Meet the Judges: Shani Akilah
Meet the judges! We chatted with the talented Shani Akilah on all things books. Writer, Screenwriter and Content Creator, Shani was spotlighted as a ‘Key Black Influencer’ by DoubleDay Books. She is the co-founder of Nyah Network, a book club for black women and has just received a book deal for her debut short story collection, For Such A Time As This.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE ONLINE READING COMMUNITY?
It is a reminder of the amazing variety of books out in the world! I wish I had more time to read!
WHAT BOOK FIRST SPARKED YOUR LOVE FOR READING?
So Much by Trish Cooke - my parents read it to me all the time when I was a child.
WHAT DEBUT AUTHOR SHOULD WE BE KEEPING OUR EYES ON?
Ore Agbaje-Williams.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED TO WRITE?
Being able to create characters and worlds that people can relate to. I think it is amazing that writers are able to do this, it blows my mind all of the time!
IF YOU COULD GO FOR DINNER WITH A CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?
Adunni from The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré - such a courageous young woman who is not afraid to use her voice.
DO YOU HAVE ANY READING RITUALS?
Reading for an hour in the morning - generally 30 minutes fiction and 30 minutes non-fiction.
ALL TIME FAVE READ
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.
CURRENT READ
The List by Yomi Adegoke.
NEXT ON TBR
The Situationship by Taylor-Dior Rumble.