What I do
I TELL STORIES
Hi, I’m Rogba, your friendly neigbourhood storyman.
| Born in London and the first of three, I was raised across both London and Lagos, Nigeria. I am a descendant of John Augustus Otunba-Payne; the noted lawyer, writer and murdered prince of the Ijebu-Ode royal family. I first began writing while studying law at university – where the shapes of the characters in my debut, ‘the Dance of Shadows’, first took form. I am particularly interested in the deep-rooted beliefs, myths and stories that underpin culture and the beautiful lies that often inspire them. If you catch me at my very best, watch me write speculative fiction that examines issues of power, inequality and spirituality. Agent: Jordan Lees Agency: The Blair Partnership |
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my work
THE DANCE OF SHADOWS
In the heart of Darosa, a continent dominated by colonial power lies the nation of Basmine. Where gods, witch doctors and tribal chiefs make myth through reckless adventure.
The natives Odu tribe have a saying: ‘A man’s hands tell his story’
Rumi Voltaine’s hands would tell you that he had been whipped. That he had climbed trees and fallen from them. That he had scratched flesh when that was all he could do to protect himself. That he had burned his fingertips reading books by candlelight. They would also tell you that he was the best drummer in all of Basmine.
When Rumi’s world collides with a godhunter – everything changes.
What folks are saying about THE DANCE OF SHADOWS
‘A contender for fantasy debut of the year’
…this is a rich, detailed and (be warned) visceral take on high fantasy that leaves you impatient for sequels. A contender for fantasy debut of the year.
Jonathan Wright
SFX Magazine
A refreshing Afro-centric perspective
Payne – a London-born writer with Nigerian heritage – adroitly blends high fantasy and West African tradition, rituals and folklore, and with this, his very entertaining debut, he joins the likes of Nnedi Okorafor and Tade Thompson in bringing a refreshing Afrocentric perspective to genre tropes.
James Lovegrove
The Financial Times
An engrossing saga of magic and music
An engrossing saga of magic and music , which painfully illustrates how someone’s true purpose in life can be knocked off course by oppression and war.
Eddie Robson
author of Drunk On All Your Strange New Words
Rogba Payne 