What’s the story behind your latest book?
My debut novel, ‘Lords Over Kenia’ is a fictional book on an alternate history to the African colonisation tale. It features all of my favourites: war, politics, love, old garbs and queer characters.
But what I love most about it is the little bits of real history embedded in the story.
I wanted to tell a fictional story whose truths formed a strong and solid backbone. And in so doing tell an alternate story with equally important significance.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Without a doubt the editing. Horrors.
Why did you choose the subject or genre of your book?
So:
1. Epic books don’t just have one hero or one evil guy, there’s a myriad of blurred heroes and anti-heroes and inbetweeners. There’s so many POV. The ancient times, rituals and ceremonies. There is just a whole bunch of recipes and ingredients that cook a story which are often simple.
2. Pour in the above pot the rich African, especially Kenyan cultures, and the potential for a blockbuster novel is overwhelming.
3. Spice it up with my like for historical events and figure heads, and you end up with Lords Over Kenia.
4. Serve while hot.
Sykes Things 