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Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is a Ugandan novelist and short story Writer based in Manchester where she teaches Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her latest novel is ‘Kintu’ (One World), a book that she wrote in the spirit of the oral traditions and myths of her native Uganda. Jennifer also explains why she believes the historical novel can often be more powerful than a factual account.   

Ekow Eshun is a writer and broadcaster, and the author of the memoir ‘Black Gold of The Sun’. Ekow explains why he thinks the Afrofuturist movement is flourishing, arguing that the mainstreaming of Science Fiction narratives meeting the traditionally ‘othered’ African perspective allows for unique creative possibilities.

Maaza Mengiste is an Ethiopian-American Writer based in Zurich, the author of ‘Beneath the Lion’s Gaze’, and her latest book ‘The Shadow King’ (Cannongate), a book inspired by the experiences of the African women who fought as soldiers during the 1935 Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Maaza explains how her writing of violence in the book was influenced by Greek Tragedy, particularly The Iliad.  

Ellah Wakatama is Editor at Large at Cannongate and Chair of the Caine Prize for African Writing. Ellah explains what she is looking for as an editor of fiction, and she she is particularly passionate about writing from and about Africa that tells new stories about the colonial record.