Under the Milky Way

Ayodeji Ajagbe writes books, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense. He’s best known for writing romance and political thrillers, including the Bambooks bestseller What Happened to Helen, which won the AfriCAN Honoree Authors’ Award for Best Novel of the Year. He also writes poems on subjects ranging from corruption to human hardship to love, and was the Vice Chairman of the National Association of Writers, Kwara State Chapter. He enjoys pie, as should all right-thinking people. You can get to his blog by visiting www.ajagbeayodeji.com

Maxwell Kamau, a 23-year-old wordsmith from Nairobi, Kenya, is pursuing a BSc in Communication and Journalism at Rongo University. For the past four years, while still in school, he has contributed to major publications in Kenya, including Daily Nation, The Standard, and The Star. The Thomson Foundation, Agence France-Presse (AFP), and Reuters awarded him a journalism certificate, officially recognising him as a real-time journalist.

Additionally, he is a graduate of Alison's English Language and Literature Diploma Programme. He writes masterfully in almost every genre. His best works have appeared in collections such as The Kalahari Review, The Journal of African Youth Literature, Akowdee Magazine, The Umuofia Arts and Books Festival’s Anthology, Fighting on Arrival and Other Stories, and KISA Book Two: Of Deadbeats, Bastard Children & Pagan Wives.

He also contributed to the much-anticipated second book in the Candid Writers Series, Many More Will Have to Suffer and Other Stories, which is set to be released soon. Under the Milky Way is one of his most influential literary works. Together with Nigerian author Ayodeji Ajagbe, the #1 Bambooks best-selling author of acclaimed political thrillers chock-full of unforgettable characters, breathtaking scenes, and gripping suspense, he pioneered the book.

His accomplishments in the literary world can be ascribed to the deep impact that Czech novelist and writer Franz Kafka had on his ambition to write. When he is not writing, he enjoys listening to soulful music and binge-watching crime thrillers.

Adut Loi Akok is a South Sudanese award-winning poet and a spoken word artist, currently based in Kigali, Rwanda. He is the author of two poetry books and a UN-YOUTH Fellow. His books are titled " If Only the City Cries", published by African Ink Publishers, Nairobi, and "The Beauty Within Us", published by Afrogate Publishers, USA. Adut was the national second-place poetry winner of the 2022 art competition sponsored by UNFPA in his home country, South Sudan. In 2023, he became a guest poet at the #ShareYourLight campaign by UNHCR Africa. His work has featured in Kalahari Review, Plot Creatives Magazine, Konch Magazine, Scribes Ink Publishers, Mount Kenya Times, and several other anthologies, including The Best New African Poets and My Mental Health Anthologies, 2022.

Agnes Dairo writes between courtroom statutes, product roadmaps, brand decks, and Lagos sunsets. Agnes is a law graduate, social media and brand strategist, content creator, and budding product manager, she is the author of I Breathe Poetry and the short story Turning Point—works that explore how loss ripens into light. Her poems have appeared in Poetry 365 (RDW Publications, Nov 2021) and other journals. She is currently shaping her debut novel—a bittersweet tale of heartbreak and quiet triumphs—while stockpiling metaphors on bus rides.

Anuoluwapo Ogunmoroti, writing under the pen name Author_Moroti, is a Nigerian writer, author, and Mass Communication graduate from the University of Lagos. With a deep passion for storytelling, she explores themes of love, resilience, and emotional truth through both poetry and fiction. Her debut novel, In the Name of Love, was released in April 2025, followed by her poetry collection, Diary of a Dainty Butterfly, in June of the same year. These books can be found on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and Goodreads. When she is not writing, she is buried deep in her 9–5 job as a marketing specialist.

Anusha Garg is an 18-year-old TEDx speaker, author, artist, athlete, and social activist whose work bridges creativity and change-making. With 17 published books to her name, her writing spans poetry, fiction, and global anthologies, addressing themes such as education, mental health, sustainability, gender equality, and identity. She is the founder of the platform Ahsaans Bol. Anusha uses storytelling, music, and activism to amplify youth voices and drive social reform. She is currently pursuing Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi (India).

Bukola Ayeni, known by the pen name Colorwriter, is a passionate writer who explores the human experience through stories and poetry. Her work is rooted in healing both personal and collective, and she believes in the power of words to restore, inspire, and connect. When she's not writing, she enjoys crocheting and sketching, finding creativity in every thread and line.

Isaboke Mbuthia is a Kenyan multimedia journalist with a passion for poetry and creative writing. He regularly shares his poetry on his personal blog. As a writer, he has had two of his short stories published on the Yours2Read platform. He also co-wrote the short film Campus Bride, produced by the Kenya Film Commission.

James Sanja is a young Kenyan writer based in Nairobi, Kenya. He has published three short novels: A Bipedal Reptile, Master and Tristan, and The Gentlemen. He has also published three short story anthologies: Prometheus on the Loose, Fisherman Gone Hunting, and Island Blues. He is an avid reader who also enjoys gaming.

John Chinaka Onyeche is a Nigerian writer (BIPOC) and historian from Etche in Rivers State. He is a graduate of History and Diplomatic Studies and serves as a poetry curator with the Port Harcourt Literary Review. He is committed to ensuring that the full scope of history is accurately represented poetically.

Lately, John writes about themes such as family, separation, and the death of loved ones. His work has appeared in various journals, including: Meddlebury Institute of International Studies, York Literary Review of York St John University, Protagonist Journal of Charles University, Prague, Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival, Rigorous, Ebedi Review, Overtly Lit, The Shallow Tales Review, McNeese State University, Pier Review (University of Brighton), Tilted House Journal, Akewi Magazine, Brittle Paper, and is forthcoming in Akpata Review.

He has received nominations for Best of the Net (2022) and the Pushcart Prize (2023).

John Komolafe, known by the pen name jay_alpoetry, is a poet whose work has captivated a global audience through its profound exploration of human emotion, love, identity, and social justice. Their unique voice and command of language have made their poems widely read and shared online, inspiring reflection and meaningful connection.

With a strong online presence, jay_alpoetry paints vivid pictures of life through words—resonating deeply with readers and sparking important conversations across communities.

Miss Allias is a Ugandan-based writer, blogger, and storyteller. She explores themes of self-improvement, identity, and coming of age. Through her simple poems and writings, she hopes to inspire young adults to embrace growth and change, love themselves, and find the motivation to work through their struggles and challenges.

Mutumbi M’mwege is a creative fiction writer and poet whose work explores the intricate themes of life, love, and loss. For the past five years, he has shared his evocative writing through a personal blog, where his raw talent has attracted a loyal and diverse readership across age groups and genders.

Flavio is currently working on his debut publication, a poetry anthology, and has recently joined Andishi Africa as a contributing author of creative fiction. Beyond storytelling, he is deeply interested in social commentary and cultural critique, often weaving these elements into his literary voice.

Naisha Kaur Sethi is a young poetess still finding her voice, and trusting it more each day. Her writing is rooted in feeling, often exploring the quiet, in-between moments most people pass by. There's tenderness in her work, but also truth, unfiltered, sometimes uncertain, but always honest.

A 16-year-old student, Naisha is a published author of multiple books and has contributed to several anthologies. She has held key positions such as Literary Captain and gained perspective through competitions in writing, diplomacy, and public speaking. With a deep interest in law, international relations, justice, and criminology, her poetry often moves beyond the personal, reflecting the dilemmas she sees in the political, social, and emotional landscapes around her.

Each poem she writes is a small attempt to make sense of the world, and of herself. For her, poetry isn't just words, it's a weapon, a war, and sometimes, a way through.

Christina Nasubo (Nasubo T.) is a poet, a writer, an emotional archaeologist, and a literary arts enthusiast drawn to the messy parts of human life. Her poetry explores the rawness of emotion and the fragility of life as it is. She draws inspiration from shared experience and is always searching for ways to offer her own as something universal and felt. Born and raised in Malaba, Kenya, she has spent most of her life trying to bridge the gap between emotion and language. Her poetry dives deep into personal truths and the questions she is still learning how to ask. With a tender dream of becoming an author, she has helped many others share their stories and truths, quietly living that dream along the way.

Nompilo Khayelihle (23) is a South African author pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy of Technology at the University of the Free State (UFS). She has published an urban African magical realism thriller titled The Demon’s Wife, which explores the mythical, the ancestral, and the living spheres of existence. Her academic excellence is evident in her award-winning essays at the University of the Free State. She is also a co-author of the short story anthology Spoiling the Broth Vol. 3.

Beyond her academic and literary pursuits, Nompilo is a high-performing rugby player for UFS Kovsie Rugby.

Oladayo Oke is a poet whose words pulse with tenderness, longing, and raw vulnerability. By day, he cares for others as a nurse; by night, he crafts verses that explore the ache and wonder of being human. His writing captures quiet moments, the softness of a shared glance, the weight of unspoken hope, and turns them into something timeless. When he isn’t writing, you’ll likely find him at a chessboard, lost in silent strategy.

Sharon Kamsiyochukwu Oputa is a Nigerian writer, poet, and storyteller with a passion for capturing raw emotion and social truth through words. Her work often explores themes of identity, justice, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. Sharon draws inspiration from everyday experiences, Nigerian society, and the quiet corners of imagination, using storytelling as both expression and advocacy. She writes to give voice to silence and bring beauty to truth. She is the author of Accident, Love and Scars—a novel available on Wattpad—along with other stories.

Rukayat Ogunlana is a Nigerian creative writer and spoken word poet who explores the full spectrum of the human experience—one piece at a time. Her work has appeared in The Kalahari Review, Brittle Paper, BellaNaija, The Poetry Journal, Punocracy, The Journal of African Youth Literature, and other publications. She was also longlisted for Punocracy's Prize for Satire in 2022.

Wayua Mutemi is a budding Kenyan writer who seeks to evoke emotion, inspire reflection, and spark change through her poetry and prose. Her work often explores themes such as grief, love, and the heavy burden of upholding tradition—a weight frequently borne by many African children. She has been published in the second edition of the Qwani Anthology and also runs a personal blog titled Letters of My Lovers on WordPress.

Alice S. Yousef is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian translator, blogger, researcher, and poet who has published short stories, poetry, and translations. Her work can be found in various online magazines, including Twopoetswrite and Visual Verse. She holds a Master’s in Writing from the University of Warwick (UK) and was a fellow of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program in 2016. She is currently working on her first volume of poetry. She tweets @Aliceyousef.