It’s time to say farewell to this year’s Balticon with the second of two conversations I recorded for you there, the first being last episode’s BBQ lunch with Mark L. Van Name. This time around you’ll eavesdrop as I chat and chew with award-winning writer Somto Ihezue, who at the time of our conversation was both a Nebula and Locus Award finalist for “We Begin Where Infinity Ends,” published last year in Clarkesworld. Ihezue went on to win the Locus Award for that novelette shortly thereafter.

He was also nominated in 2023 for a British Fantasy Award — the Sydney J. Bounds Award for Best Newcomer. His works have appeared or are forthcoming in Tor: Africa Risen Anthology, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Fireside Magazine, Podcastle, Escape Pod, Strange Horizons, Poetry Magazine, Cossmass Infinities, Flash Fiction Online, Nightmare, OnSpec Magazine, Omenana, Africa In Dialogue, Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology, The Year’s Best Anthology of African Speculative Fiction, and others.

He’s also been involved on the other side of the writer/editor equation, as Acquiring Editor at Android Press and Associate Editor for Cast of Wonders.

We discussed why fireflies matter, how the social media algorithm led him to writing workshops, finding the courage required to write his award-winning story, why the literature of the fantastic is his chosen playground, how he brings the geography of his stories to life, the startling fact his first published short story was also the first he ever wrote, the way the Clarion workshop experience made his writing better, the importance of community, the way readers speak about his poetry vs. the way they speak about his prose, how his editing gigs helped make his own rejections less bothersome, plus much more.

Here’s how you can join us at R & R Taqueria —

1) Subscribe at Apple Podcasts — or wherever you choose to consume your podcasts — where I hope you’ll be tempted to sample a few of the 285 previous episodes.

2) Listen via the RSS feed of http://eatingthefantastic.libsyn.com/rss on the device of your choice.

3) Or simply use the embed below.

Here’s what you would have seen us nibbling had you been with us at R & R Taqueria —

Scott’s Tacos
with rice, beans, pico de Gallo, sour cream, onion, cilantro, and lime

Somto’s Molcajete
steak, chicken, mexican chorizo with melted cheese, grilled onions, cactus, and jalapeño

If you enjoyed this episode and want to support my mission of breaking bread with creators of the fantastic while letting you eavesdrop, there are several ways you can help bring this podcast to the attention of potential new listeners looking for science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comics ear candy —

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You could make a small recurring monthly donation over at Patreon, where there are various perks involved depending on your level of support, such as access to a patrons-only blog, getting a shout-out on the show, stickers, postcards, and more.

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Coming up two weeks from now on the podcast you’ll be able to sit in for the first of my Stokercon meals with guest Arley Sorg, an associate literary agent at kt literary, who’s was a recipient of the 2022 Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award. He’s also been a World Fantasy Award finalist, a Locus Award finalist, and an Ignyte Award finalist — plus he’s out there across social media promoting the philosophy writers should “never give up, never surrender” just about as much as I have.

Thanks for listening!