Totally Booked with Zibby - Episode Featuring Ihioma Nwachu: "Japa and Other Stories"
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Nigerian-American author Ihioma Nwachu to discuss his acclaimed short story collection, "Japa and Other Stories." The conversation delves deep into Ihioma's journey from Nigeria to the United States, the inspirations behind his writing, and the meticulous process of crafting a thematically linked collection of short stories.
Ihioma Nwachu’s Background
Zibby Owens begins by introducing Ihioma, highlighting his upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria, his professional stint as a Chinese herbal medicine salesman, and his transition to academia in the United States. Ihioma's impressive literary credentials include publications in prestigious journals such as Interlocale Electric Literature, The Southern Review, and The Iowa Review, along with a Pushcart Prize special mention and a Best American Short Story accolade.
Notable Quote:
"Iheoma is working on a novel and a short story collection. He is an assistant professor at Eastern University."
— Zibby Owens [03:00]
The Journey to Recognition
Ihioma recounts the surprising and unexpected recognition his collection received. Initially skeptical of the notification, fearing it might be a scam, he soon realized the legitimacy when Lori Olson, the editor of Fiery Corner, confirmed the news.
Notable Quote:
"I was in my basement right now. I was writing and I looked over the notification on my phone. It said, and I'm like, okay, a scam."
— Ihioma Nwachu [04:00]
Despite limited initial buzz and the absence of significant promotional support from UGA Press, the collection began gaining traction, marking a monumental shift in Ihioma's literary career.
Crafting "Japa and Other Stories"
Zibby Owens inquires about the inspiration and backstory behind the collection. Ihioma draws parallels to Arkin Orion's "Malays," a collection set in the fictional town of Malgudi, by creating a similar fictional setting within Nigeria.
Notable Quote:
"The whole collection was trying to do an arcane Orion. The inspiration for these stories, of course, was my experience in the U.S."
— Ihioma Nwachu [07:00]
He emphasizes his reluctance to create linked collections, attributing this decision to an inner calling that indicated it was time to explore this narrative structure. The process involved writing stories, arranging them thoughtfully, and making tough decisions to ensure thematic cohesion.
Notable Quote:
"Some stories were really hard to take out of the collection because I love them, but they just weren't doing anything—they did not belong."
— Ihioma Nwachu [08:50]
Overcoming Challenges in Publishing
Ihioma discusses his struggles with publishing, including parting ways with his initial agent and taking the bold step to self-publish. The determination to maintain the integrity of his collection led him to personally curate and finalize the order of the stories, despite having some published works that didn’t fit the thematic narrative.
Notable Quote:
"I walked past the wall, looked at them for three months, and decided which ones belonged."
— Ihioma Nwachu [09:30]
Personal Journey and Writing Process
The conversation shifts to Ihioma's personal journey from a biochemistry graduate, pressured by familial expectations to pursue medicine, to embracing his passion for writing. Despite excelling academically, the lack of job opportunities steered him toward the literary path.
Notable Quote:
"I couldn't find a job because I guess my destiny was to be a writer. If I had found a job, I might not have ended up writing fiction."
— Ihioma Nwachu [11:40]
Ihioma elaborates on his writing habits, which evolved over time to accommodate his responsibilities as a father of three. He shares his disciplined schedule, writing in the early mornings before his children wake up, and utilizing moments of daily routines as inspiration for his stories.
Notable Quote:
"The writing comes first. If I don't write, I'm not me."
— Ihioma Nwachu [22:15]
He describes the "magic moments" of creativity that occur during mundane activities, allowing ideas to simmer subconsciously and emerge during dedicated writing sessions.
Balancing Life and Writing
Balancing fatherhood and a writing career presents its own set of challenges. Ihioma speaks candidly about adjusting his writing schedule to late-night hours and early mornings to ensure that his familial duties do not impede his creative process.
Notable Quote:
"I wake up at five, I write for an hour, then exercise, then I'm off to work."
— Ihioma Nwachu [22:50]
He underscores the importance of prioritizing writing as essential to his identity, ensuring that it remains a constant amidst life's demands.
Insights and Advice for Aspiring Writers
Throughout the episode, Ihioma shares valuable insights into the writing process, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and the ability to extract inspiration from everyday life. He advises writers to remain open to how stories evolve and to recognize when a narrative has reached its natural conclusion.
Notable Quote:
"The writing is not done well while you're behind the computer. It's done while you're walking around, doing all these other things."
— Ihioma Nwachu [30:38]
Closing Remarks
As the episode concludes, Zibby and Ihioma exchange heartfelt congratulations on the success of "Japa and Other Stories." Zibby reflects on the personal connection they share, humorously noting their mutual dimples as a sign of their amiable natures.
Notable Quote:
"We both have dimples. And I think that only nice people have dimples."
— Zibby Owens [31:13]
Ihioma expresses gratitude for being featured on the show, reinforcing his enthusiasm for continuing his literary endeavors.
Conclusion
This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers an intimate glimpse into Ihioma Nwachu's life and literary journey. From his roots in Nigeria to his academic pursuits in the U.S., and ultimately to the creation of a celebrated short story collection, Ihioma's story is one of passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the craft of writing. Listeners are left inspired by his ability to balance personal responsibilities with creative aspirations, underscoring the timeless truth that storytelling is an integral part of one's identity.
Connect with Ihioma Nwachu:
- Website: www.zibbyowens.com
- Instagram: @zibbyowens
Follow Zibby Owens:
- Website: zibbymedia.com
- Instagram: @zibbyowens
Note: This summary omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Zibby Owens and Ihioma Nwachu.