Calabash

'London is the greatest love of my life. She is my wife, my whore and my mother. The biggest ball-ache I've ever had, but also the most exciting and the most comfortable place as well. London is the only place in Europe where you can life the American dream.'

After a triumphant year for Black writers (rounded off by Indian writer Kiran Desai scooping the Man Booker prize) we can embrace 2007 optimistic that the wealth of talent emerging from our communities is actually being recognised by someone out there. My fear is that the publishing industry will have a 'been there seen that' approach to new Black and Asian writers...the continuous search for the new Zadie or new Monica could lead to them ignoring a whole a crop of fresh and exciting writers that don't quite fit this often limited remit. Let's hope the agents and publishers don't let us down by failing to recognise that there are some really fantastic, innovative and challenging voices out there. They just need to open their eyes and look beyond the Creative Writing degrees to find them.

As budding writers we all need to find strategies for incorporating our art into our often hectic lives. Check out Jacob Ross's Writing School for essential advice on how to do this and, in particular, on how to develop momentum on the page and sustain it. Jacob has inspired and encouraged us with his wise words for man issues now and I for one would like to thank him on behalf of all Calabash readers. We are looking forward to the book Jacob and wish you every success with it.

In this issue our cover story focuses on talented new writer Hisham Matar who discusses the balance of political history and fiction in his Booker prize nominated novel in the Country of Men. The interview with Libyan compatriot Taiseer Shelhi makes fascinating reading. Also in this issue journalist turned novelist Aminatta Forna talks to Calabash regular Elaine Williams about her journey on and off the page and veteran African author Ngugi Wa Thiongo tells Andrea Enisuoh why he thinks all art is an act of revolution. Safeena Chaudhry chats to Rabina Kahn about the conception of her independent publishing project Monsoon Press in our Project Focus, plus we continue to celebrate new writing - our New Fiction and New Poetry sections feature the talents of novelist Susan Yearwood and poet Rowyda Amin respectively. Both writers have bright futures ahead of them so watch this space, as they say. We round off the issue with an insight into the world of the irrepressible literature activist and writer Sandra Agard in our Writer's Diary.

I close on a sad note with the news that Dike Omeje, performance poet, died in the middle of January. He was just 35 years old and will be remembered for being a continuous champion of the slam scene and for being an inspirational writer , performer and trailblazer for the poetry scene in Manchester and the North West. He will be missed by many. If you would like to become involved with Calabash or would like to subscribe to the magazine contact Centerprise Literature on 020 7249 6572 for details.