Readers, Dreamers, Supporters,
There is so much to say after such a long period of silence, but I think the first and most sensible thing to say is THANK YOU. Thanks to you and to the universe, and to Unbound for letting me keep this project alive for so long.
In my last update, I spoke about a major upheaval, but I had no idea there were more to come. I mean, I sent my email to you on January 4, 2020 and the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020. Two months later, Covid-19 was declared a pandemic. How great is my timing for misfortune?! In the next year and a half after that, Covid spread its tentacles across everyone's life and I was not spared - I caught and recovered from Covid, but I also lost family members... and work. As much as THE CITY WILL LOVE YOU has lived with me, and as much as I love this book, crowdfunding was the furthest thing from my mind. Nevertheless, I was always buoyed by the idea of all of you still out here supporting me and I always intended to return and get this done.
The good news is, I have not been idle in the interim. While under lockdown in London, I got working on various projects - domestic and writing-related. I created an alphabet book for my first language, Ga - THE GA PICTURE ALPHABET - which was shortlisted for the Jhalak Children & YA Prize;
I completed a new collection of poems, THE GEEZ, which was published to critical acclaim by Peepal Tree Press (beautifully represented in the image on the left); and I recorded a number of acapella experiements that will be released at some point. The photograph that I sent in the last update became the cover for the project and one track, WHAT ALONE MEANS, a reflection out of a series of conversations with Angolan artist Nástio Mosquito, has been released. I have attached it here to say thank you for supporting me.
I am also sharing an eBook version of THE GEEZ for those of you who would like to read it. You will have to fill a google form to get it sent to you. The form is at: https://forms.gle/TNMa5JaCYYJcuE2e8
Please note that I will not be keeping anyone's email address; it is simply for delivery of the eBook and all the addresses will be deleted in 4 weeks when the form will also cease to be active, so if you want the book, please fill the form before four weeks have passed.
Oh, I also completed a novel, which will be announced shortly, and, OF COURSE, I am getting back on course with promoting THE CITY WILL LOVE YOU. I feel hugely optimistic because it feels like a brand new start, but instead of beginning at 0%, we're beginning at 52%! How many people get that kind of chance? And, yes, if you can't tell, my mental health is a lot better even in this very grey time! I hope you are all well too, and, again THANK YOU! Let's go and raise that 48%.
Sending Tropical Vibes,
Nii Ayikwei