Meet Kasimma | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kasimma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kasimma, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Be still, and know that I am God… (Ps 46:10). Sometimes it is pretty difficult to navigate this life. Sometimes, it seems as if all my efforts are pouring to waste, irretrievable like water on sand. And I panic. But these words help me calm down and remember that God is in control; as if God is saying, “Take a chill pill and watch me work.” I know that God loves me and is looking out for me, and even situations I do not yet know about, God has solved or put people in places to handle them for me. Knowing that God is out there working for me is really relaxing because who can battle with God?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am Kasimma, an author, a hardcore placard-carrying feminist, and I am from Igboland. I am proud to be Igbo. Igbo people have been unfairly deleted by the colonizers as if we are a pencil’s mistake. I am writing to right those wrongs, to sing the songs of my ancestors. It’s not been easy, honestly, being a writer who insists on inserting Igbo words in her stories. I get lots of rejections. But the ones that hurt are those with “helpful” feedback which evaluates my identity, not my writing voice, style, or even the prose! Notwithstanding, I have over 30 publications, and 99.9% of them have Igbo words in them. I believe in the ability of humans to be good: the people who said no to me do not understand Igbo, but so do the people who said yes.

However, I find that people are more open to feminism than Igbo(ness) because my feminist-themed stories sell out faster than others.

I have come this far by telling myself that there is power in my words. Someone’s opinion of me is powerless. My opinion of myself is powerful. Agụ si na ọ naghị ata ire mmadụ maka na ihe na-egbu mmadụ si na ire ya abia: the tiger says it does not eat human tongue because what kills human comes from their tongue. I don’t curse myself and my work. Ire ọma ka ejune ji aga n’ogwu: the snail uses a good tongue to trudge through thorns. I encourage myself all the time. The stories chose me for a reason; I do not give up on them. Yes and no are the same to me. Yes = we move on to selling another story. No = we keep trying to sell that story. Yes & no = we keep working. This is not to say there aren’t times when I get incredibly fed up. Sometimes I cry. No, that’s not true. I weep. And I always turn to God in those moments and say, “I know you’re there. Give me strength.” Then I get right back to work, or I go and lie down and enjoy a deep sleep. (Ị ga-abụkwanụ ogbenye bụrụkwa amoosu?) Then I return to work. Because, really, what other choice do I have? Give up? It’s not an option!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am an indoor person. I can stay in my home for one week and not step outside my door. Yes, it’s that bad. So, anyone who wants to visit me should better come armed with a list of where they want to go and a boot of conviction to get me to tag along.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My family. They make the sunrise worth it. When I get tired, or even try to sabotage myself, I remember them, and I sit up, sometimes not for myself but because I need to spoil them silly: especially my mum and my children. I thank them for their prayers.

Fellow writers. An Igbo adage says that ihe ọjọ is less painful when it befalls the entire community. I don’t know any writer who hasn’t faced many rejections. Not a single person. So when I face literary rejection, I draw strength from the success of other writers. Every day, we hear news of literary accomplishments. Their success is proof that it is possible. Their success has gotten me this far. I thank them.

Website: https://kasimma.com/

Instagram: @iamkasimma

Twitter: @kasimmam