DEBUT SPOTLIGHT: NEKESA AFIA
Today, I’m so pleased to feature Nekesa Afia, the author of DEAD DEAD GIRLS, a propulsive, snappy historical mystery set in 1920s Harlem. Nekesa’s book debuted last week to great acclaim. It’s easy to see why. Full of wit, voice, and rhythmic prose, DEAD DEAD GIRLS reads like jazz sounds. The main character, Louise Lloyd, who Nekesa describes as a “tiny, tired lesbian” is absolutely iconic. I was so excited to hear that this is just the first book in an ongoing mystery series. I can’t wait to read about more of Lou’s adventures in the future.
“In this terrific series opener, Afia evokes the women’s lives in all their wayward and beautiful glory, especially the abruptness with which their dreams, hopes and fears cease to exist.”–The New York Times
The Full Synopsis
Courtesy of Penguin/Random House
Harlem, 1926. Young Black women like Louise Lloyd are ending up dead.
Following a harrowing kidnapping ordeal when she was in her teens, Louise is doing everything she can to maintain a normal life. She’s succeeding, too. She spends her days working at Maggie’s Café and her nights at the Zodiac, Harlem’s hottest speakeasy. Louise’s friends, especially her girlfriend, Rosa Maria Moreno, might say she’s running from her past and the notoriety that still stalks her, but don’t tell her that.
When a girl turns up dead in front of the café, Louise is forced to confront something she’s been trying to ignore—two other local Black girls have been murdered in the past few weeks. After an altercation with a police officer gets her arrested, Louise is given an ultimatum: She can either help solve the case or wind up in a jail cell. Louise has no choice but to investigate and soon finds herself toe-to-toe with a murderous mastermind hell-bent on taking more lives, maybe even her own…
And now, for our interview:
Paulette: Hi Nekesa! I’m so pleased you took the time to chat with me in the midst of a very busy month. Can you tell us a little about your book and what inspired you to write it?
Nekesa: My debut novel is DEAD DEAD GIRLS. It’s a prohibition era mystery where tiny, tired lesbian Louise Lloyd is extorted into solving a string of murders. I was inspired to write it after spending a ton of my youth reading mysteries. Specifically, I was studying the era in my senior year history class, and really wanted to write something set in it. The crime was inspired by Jack the Ripper, which we studied in that history class as well.
Paulette: Jack the Ripper is an interesting study. Something that has always fascinated and appalled me at the same time is the way that the brutal nature of the murders took the focus away from his victims and their humanity. The victims are dismissed and the murderer is centered, which happens all too often in the modern day as well.
But in Dead Dead Girls, Louise is so admirable, because even though she’s extorted into the investigation, she truly cares. She pushes past her own fear and trauma to get to the bottom of what’s happening to the young women in Harlem and approaches her investigation with such heart and conviction. I think that’s the thing I love most about her. Along with her savvy wit!
Photo by Paulette Kennedy
Your research into the era really shines through—especially with the scenes at the Zodiac and the period-specific language from Louise and her cohorts. I was fully immersed. Can you talk to us a little about what your writing process was like for DEAD DEAD GIRLS?
Nekesa: This novel was a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) project, so it was a lot of typing whatever came into my head. I was also writing it during school. Now that I’m out, I like to write at night. I have a little projector that puts the stars on my ceiling, and I turn it on while I write. I try to plan but not too much or else I’ll feel trapped, I try to give myself a low goal so I can pass it. I don’t write every day, so I try to make it count.
Paulette: I love the projector! And I’m so impressed that you crafted Dead Dead Girls during NaNoWriMo. I’ve never been able to finish anything during NaNo. Getting any amount of words down is such an accomplishment, though, and setting attainable goals is so important. What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Your least favorite?
Nekesa: My favourite part is editing. I love take the bad stuff I’ve written previously and replacing it with better stuff. I regard my first drafts as jumping off points and I love building and going deeper in the story. On the other hand, first drafts are such a slog. I find it harder to just make stuff up if that makes sense.
Paulette: It makes total sense to me. I’m the same way. Drafting is my least favorite part of the process, although it’s vital. I think it’s important to celebrate your milestones as a writer. How have you celebrated your successes?
Nekesa: I’m not gonna lie, it’s been hard to remember to slow down and celebrate. I’m trying to be better at it. I’ve bought mini-bottles of champagne to have on hand in case of major news celebration. Life is short and publishing is hard! Take the wins where you can get them.
Paulette: That’s such great advice! And yes to having champagne on hand! Publishing is so hard, and we deserve to be proud of what we’ve accomplished. But 2020 and 2021 have been tough years, all the way around. What have been the biggest challenges of your debut year?
Nekesa: Aside from debuting in a pandemic without my family around? Actually, it’s been debuting in a pandemic without my family around.
Paulette: I hear you. And hopefully you’ll be able to celebrate with your family soon, in-person! Any advice you might have for writers, especially those breaking out with their first book?
Nekesa: Patience! Patience is the most important thing you need during your debut year. Publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Also make sure to have a support system around you. You need people to vent and complain to!
Paulette: I agree whole-heartedly. A supportive group of friends who are there for you through the ups and downs of publishing can’t be over-sung. Thanks again for taking the time to chat, Nekesa. I can’t wait to see what happens next for you, and for Lou!
Photo by FizCo Photography
Nekesa (Nuh-kes-ah) Afia (Ah-fee-ah) is a Canadian millennial who is doing her best. When she isn’t writing, she is either sewing, swing dancing, or actively trying to pet every dog she sees. DEAD DEAD GIRLS is her debut novel. You can connect with her through her website, as well as Twitter and Instagram @nekesaafia
You can buy Dead Dead Girls wherever books are sold or from the following retailers:
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, IndieBound