Chimamanda, Pius Adesanmi feature in new anthology of Nigerian poems and stories

Mace Books Associates Limited in Lagos and Treasure Books Limited in Bayelsa have released the revised edition of ‘Camouflage: Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria,’ an anthology.

The anthology, which was edited by Nduka Otiono and Odoh Diego Okenyodo, comes 15 years after the first edition was published in 2006.

The compilation prides itself as “a bridge between the third and fourth generation of Nigerian writers” and boasts some of the most important names in African literature today as contributors.

The 358-page mixed-genre work contains a total of 71 Nigerian writers including poets and short story writers.

Some of the contributors include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Helon Habila, Afam Akeh, Pius Adesanmi, Unoma Azuah, Chika Unigwe, Ahmed Maiwada, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, and Lola Shoneyin.

Others are E.E. Sule, Chiedu Ezeanah, Nengi and Bina Ilagha, Uche Nduka, Maik Nwosu, and Obi Nwakanma.

The present volume is close to the original version.

However, this edition features a new cover; a new short story, ‘The Fate of Yala Street’ by Ike Okonta; an updated notes on contributors, and additional editing for errors.

Some of its contributors have passed away, including Pius Adesanmi, Nike Adesuyi, Adolphus Amasiatu, Halima Lawal, and Simeon Chibiko Nwakaudu.

To celebrate the release, the editors and publishers outlined activities geared towards promoting the anthology.

The lined-up activities include online and physical book reading events, campus book tours, a special webinar to mark the release, and other marketing strategies intended to improve the readership of the anthology.

Nduka Otiono, the lead editor, said: “The high demand for copies of the anthology necessitated a reissue, fifteen years after the first publication. As you can see, many of the contributors have gone on to become literary stars and legends in their own rights.”