Chikodili Emelumadu
British-Nigerian speculative fiction writer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ, also spelled Chikodili Emelumadu, is a British Nigerian speculative fiction writer.
Chikodili Emelumadu | |
|---|---|
Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ | |
Chikodili Emelumadu speaking at Africa Writes Festival 2021 | |
| Education | |
| Writing career | |
| Genre | Speculative fiction |
| Notable work | Dazzling (2023) |
Early life and education
Emelumadu was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, and was raised in Awka, Nigeria.[1] She is of Igbo heritage.[2] Emelumadu was educated at two Nigerian boarding schools before attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University,[3] graduating with a BA in English language and literature.[4] She later returned to England in 2004 to study for a Master's degree in Cross Cultural Communication and International Relations at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, as well as a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Harlow College.[5]
Career
Emelumadu worked for some time as a journalist for BBC World Service before quitting at the age of 27 to pursue writing fiction full time.[5]
Emelumadu's short story "Candy Girl" was shortlisted for the Shirley Jackson Awards (2015).[6] Her work has also been shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing (2017 for "Bush Baby"[7] and 2020 for "What to do when your child brings home a Mami Wata"[8]), and a Nommo award (2020).[9] In 2019, she won the inaugural Curtis Brown First Novel prize for her manuscript entitled Dazzling, receiving a cash prize of £3,000 in addition to representation from Curtis Brown agency.[10] Dazzling was eventually published in 2023[11] and is praised for Emelumadu's use of "Igbo mythology, spirituality, and storytelling" in her writing.[12]
Emelumadu served as juror for the Shirley Jackson Awards in 2018 and 2020.[13]
Personal life
As of 2024, Emelumadu lives in Newhaven, East Sussex in England with her children.[4]
Selected bibliography
Novels
- Dazzling. Hachette UK. 2023. ISBN 978-1-0354-0207-6.
Short stories
- "Big School". Writers Mosaic. Royal Literary Fund. 2022.
- "Bush Baby". African Monsters. FS Books of Monsters. Fox Spirit. 2016. ISBN 978-1909348844.
- "Candy Girl". Apex Magazine. No. 66. 2014.
- "Sin Eater". Omenana Magazine. No. 13. 2019.
- "Soursop". Apex Magazine. No. 80. 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - "Story, Story: A tale of mothers and daughters". Omenana Magazine. No. 2. 2015.
- "What to do when your child brings home a Mami Wata" (PDF). The Shadow Booth. Vol. 2. 2018. ISBN 9781705427453. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
