Story Published in World Literature Today

WLT_Cover

I am psyched to announce the publication of my story “Home Affairs” in the magazine World Literature Today. Run by Oklahoma University, WLT has been in publication for some eighty-odd years and is a hotbed of exciting world literature. I’m slightly biased, but I think it’s the strongest publication of world literature in the US. So it’s a real honor!

The story follows a father and son as they attempt to navigate the labyrinth of the immigration system in South Africa. It is based on my experiences working and living in Cape Town. One of the themes is the stereotypes of Nigerians in South Africa — the same such stereotypes that appear in the film District 9.

I also wrote a book review of Ha Jin’s The Writer as Migrant in the same issue.

You can order the magazine here.

Or, you can link straight to the story free here for educational purposes.

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Monday Night Vinyl: Open DJ Session in Brooklyn

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You bring it, you spin it.

This is a great event that is held at the Bell House in Gowanus, Brooklyn every second Monday of the month.

Some lucky DJs have launched from this gig to land regular sessions around the city.

8/10/09
The Bell House [Frontier Room]
8pm-2am
FREE

Hosted by DJ Doppler

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Reading at Parapluie – July 30, 2009

I’ll be reading at the Parapluie Creative Series this Thursday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a cool event. If you’re in town, bring a poem, a story, or some music. Or just bring yourself and join us.

-D.O.

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Deji in New York: Update

cinderellas2

I realize that I hadn’t posted anything on this site for a while. The bulk of my time has been spent on my human rights review website, FictionthatMatters.org.

It has been a great few months.

- After collaborating with the PEN American Center, I covered some fantastic panels at the PEN World Voices Festival.
- I caught some groundbreaking performances and films by the inimitable DJ Spooky
- I gave a few readings around the city, especially at Parapluie Creative Series, an artistic event organized by Kristina Zacharias
- Short story coming out in September 2009 World Literature Today from my work-in-progress, Nigerians in Space
- non-fiction review coming out in World Literature Today
- covering the Premiere Brazil film festival at the MOMA
- enjoying the free summer concerts around the city
- I’ve broken ground on a graphic novel.

Anyway, hope to hear from you and I’ll keep you posted as new things unfold.

–D.O.

Photo from Cinderellas, Wolves, and a Prince Charming, screening at the Premier Brazil film festival

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Human Rights Watch Film Festival Reviews

HRW FF

The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival kicks off on June 11, 2009 in New York. There will be a number of exciting films from around the world.

I’ve been given press access for my website FictionThatMatters.org. Check it out for reviews of some of the best films to watch.

–Deji Olukotun

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