Hello you,
I haven’t written here in a while, I know. We all know what time has been. But the good news is: I have a littlebig surprise to share with you at the end of this letter! I hope you’re in a good place, reading this. If not, I hope you’re being held through it. I hope you remember that there are other places beyond the tough rock you’re standing on. You’ve been in better places before, so they exist. If they exist, you can go back. It’s only a matter of time.
Me, I’ve been changing my mind faster than I can keep up with. I’ve been listening to lots of music (as usual) and playlisting. I want to share more of that soon. I’ve been reading and writing when I can, sleeping a lot when I can't. Journaling and meditating too. I’ve been sharing my thoughts more slowly than I usually would and that has been heartsaving, especially because many aspects of my identity I thought were set in stone were actually just well-drawn in sand. What a relief to be able to change my mind about what I am (no longer). I love remembering that this is possible.
So much has happened since I last wrote you. On the personal side, I’m still processing a lot. But work wise, here are some updates:
The Paris Review published my short story GOOD BOY, which you can find here. That story then went on to win the Plimpton Prize for Fiction. My non-fiction (on time, art and the senses) has been going to MELTING CLOCKS, my new(?) column at the Paris Review. I’m about three essays deep at the moment and you can find the most recent one here; it’s called ‘& Other Stories’ and mentions some of the art I’ve been thinking about, and why.
My short story GOLD is out with Guernica Magazine, my short story RAIN is online now with Catapult, here and another short story THERE IS LOVE AT HOME was published by Gulf Coast Journal.
Last time I wrote, I told you that VAGABONDS! will be published by Riverhead Books. That’s still true. You already know the timing shifted, but there’s more: 1) It will also be published in Nigeria by Farafina Books! 2) Something absolutely magical happened after the Riverhead announcement. My book went into a four-publisher auction in the UK, which was won by 4th Estate Books!!! So VAGABONDS! will now be published in March 2022 in a coordinated campaign between these two publishers. 3) The official birthday for the US edition is March 15th 2022!!! Save the date. More details on the UK and NG release dates soon. 4) You can now PREORDER the book (and see the full synopsis) here. Please do go through with the preorder if you can and/or share the link with whoever you think might be interested in this story. Because preorders contribute heavily to the success of the book, this is the best way to support me right now. The next best is to share, share, share!
And now for the big reveal, HERE IS THE COVER FOR THE US EDITION BELOW:
AUYSBKJSBKKJDBKBKJD!!!!!
I’ve been buzzing since I saw this for the first time! That glorious explosion of colour set against the deep purple/sure black? Amen. Nothing I could have imagined compares to what it turned out to be. Khari Turner’s work has been deeply resonant for me since the first time I saw it so it felt/feels surreal to look at this cover and *recognise* it now as the official skin of my debut. It’s the exact right match for the stories inside & I just-
This is a huge moment for me & I’m still speechless, ngl.
Anyway, if you don’t follow the artist’s work just yet, please do because Khari is incredible.
And now I just want to say thank you soooo much for sharing this joy with me! The next few months are about to be wild leading up to this book’s release (I already have so much more to tell you!) and it means the world to be able to do this with your support. I share the cover publicly at 3pm today, so feel free to come join in on Instagram or Twitter [@eloosunde if you’re not there already]!
Until the next time I write here, I’m wishing you sustained ease and whatever else your heart needs right now,
Eloghosa xxx
Thank you for this.