Archive: Wasafiri Wonders

In the newest instalment of Wasafiri Wonders, we speak with the winner of the 2022 Wasafiri Essay Prize, Rachel Bolle-Debessay, about her favourite recent releases, writing habits, and upcoming work.

In the latest instalment of Wasafiri Wonders, we talk to the winner of the inaugural Wasafiri Essay Prize, Antony Huen.

Wasafiri talks about craft and writing with two of the 2021 Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowships, and Wasafiri contributors and friends, Dzifa Benson and Romalyn Ante. 

‘I’m still working hard to find a language for my grief.‘ To celebrate Wasafiri 107, we spoke with poet Cecilia Knapp, the Young People’s Laureate for London, about first drafts, playlists, and themes she gravitates towards in her writing – plus, listen to her read her poem ‘My Brother Quit Drinking Maybe Five Times.’

‘Little wild words thump in the mouth‘. Poet and academic Elizabeth-Jane Burnett on first drafts, the best writing advice she’s received, and the more-than-human in her poetry.

‘Writing is one of the most unpredictable crafts.’ Novelist An Yu on first drafts, favourite books, and writing the unknown.

‘I veer towards writing about memory as a way to navigate something very present or painful in my adult life.’ Sharanya Deepak reflects on first drafts, writing rituals and resistance.

‘”ahorita” in Mexico means right away or right now, but how do you convey the underlying truth which is that it often translates in practice to some time this century or even… never!’ Wasafiri Wonders with Juana Adcock and Sophie Hughes.

‘The poetry reaches the paper in a flow, having been on the mind for a while, and is later to be edited, while the translation first drafts are tediously practised and mulled over, for almost every line, in the first draft itself.’ Wasafiri Wonders with Maaz Bin Bilal.