Literature
My collection of short stories has just been released.
From the back of the book:
THE BOOK
Hoodlums is a collection of short stories reflecting the Nigerian situation, especially the physical and psychological violence perpetrated in the name of religion, politics, culture and the quest for wealth. Amidst the bloodshed, injustice and jungle justice, there is also smouldering romance and spiritual undertone as love struggles for survival.
THE AUTHOR
Sumaila Isah Umaisha has, in the course of his journalism career since 1993, bagged several awards, such as the Literary Journalist of the Year Award by the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, which he won twice (2004 and 2007) as the literary editor of New Nigerian Newspapers.
His literary works have been published in many journals, anthologies and websites, including his blog: http://www.everuthinliterature.blogspot.com/.
The former national publicity secretary of ANA and chairman of the Kaduna State chapter holds Higher National Diploma in Journalism and Post-graduate Diploma in Public Administration.
Highlights from some of the stories
Militants
The confused flow of human traffic was so charged with the fear of death that it had no regard for little kids. Only those who were in company of adults had the privilege of being dragged roughly along or clasped in quaking arms. The unlucky ones, who happened to be on their own, like Tene, had to manage along at the risk of being trampled upon by the moving forest of adult feet?
The Last Hiding Place
She burst into the library. He was not there. She rushed to the toilet, the lounge, the kitchen and the other rooms, but each yawned at her with an air of nonchalance? Her fear rose with every heartbeat. Fear of the night and the deadly possibilities. Fear of what might happen to her in this lonely place that was miles away from human habitation?
The King Himself
?Then sit down,? he cut me short. ?You can sit on any of the chairs, except one. That one over there? It belongs to the King himself.?
I looked around but I couldn?t see any chair. Of course, I didn?t expect to see any. I expected to see scraps of bicycles, motorcycles and the like. And those were all I saw - hollow things from the anonymous folds of the past?
The Forbidden Path
The path was overgrown; all sorts of plants formed sealed lips over the way. Trees and creepers made it impossible for her to see beyond her next few steps. And each step seemed to take her closer to some void where the silent echoes of the spills of life converged. Yet, she plodded on, gasping like a fish out of water?
Hoodlums
The urgent need to ascertain her safety overshadowed the thought of his own impending death. He flipped the phone open. But as he began to dial, the Inspector snatched it from his hand.
?What the hell are you doing??
?Just trying to call my...?
?Call your what? You think you are on a picnic?? He flung the phone away.
The clatter of the phone on the road sounded to Ben like a metal curtain being drawn between him and Mairo. He got down on his knees and began to pray - something he had not done in a very long time?
- Bound To Violence
Reviewed by Denja Abdullahi Hoodlums, a collection of 17 short stories of varying length, is a much awaited work from the author, Sumaila Umaisha. For well over a decade, his stories have been read on the literary pages of major Nigerian newspapers,...
- Umaisha And Omalicha Offer November Treat In Abuja
Two emerging writers, Sumaila Umaisha and Ifeyinwa Omalicha, will feature at the 28th edition of the Abuja Writers? Forum?s Guest Writer Session, which holds on November 27, according to the Forum?s PRO, Abudullahi Abubakar: The event, which holds from...
- How Chris Ngige Inspired My New Book
In this interview with Henry Akubuiro, Sumaila Umaisha, literary editor of Nigerian Newspapers and two-time winner of Literary Journalist of the Year, awarded by Association of Nigerian Authors, speaks on his new book, HOODLUMS. Excerpts: What is your...
- Hoodlums: Long Stories In Short Captivating Tales
Ahmed Dodo?s review of Hoodlums (a collection of short stories) by Sumaila Umaisha, published by Hybun, 2010, pages - 110. If there is one thing I have always loved in a good story, is the ability of the writer to intelligently weave a long story into...
- Umaisha Wins Literary Journalist Of The Year Award (report)
Literary Page Editor of New Nigerian Weekly, Malam Sumaila Umaisha, has won the 2007 ANA/Anyiam-Osigwe Literary Journalist of the Year Award. This was announced at the 26th International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), which...
Literature
My new book!
My collection of short stories has just been released.
From the back of the book:
THE BOOK
Hoodlums is a collection of short stories reflecting the Nigerian situation, especially the physical and psychological violence perpetrated in the name of religion, politics, culture and the quest for wealth. Amidst the bloodshed, injustice and jungle justice, there is also smouldering romance and spiritual undertone as love struggles for survival.
THE AUTHOR
Sumaila Isah Umaisha has, in the course of his journalism career since 1993, bagged several awards, such as the Literary Journalist of the Year Award by the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, which he won twice (2004 and 2007) as the literary editor of New Nigerian Newspapers.
His literary works have been published in many journals, anthologies and websites, including his blog: http://www.everuthinliterature.blogspot.com/.
The former national publicity secretary of ANA and chairman of the Kaduna State chapter holds Higher National Diploma in Journalism and Post-graduate Diploma in Public Administration.
Highlights from some of the stories
Militants
The confused flow of human traffic was so charged with the fear of death that it had no regard for little kids. Only those who were in company of adults had the privilege of being dragged roughly along or clasped in quaking arms. The unlucky ones, who happened to be on their own, like Tene, had to manage along at the risk of being trampled upon by the moving forest of adult feet?
The Last Hiding Place
She burst into the library. He was not there. She rushed to the toilet, the lounge, the kitchen and the other rooms, but each yawned at her with an air of nonchalance? Her fear rose with every heartbeat. Fear of the night and the deadly possibilities. Fear of what might happen to her in this lonely place that was miles away from human habitation?
The King Himself
?Then sit down,? he cut me short. ?You can sit on any of the chairs, except one. That one over there? It belongs to the King himself.?
I looked around but I couldn?t see any chair. Of course, I didn?t expect to see any. I expected to see scraps of bicycles, motorcycles and the like. And those were all I saw - hollow things from the anonymous folds of the past?
The Forbidden Path
The path was overgrown; all sorts of plants formed sealed lips over the way. Trees and creepers made it impossible for her to see beyond her next few steps. And each step seemed to take her closer to some void where the silent echoes of the spills of life converged. Yet, she plodded on, gasping like a fish out of water?
Hoodlums
The urgent need to ascertain her safety overshadowed the thought of his own impending death. He flipped the phone open. But as he began to dial, the Inspector snatched it from his hand.
?What the hell are you doing??
?Just trying to call my...?
?Call your what? You think you are on a picnic?? He flung the phone away.
The clatter of the phone on the road sounded to Ben like a metal curtain being drawn between him and Mairo. He got down on his knees and began to pray - something he had not done in a very long time?
- Bound To Violence
Reviewed by Denja Abdullahi Hoodlums, a collection of 17 short stories of varying length, is a much awaited work from the author, Sumaila Umaisha. For well over a decade, his stories have been read on the literary pages of major Nigerian newspapers,...
- Umaisha And Omalicha Offer November Treat In Abuja
Two emerging writers, Sumaila Umaisha and Ifeyinwa Omalicha, will feature at the 28th edition of the Abuja Writers? Forum?s Guest Writer Session, which holds on November 27, according to the Forum?s PRO, Abudullahi Abubakar: The event, which holds from...
- How Chris Ngige Inspired My New Book
In this interview with Henry Akubuiro, Sumaila Umaisha, literary editor of Nigerian Newspapers and two-time winner of Literary Journalist of the Year, awarded by Association of Nigerian Authors, speaks on his new book, HOODLUMS. Excerpts: What is your...
- Hoodlums: Long Stories In Short Captivating Tales
Ahmed Dodo?s review of Hoodlums (a collection of short stories) by Sumaila Umaisha, published by Hybun, 2010, pages - 110. If there is one thing I have always loved in a good story, is the ability of the writer to intelligently weave a long story into...
- Umaisha Wins Literary Journalist Of The Year Award (report)
Literary Page Editor of New Nigerian Weekly, Malam Sumaila Umaisha, has won the 2007 ANA/Anyiam-Osigwe Literary Journalist of the Year Award. This was announced at the 26th International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), which...