The actor and author wraps up his Nubia duology with this forthcoming title.
How much did other African-inspired storytelling likeBlack Pantherinspire your own work?
I’m very inspired by African storytelling in general.
Omar Epps; ‘Nubia: The Reckoning’.Collin Stark; Random House Children’s Books
I consider our ancient griots to be the pillars on which our modern literary world is built upon.
So there are subtle threads from the ancient storytellers that are naturally woven intoNubia.
Additionally, Nubia in the books has such rich history and cultural traditions.
How much did you draw on African traditions or folklore?
A fresh take, if you will, on things that may feel familiar.
Why was it important to you to make your central characters and heroes refugees?
Making the central characters inNubiarefugees was a prime focus because I wanted to explore the emotional realities of division.
Once they hit North America, they experience all sorts of hardship.
Sometimes it feels like YA dystopian fiction is the only way we actually discuss climate change.
Audiences knew you first as an actor.
How do those experiences influence your work as a writer?
My journey as an actor goes hand-in-hand with my journey as an author.
Do you think fans will be satisfied with the conclusion of the story?
In fact, I’m confident they’ll be.
And, super important, it has edge.
Would you ever spinoff and write other stories in this world?
ConsiderNubiato be a tree with myriad branches.
That said, there’s much more in store for fans ofNubia!
Beneath the castaway, the beach was coarse, his lacerated skin burning.
Sand raked his fingertips, filled his mouth.
He heard the easy lap of the water nearby.
He shifted his gaze, trying to discern the surrounding landscape.
The sand on the horizon was a brilliant gold even with overcast skies.
The castaway lifted his eyes slightly, barely making out the thick copse of palm trees dotting the horizon.
A hole opened in the castaway’s chest, an agonizing chasm of regret and grief.
As much as he wanted it to be, he knew this land wasn’t Nubia.
How many people had escaped?
Had his wife made it to safety?
“You must come now, or you’ll drown.”
Anything to get his stubborn sibling onto the boats to watch over their family.
He whispered a quick prayer for his pregnant wife as the small league disappeared on undulating waves.
But when he awoke, he was shocked to find that life still throbbed within his veins.
He was even more shocked to find that he was surrounded by floating debris.
A Nubian boat, he was sure, destroyed by the hurricane.
No survivors to be found.
He could barely stay awake, much less call forth his gift.
The man had felt the break in his heart that cracked and splintered through his entire being.
The splitting of his body, his mind .
My gift has vanished,the man thought.
He had no voice to cry for help, no strength to rise.
“Sleep, dear heart,” she would tell him.
“Sleep, and when you wake, you’ll find me in your arms.”
But that tenderness was gone.
That life, his beloved .
The tears came again.
Nubia, their paradise, their oasis, swept away, all because he hadn’t been good enough.
The drums of failure beat a sharp, staccato dirge in Siran’s mind.
And as he closed his eyes to welcome death, a bead of rain fell upon his cheek.
Text copyright 2023 by Omar Epps.
Cover art copyright 2023 by Adeyemi Adegbesan.
