Nigerian writer Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki’s Afropantheology novel, Birth of Orisha, has been acquired by Caezik Books, an imprint of Arc Manor, with editing by Lezli Robyn.
The deal places Ekpeki’s first novel alongside a publisher’s list that includes figures such as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Robert Heinlein, and George R.R. Martin.
Set in a far-future Africa reshaped by nuclear war, Birth of Orisha follows survivors navigating radiation, mutation, environmental collapse, and difficult moral questions. The novel blends science fiction with African spiritual frameworks and serves as the first book in The Orisha Cycle trilogy. Ekpeki describes the work as part of Afropantheology, a subgenre he developed with Joshua Uchenna Omenga.
The novel has already received advance praise from several major science fiction authors, including Pat Cadigan, P. Djèlí Clark, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Tananarive Due, and David Brin.
Ekpeki’s previous publications with Arc Manor include his Nebula Award–winning novelette O2 Arena and The Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction 2021, which earned him the World Fantasy Award, making him the first African editor to receive the honor. He was also the first Black editor, alongside Sheree Renée Thomas, to be nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Editor, Short Form.
In addition to the book deal, Ekpeki is now represented for film and television by Vince Gerardis of Starling Inc., producer of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the upcoming Elden Ring adaptation. His literary representation is handled by Mark Gottlieb, executive vice president of Trident Media Group.
Congratulations, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
