Cover Reveal: A Body In Spice by Roseline Mgbodichinma

Each year, the African Poetry Book Fund (APBF) releases a beautifully designed box set showcasing the work of talented African poets. This year, we are proud to celebrate our magazine editor, Roseline Mgbodichinma, who is one of the selected poets in the 2025 limited-edition collection. We are beyond excited to reveal the cover of her debut chapbook, A Body in Spice, forthcoming from the African Poetry Book Fund (APBF) and published by Akashic Books.

In this beautiful collection, Roseline is observant and writes with great skill, heart, and intention. In the preface for A Body in Spice, Tsitsi Jaji, Zimbabwean-American poet and scholar writes:

“A Body in Spice may be Roseline Mgbodichinma's first chapbook, but it is also the work of a seasoned writer. Unified thematically, this chapbook incorporates forms ranging from the familiar to the wondrously original to meditate on desire, lineage, spirituality, and the meaning of home…”

From the poem "Everywhere" in A Body in Spice,

“If memory were a thread,

I would weave every

recollection of your life

into a living, breathing

thing."

The chapbook will be published in December as part of Kumi Na Moja: New-Generation African Poets, a special box set featuring ten exciting new African voices: Abdulkareem Abdulkareem, Hauwa Saleh Abubakar, Aria Deemie, Michael Imossan, Rahma Jimoh, Roseline Anya Okorie, Adesiyan Oluwapelumi, Leano Debra Ranko, Timi Sanni, and Tjizembua Tjikuzu.

The artwork was painted by Ethiopian artist Mulu Legesse. The cover was designed by Sohrab Habibion and Aaron Petrovich at Akashic Books. The author photo was taken by Nipah Dennis.

Roseline Mgbodichinma is an alumna of the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD) West African Writers Residency. Her work has appeared in Isele Magazine, Brittle Paper, North Dakota Quarterly, and other publications. You can learn more about her at www.mgbodichi.com

The box set is available for preorder on Amazon. Nigerian readers will get more information on how to order from the author soon.

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