature (2022) – Providing a creative residency for exceptional writers.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.macdowell.org/fellows
🏆 Awards & Recognitions
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Writivism Short Story Prize (2015) – Awarded for Caterer, Caterer, which helped establish her in the literary world.
🔗 Read about it: https://www.writivism.com -
Deborah Rogers Foundation Award (2020) – Won for The Suicide Mothers, a novel-in-progress that impressed literary critics.
🔗 Read about it: https://www.deborahrogersfoundation.org -
O. Henry Awards – Received in 2022 for Breastmilk and in 2023 for The Hollow, solidifying her place as a premier short fiction writer.
🔗 Read about the O. Henry Awards: https://www.ohenryprizes.com
🌎 Connect with Pemi Aguda
📢 Stay up to date with her work and upcoming publications:
- Website: https://www.pemiaguda.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pemiaguda
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pemiaguda