Michael Afenfia is a diversity, settlement and inclusion practitioner based in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is the author of the critically acclaimed novels, When the Moon Caught Fire, A Street Called Lonely, Don’t Die on Wednesday, The Mechanics of Yenagoa and Rain Can Never Know. His sixth novel, Leave my Bones in Saskatoon was recently released. It spans two cultures and continents. It is honest, heartfelt and enlightening. Notably, between 2016 and 2019, he was Speechwriter to the Governor of his home state, Bayelsa in Nigeria, while simultaneously serving as a member of the state library board. About the same period, he served as Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Bayelsa State Chapter. .
When he is not writing or speaking to new Canadians and locals about race relations and immigration, he mentors young creatives in his home country, Nigeria. At other times he can be found watching television, listening to music or travelling.
“In the past, when people ask which of my books, I am most fond of, I would parrot something I read about Chinua Achebe. When asked the same question, his response was always to say that as a father might not declare he has a favorite child he too would not publicly admit which of his books was his favorite. He loved them equally, but for different reasons. I used to say that too. These days however, I am a lot less diplomatic. I have a favorite and I am not afraid of letting people know what it is. But rather than mentioning a title, I would mention a name, a character. Owoicho, the lead character in Leave my Bones in Saskatoon comes from a place of honesty. His journey is representative of the experience of many people I have come to know in Nigeria and even here in Saskatoon. His life revolved around issues many people have lived but would never speak about.” Michael said recently while fielding questions about his books and the inspiration for his stories.
Michael Afenfia is a member of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild.
ichael Afenfia is a diversity, settlement and inclusion practitioner based in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is the author of the critically acclaimed novels, When the Moon Caught Fire, A Street Called Lonely, Don’t Die on Wednesday, The Mechanics of Yenagoa and Rain Can Never Know. His sixth novel, Leave my Bones in Saskatoon is scheduled for release in the fall of 2022. Michael is a graduate of Law and Business Administration although in the course of his career spanning two decades and counting, he has acquired multidisciplinary experience working with both private and public sector organizations. Notably, between 2016 and 2019, he was Speechwriter to the Governor of his home state, Bayelsa in Nigeria, while simultaneously serving as a member of the state library board. About the same period, he served as Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Bayelsa State Chapter. .
When he is not writing or speaking to new Canadians and locals about race relations and immigration, he mentors young creatives in his home country, Nigeria. At other times he can be found watching television, listening to music or travelling.
“In the past, when people ask which of my books, I am most fond of, I would parrot something I read about Chinua Achebe. When asked the same question, his response was always to say that as a father might not declare he has a favorite child he too would not publicly admit which of his books was his favorite. He loved them equally, but for different reasons. I used to say that too. These days however, I am a lot less diplomatic. I have a favorite and I am not afraid of letting people know what it is. But rather than mentioning a title, I would mention a name, a character. Owoicho, the lead character in Leave my Bones in Saskatoon comes from a place of honesty. His journey is representative of the experience of many people I have come to know in Nigeria and even here in Saskatoon. His life revolved around issues many people have lived but would never speak about.” Michael said recently while fielding questions about his books and the inspiration for his stories.
Michael Afenfia is a member of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild.
Michael Afenfia is the author of five novels that have made indelible imprints in writing – The Sun”