Convergence Problems is a new short story collection from award-winning, Nebula-nominated Nigerian author Wole Talabi.

"A jaw-dropping collection....Beautiful, vibrant, and electrifying, this has the makings of a modern classic." —Publishers Weekly (starred review), and a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Spring 2024 Roundup pick "For fans of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian works and P. Djèlí Clark’s speculative fiction, Convergence Problems provides an Afrocentric sf narrative that is sure to captivate." — Raychel Bennet, Booklist (starred review) "Written with an emotional economy few storytellers can master....A fascinating and riveting exploration of what the future may hold—for better or worse." —KirkusFrom the Hugo, Nebula, Locus and Nommo award nominated author of Shigidi and The Brass Head Of Obalufon comes a stunning new collection of stories that investigate the rapidly changing role of technology and belief in our lives as we search for meaning, for knowledge, for justice; constantly converging on our future selves.In “An Arc of Electric Skin,” a roadside mechanic seeking justice volunteers to undergo a procedure that will increase the electrical conductivity of his skin by orders of magnitude. In “Blowout,” a woman races against time and a previously undocumented geological phenomenon to save her brother on the surface of Mars. In “Ganger,” a young woman trapped in a city run by machines must transfer her consciousness into an artificial body and find a way to give her lifepurpose. In “Debut,” Nairobi-based technical support engineer tries to understand what is happening when an AI art system begins malfunctioning in ways that could change the world.The sixteen stories of Convergence Problems, which include work published for the first time in this collection, rare stories, and recently acclaimed work, showcase Talabi at his creative best: playful and profound, exciting and experimental, always interesting.

The Nommo Award Winner.The Nebula Award Finalist.The World Fantasy Award Finalist.The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria, featuring Yoruba gods liberating an artefact from the depths of the British Museum.Shigidi is a disgruntled nightmare god in the Orisha spirit company, reluctantly answering the prayers of his few remaining believers to satisfy the demands of the company board. When he meets Nneoma, a sort-of succubus with a long and secretive past, everything changes.Together, they attempt to break free of their constraints and live on their owns terms. But the elder gods have other plans for Shigidi, and the Orisha Spirit Company is not so easy to leave. The chairman has a final job for Shigidi and Nneoma, one that will take them to the very heart of the British Museum.From the boisterous streets of Lagos to the rooftop bars of Singapore and the secret spaces of London, Shigidi and Nneoma will encounter strange creatures, rival gods and manipulative magicians as they are drawn into a spectacular heist that spans two realms . . . and which could turn their own worlds upside down . . .A magical heist novel featuring gods, monsters, magicians and more. This is a contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of P. Djeli Clark's A Master of Djinn and Neil Gaiman's American Gods.Here's what readers are saying:'A fast paced heist story with a Nigerian twist . . . It was super unputdownable''Such an interesting look into African mythology and different settings that you don't often see''I love the way this book splices together both Nigerian and British myths and legends''It has everything: a tricky heist, African gods and succubi, romance. It was just a fun story with interesting characters and great world building''It is a fantasy heist book like nothing I have ever read. If American Gods and Oceans 11 had a baby it would be this book''This was OH SO SULTRY. There's poly rep with so much African Mythology featuring a Nightmare god and Succubus in a way that very vaguely reminds me of an adult version of Strange the Dreamer''This book was so ambitious trying to cram as many African (and even non African!) mystical/religious elements as possible but I think it delivered!''Wow - what a ride! I learned much about Yoruba and orishas in this fantastical tale of Shigidi and Nneoma's adventures''A fascinating story that is based in Nigerian Yoruba traditional mythos, updated with a very modern twist'

The Nommo Award Winner.The Nebula Award Finalist.The World Fantasy Award Finalist.The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria.Shigidi is the god of nightmares.Once a feared and powerful member of the Yoruba spirit world, these days he haunts people for scraps of power, which he must give up to the executives of the Orisha Spirit Company.Nneoma is a deadly succubus.Fierce, independent and unpredictable, she's not afraid to take dangerous risks to free herself from the mistakes of her past.Two soulmates. One bid for freedom.To gain the independence they both desire, the two of them are about to embark on a heist that spans both the real world and the spiritual world. But they'll find far more than they bargained for in the depths of the British Museum . . .A supernatural adventure novel rich in Nigerian mythology, and an eviscerating examination of cultural theft in the real world. This is perfect for fans of P. Djeli Clark, Nnedi Okorafor and Ben Aaronovitch.

This is the third volume in this highly praised series (the first won the World Fantasy Award). Previous works have been praised for their eclectic mix of stories, offering a panorama of themes and styles. For instance, the 2021 edition included a story about a woman struggling with her identity and relationship in the face of a thought-recording device, a tale of a man fostering a rapidly evolving robot, and an adventurous narrative about a sentient robot dog engaging in space piracy. These stories not only explored advanced technologies and speculative scenarios but also delved deep into human emotions, relationships, and societal issues.Themes of personal struggles, such as dealing with depression, anxiety, and feelings of alienation, were also prominent. These were manifested through unique and powerful metaphors, like a woman whose detachable body parts symbolized her sense of disintegration and invisibility, or a story that portrayed the torment of self-contempt through the constant barrage of negative thoughts from imaginary entities.The anthology also ventured into mythic dimensions, echoing the voices and histories of entire cultures through concise yet profound storytelling. For example, flash fiction pieces in the collection reached the heights of epic poetry, encapsulating the journey of human life and cultural evolution.With such a backdrop, the 2023 volume continues this tradition of blending speculative elements with profound human experiences and cultural narratives. It's likely to feature stories that push the boundaries of imagination while staying grounded in the complexities of the human condition. Readers can anticipate a collection that entertains, provokes thought, and offers new perspectives on the future and the present. The anthology is not just a showcase of speculative fiction; it's a celebration of African storytelling, creativity, and the endless possibilities within the realm of speculative fiction.

Now in its nineteenth year the Caine Prize for African Writing is Africa's leading literary prize, and is awarded to a short story by an African writer published in English, whether in Africa or elsewhere. Kenyan writer Makena Onjerika has won the 2018 Caine Prize for her short story entitled "e;Fanta Blackcurrant"e;. This collection brings together the five 2018 shortlisted stories: American Dreamby Nonyelum Ekwempu (Nigeria) The Armed Letter Writersby Olofunke Ogundimu (Nigeria) Fanta Blackcurrant by Makena Onjerika (Kenya) Involution by Stacy Hardy (South Africa) Wednesday's Storyby Wole Talabi (Nigeria) It also includes 12 stories written at the Caine Prize Writers'Workshop, which took place in Rwanda in April 2018: No Ordinary Soiree by Paula Akugizibwe Tie Kidi by Awuor Onyango Calling the Clouds Home by Heran T. Abate America by Caroline Numuhire All Things Bright and Beautiful by Troy Onyango Departure by Nsah Mala Where Rivers Go to Die by Dilman Dila Ngozi by Bongani Sibanda The Weaving of Death by Lucky Grace Isingizwe Redemption Song by Arinze Ifeakandu Spaceman by Bongani Kona Grief is the Gift that Breaks the Spirit Open by Eloghosa Osunde

Convergence Problems is a new short story collection from award-winning, Nebula-nominated Nigerian author Wole Talabi.

"A jaw-dropping collection....Beautiful, vibrant, and electrifying, this has the makings of a modern classic." —Publishers Weekly (starred review), and a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Spring 2024 Roundup pick "For fans of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian works and P. Djèlí Clark’s speculative fiction, Convergence Problems provides an Afrocentric sf narrative that is sure to captivate." — Raychel Bennet, Booklist (starred review) "Written with an emotional economy few storytellers can master....A fascinating and riveting exploration of what the future may hold—for better or worse." —KirkusFrom the Hugo, Nebula, Locus and Nommo award nominated author of Shigidi and The Brass Head Of Obalufon comes a stunning new collection of stories that investigate the rapidly changing role of technology and belief in our lives as we search for meaning, for knowledge, for justice; constantly converging on our future selves.In “An Arc of Electric Skin,” a roadside mechanic seeking justice volunteers to undergo a procedure that will increase the electrical conductivity of his skin by orders of magnitude. In “Blowout,” a woman races against time and a previously undocumented geological phenomenon to save her brother on the surface of Mars. In “Ganger,” a young woman trapped in a city run by machines must transfer her consciousness into an artificial body and find a way to give her lifepurpose. In “Debut,” Nairobi-based technical support engineer tries to understand what is happening when an AI art system begins malfunctioning in ways that could change the world.The sixteen stories of Convergence Problems, which include work published for the first time in this collection, rare stories, and recently acclaimed work, showcase Talabi at his creative best: playful and profound, exciting and experimental, always interesting.

The Nommo Award Winner.The Nebula Award Finalist.The World Fantasy Award Finalist.The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria, featuring Yoruba gods liberating an artefact from the depths of the British Museum.Shigidi is a disgruntled nightmare god in the Orisha spirit company, reluctantly answering the prayers of his few remaining believers to satisfy the demands of the company board. When he meets Nneoma, a sort-of succubus with a long and secretive past, everything changes.Together, they attempt to break free of their constraints and live on their owns terms. But the elder gods have other plans for Shigidi, and the Orisha Spirit Company is not so easy to leave. The chairman has a final job for Shigidi and Nneoma, one that will take them to the very heart of the British Museum.From the boisterous streets of Lagos to the rooftop bars of Singapore and the secret spaces of London, Shigidi and Nneoma will encounter strange creatures, rival gods and manipulative magicians as they are drawn into a spectacular heist that spans two realms . . . and which could turn their own worlds upside down . . .A magical heist novel featuring gods, monsters, magicians and more. This is a contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of P. Djeli Clark's A Master of Djinn and Neil Gaiman's American Gods.Here's what readers are saying:'A fast paced heist story with a Nigerian twist . . . It was super unputdownable''Such an interesting look into African mythology and different settings that you don't often see''I love the way this book splices together both Nigerian and British myths and legends''It has everything: a tricky heist, African gods and succubi, romance. It was just a fun story with interesting characters and great world building''It is a fantasy heist book like nothing I have ever read. If American Gods and Oceans 11 had a baby it would be this book''This was OH SO SULTRY. There's poly rep with so much African Mythology featuring a Nightmare god and Succubus in a way that very vaguely reminds me of an adult version of Strange the Dreamer''This book was so ambitious trying to cram as many African (and even non African!) mystical/religious elements as possible but I think it delivered!''Wow - what a ride! I learned much about Yoruba and orishas in this fantastical tale of Shigidi and Nneoma's adventures''A fascinating story that is based in Nigerian Yoruba traditional mythos, updated with a very modern twist'

The Nommo Award Winner.The Nebula Award Finalist.The World Fantasy Award Finalist.The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria.Shigidi is the god of nightmares.Once a feared and powerful member of the Yoruba spirit world, these days he haunts people for scraps of power, which he must give up to the executives of the Orisha Spirit Company.Nneoma is a deadly succubus.Fierce, independent and unpredictable, she's not afraid to take dangerous risks to free herself from the mistakes of her past.Two soulmates. One bid for freedom.To gain the independence they both desire, the two of them are about to embark on a heist that spans both the real world and the spiritual world. But they'll find far more than they bargained for in the depths of the British Museum . . .A supernatural adventure novel rich in Nigerian mythology, and an eviscerating examination of cultural theft in the real world. This is perfect for fans of P. Djeli Clark, Nnedi Okorafor and Ben Aaronovitch.

This is the third volume in this highly praised series (the first won the World Fantasy Award). Previous works have been praised for their eclectic mix of stories, offering a panorama of themes and styles. For instance, the 2021 edition included a story about a woman struggling with her identity and relationship in the face of a thought-recording device, a tale of a man fostering a rapidly evolving robot, and an adventurous narrative about a sentient robot dog engaging in space piracy. These stories not only explored advanced technologies and speculative scenarios but also delved deep into human emotions, relationships, and societal issues.Themes of personal struggles, such as dealing with depression, anxiety, and feelings of alienation, were also prominent. These were manifested through unique and powerful metaphors, like a woman whose detachable body parts symbolized her sense of disintegration and invisibility, or a story that portrayed the torment of self-contempt through the constant barrage of negative thoughts from imaginary entities.The anthology also ventured into mythic dimensions, echoing the voices and histories of entire cultures through concise yet profound storytelling. For example, flash fiction pieces in the collection reached the heights of epic poetry, encapsulating the journey of human life and cultural evolution.With such a backdrop, the 2023 volume continues this tradition of blending speculative elements with profound human experiences and cultural narratives. It's likely to feature stories that push the boundaries of imagination while staying grounded in the complexities of the human condition. Readers can anticipate a collection that entertains, provokes thought, and offers new perspectives on the future and the present. The anthology is not just a showcase of speculative fiction; it's a celebration of African storytelling, creativity, and the endless possibilities within the realm of speculative fiction.

Now in its nineteenth year the Caine Prize for African Writing is Africa's leading literary prize, and is awarded to a short story by an African writer published in English, whether in Africa or elsewhere. Kenyan writer Makena Onjerika has won the 2018 Caine Prize for her short story entitled "e;Fanta Blackcurrant"e;. This collection brings together the five 2018 shortlisted stories: American Dreamby Nonyelum Ekwempu (Nigeria) The Armed Letter Writersby Olofunke Ogundimu (Nigeria) Fanta Blackcurrant by Makena Onjerika (Kenya) Involution by Stacy Hardy (South Africa) Wednesday's Storyby Wole Talabi (Nigeria) It also includes 12 stories written at the Caine Prize Writers'Workshop, which took place in Rwanda in April 2018: No Ordinary Soiree by Paula Akugizibwe Tie Kidi by Awuor Onyango Calling the Clouds Home by Heran T. Abate America by Caroline Numuhire All Things Bright and Beautiful by Troy Onyango Departure by Nsah Mala Where Rivers Go to Die by Dilman Dila Ngozi by Bongani Sibanda The Weaving of Death by Lucky Grace Isingizwe Redemption Song by Arinze Ifeakandu Spaceman by Bongani Kona Grief is the Gift that Breaks the Spirit Open by Eloghosa Osunde