iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

In the mood for a space opera spy thriller this weekend? There are now two signed copies of THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY @greenapplebooks.bsky.social in SFO!

Picture of two signed copies of The Splinter in the Sky on the local authors shelf

Picture of the Green Apple Books sign, with the outline of a little neon green apple curving around the words

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

It's officially spooky season! If you're looking for sci-fi horror, I've got a novella about a group of scientists and soldiers attempting to colonize a sentient planet. Unfortunately for them, their new home can and will fight back... bookshop.org/p/books/this...

Cover of This World Is Not Yours by Timo Noack. A white man in a biohazard suit and way too many teeth grins nefariously into the distance. Bioluminescent alien plants provide some background lighting

The main characters, from right to left: Vinh (a tall, muscular Vietnamese woman), Amara (a short Black woman in a lab coat and pink blouse), and Jesse (a tall white man in a lab coat and graphic tee), standing in front of a lush rainforest view. Art by @Eepz on Twitter/X.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Heyo! Are you into science-fantasy standalones about tearing down empires? Welllll there are now signed copies of THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY and THE KING MUST DIE at @vromansbookstore.bsky.social in Pasadena, where I had my very first book launch! Get ‘em while they’re hot!

Picture of The King Must Die and The Splinter in the Sky side by side. The King Must Did cover features a black woman with gray hair standing before a crowd of ghostly figures wielding swords. The art was done by Eleonor Piteira. The Splinter in the Sky cover shows a short-haired black woman standing before a reflective black prism with stars and planets floating behind it. The art was done by Andis Reinbergs.

Picture of the entrance to Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena. I had my very first book launch here!

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

All empires end. THE KING MUST DIE is a science fantasy novel about a reluctant rebel on a quest to save her friends, even if that means teaming up with one of their greatest enemies. There’s now a signed copy @booksinc.bsky.social in SFO by the D gate entrance! (I’m omw to my very first WorldCon!)

Cover of The King Must Die by the phenomenal Eleanor Pitera. A Black woman with dark skin and gray hair in a red dress stands before a desert landscape filled with ghostly figures.

Picture of the Books Inc sign in SFO—a yellow sun on a white background

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Heyo! I’m doing a giveaway for both BEING ARO and my sci-fi horror novella! I’ll send my full zine collection to 3 people and a signed hardcover copy of BEING ARO to 1. To enter: ✨ add both THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS and BEING ARO to GR/Storygraph ✨ repost this Winners will be chosen on 8/28!

Graphic showing comp titles for This World Is Not Yours: Dawn by Octavia Butler, Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, Scavengers Reign, Princess Mononoke, Challengers, Swarm, Kill Bill by SZA

Cover of Being Aro, showing a dark-haired person pointing back an arrow; all in shades of green, gray, white, and black

Picture of a zine: “Stories from the Vault: AKA old stuff that will never see the light of day”

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Hey, I'm Kemi! I'm a sci-fi writer, grad student, shortbread enthusiast, and amateur kazooist from California. I write queer multicultural science fiction, sometimes with a dash of horror. Here are my books! bookshop.org/beta-search?...

Cover of The Splinter in the Sky, by Andis Reinbergs. A Black woman with dark skin and short hair in a green tunic faces a huge diamond-shaped structure (the Splinter), behind which float stars and planets.

Cover of The King Must Die by Eleonor Piteira. A Black woman with dark skin and gray hair in a long rust-orange tunic stands before a crowd of sword-wielding ghosts under an alien sky (a huge sun, two moons, rings), holding a staff.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Heyo! The Literary Auction for Change is open, with agent critiques, signed copies, book swag, and more up for grabs. And all funds help support diversity in the publishing industry! I'm offering a 30-min AMA, which can also double as a short story critique: www.32auctions.com/organization...

Graphic: "A bookish auction fundraising for literary agents of change, and all volunteer nonprofit. We offer fellowship and mentorship programs geared towards improving access and retention for literary agents from under representative groups working in publishing."

Graphic: "I donated to the literary auction for change. auction runs between June 8 to June 12."

Graphic: "When marginalized agents have a seat at the table, it creates a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry, where marginalized authors can find passionate advocates. Together, we hope that every reader will have the chance to open a book, and see themselves."

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Happy Friday! There are signed copies of THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY (a tea specialist-turned-assassin embarks on a dangerous rescue mission) and THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS (scientists & soldiers try colonizing a sentient planet, but their new home fights back) @greenapplebooks.bsky.social in SFO airport!

Picture of bookshelf at Green Apple Books, with This World Is Not Yours at the center. The cover shows a white ma in a hazmat suit, grinning eerily at the viewer.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Heyo! It‘s Independent Bookstore Day! If you’d like a signed copy of any of my books, @booksinc.bsky.social in Palo Alto has all three of them!

Picture of the top shelf of the sci-fi section, showing The King Must Die, This World Is Not Yours, and The Splinter in the Sky.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Just passed through @greenapplebooks.bsky.social in SFO! 🌙 THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY: a tea specialist-turned-spy embarks on a quest to rescue her sibling. In space! 🪐 THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS: scientists and soldiers try to colonize a sentient planet 🌌 Plus THE DEEP SKY by @yumewrites.bsky.social!

Picture of a shelf of signed books at Green Apple Books in San Francisco International Airport, ft. The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei and This World Is Not Yours by yours truly

Picture of 2 signed copies of The Splinter in the Sky by yours truly

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Having someone like my characters enough to draw them has been my biggest personal author goal since I started writing professionally, and I’d basically given up on it. I need a moment

Teary-eyed cat. I’m not crying you’re crying!!

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Heyo! If you're looking for an awesome multi-genre collection of aromantic fiction, BEING ARO is now available on NetGalley! My story, "Preservation," follows a disowned aristocrat-turned-activist determined to protect an endangered species on her homeworld, no matter the cost...

Graphic showing off the gorgeous cover of Being Aro, which is now available on NetGalley! An archer with light green skin and black har directs an arrow into the sky.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

There are a bunch of signed copies of THE KING MUST DIE at @booksinc.bsky.social in Palo Alto—along with a stack of free zines I left on the counter!

Cover of The King Must Die by Eleanor Piteira. A Black woman with gray hair stands before a ghostly crowd of warriors. 2 moons and a huge yellow sun glow in the sky above.

Picture of one of my zines: “Stories from the Vault: AKA old stuff that’ll never see the light of day”

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

In the mood for a space opera adventure reviewers have affectionately called “tear-apart-the-empire-with-your-bare-hands wish fulfillment”? THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY eBook is currently 1.99 *again*! ✨ bookshop.org/p/books/the-... ✨ www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...

Illustration of Enitan (a Black woman with brown skin and short black hair in a green tunic) and her sibling Xiang (a Chinese person in a reddish-brown tunic) by @ashcremated on Tumblr.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Happy New Year's Eve, y'all!! This just in: THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY is 1.99 on Bookshop and Rakuten Kobo too! ✨ Bookshop: bookshop.org/p/books/the-... ✨ Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Woah, this is news to me! Hey, peeps! My very first book is currently on sale for just 2 bucks! Both the eBook AND the hardcover, apparently? It's about a tea specialist-turned-assassin who embarks on an epic quest to rescue her kidnapped sibling... in SPACE. Also HAPPY NEW YEAR! amzn.to/3N13YcS

Cover of The Splinter in the Sky. A Black woman in a green, gold-embroidered tunic and yellow pants faces a huge floating monolith.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Heyo! The annual Barnes & Noble pre-order sale is here! Nearly all upcoming books are 25% off... including BEING ARO, a collection of aromantic stories about love, connection, and empowerment, edited by @rosieethor.bsky.social & @madelinetheauthor.bsky.social! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/being-aro-...

Graphic for the B&N preorder sale featuring the Being Aro cover, which depicts a dark-haired, medium-complexioned person drawing an arrow over a lime-green cover.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

🌌 A tea specialist-turned-assassin embarks on a quest to rescue her sibling. 🪐 Scientists & soldiers try to colonize a planet, only to discover their new home can fight back. There are a few signed copies of THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY and THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS at @greenapplebooks.bsky.social in SFO!

Cover of The Splinter in the Sky. A Black woman in a green tunic stands in front of a huge floating diamond-shaped structure reflecting the starscape before her.

Cover of This World Is Not Yours. A white man in personal protective equipment stands among lush bioluminescent foliage, grinning into the distance.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

THE KING MUST DIE has been out for a whole month! To celebrate, I’m giving away 3 signed + personalized author copies. To enter, repost this and comment below with the last great story you read!

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Starting your holiday shopping and looking for new books? You can grab a signed copy of THE KING MUST DIE in-person at @booksinc.bsky.social (Palo Alto) or Walden Pond (Oakland), or order from Noe Valley Books (SF)! noevalleybooks.com/list/kemi-as...

Cover of TKMD by the fantastic Eleonor Pitera (https://eleonorpiteira.squarespace.com/). A Black woman in a red tunic stands before a crowd of ghostlike figures holding swords.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Woe, free audiobook be upon ye! I just got author links for the audiobook of The King Must Die and I've decided to share. Y'all don't even need to do anything to get 'em. Links below, one download each. First come, first served. [1/2]

Woe, The King Must Die audiobook be upon ye! It's that one Eminem meme of him throwing something, and the something is my third book :)

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Hi! There are a TON of signed copies of THE KING MUST DIE and THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS at Books Inc. in Palo Alto! What are they about, you ask? TKMD is about a reluctant rebel who teams up with a necromancer to save her friends, and TWINY is about a doomed colonization project on a sentient planet.

Cover of The King Must Die (a science fantasy novel)

Cover of This World Is Not Yours (a science-fiction horror novella)

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

On a planet damaged by rushed terraforming, a bodyguard-turned-reluctant rebel joins the last dregs of her parents’ failed uprising... THE KING MUST DIE is out today! If you love stories about found families, revolutions, and second chances, this book’s for you.

Cover for THE KING MUST DIE, illustrated by the amazing Eleonor Piteira.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Twenty years ago, her parents’ rebellion failed. This is the story of what happened after. THE KING MUST DIE comes out tomorrow! bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Drawing showing the two main characters of the book, Fen and Alekhai, back to back, facing off against hidden enemies. Art by Eepz.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Hey folks! The King Must Die comes out in two days! (AHH) Here's a blurb from the incredible @yumewrites.bsky.social, author of The Deep Sky, The Stardust Grail, and Saltcrop. Please consider requesting TKMD at your local library!

Graphic showing a snippet of a blurb from author Yume Kitasei: “Ashing-Giwa demonstrates her master worldbuilding skills in her new dystopian science fantasy, The King Must Die. A stunning, continually surprising novel focused on friendship and the value of resisting autocracy even when it seems hopeless – it’s everything I need right now.”

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Just 3 days before THE KING MUST DIE comes out! I'm thrilled to share these very kind words from @hanalee.bsky.social, author of the Magebike Courier duology! Preorder TKMD: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ki... ...then grab a free digital poster by Eepz: www.simonandschuster.com/p/the-king-m...

Graphic with blurb snippet from author Hana Lee: “The world of The King Must Die is a shattered, starving place, and yet the scenery and culture are so lush with detail that every description felt like a feast. Fen, the novel’s protagonist, is friendless and alone–but the people she bonds with along the road to revolution are everything an SFF reader hopes for when they hear the words “found family.” ...The King Must Die begins as a whisper and swells into a war cry.”

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! 🎃 🦇 👻 No tricks here, only treats: in just four days, THE KING MUST DIE will be out in the world, and I’ve got a new blurb to share from @authortachan.bsky.social! Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/books/219bde... Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...

Graphic showing a blurb snippet from author T.A. Chan: “ The King Must Die seizes you by the throat and doesn't let go until the very last page… Filled with complex political intrigue, a scrappy band of found family, and an exploration of power and the sacrifices that go hand-in-hand with it, this book will linger in your mind long after the end. Kemi Ashing-Giwa always delivers an exceptional sci-fi!"

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

THE KING MUST DIE hits shelves in less than a week!! Here's what @karenjbao.bsky.social, author of Pangu's Shadow and The Dove Chronicles, had to say about the book! You can preorder it from a local indie bookstore here: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Graphic with blurb from author Karen Bao: "I love The King Must Die. This story is a wild ride through empire, history, and an endlessly interesting world grounded by the very real friendships at the center."

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Here's the second (and very generous) review of THE KING MUST DIE, which hits shelves in less than two weeks! www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews... Interested? You can preorder it here: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Graphic with the book's cover art as the background and a snippet of the Kirkus review: "Ashing-Giwa has created a world run by imperial technocrats who bleed their planet dry of its resources at the expense of their poorer neighbors’ lives. Although the technology sometimes feels indistinguishable from magic, the novel is deeply rooted in science fiction, and it never strays too far from those roots.... A bold and refreshing new SF adventure from one of this generation’s writers to watch.”

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Hey BlueSky! On Friday, November 14th, my friend Béline and I will be chatting with a bunch of fantastic Bay Area authors at Fireside Books in Redwood City! RSVP here: luma.com/pk9do4vh

Poster for the event featuring the authors (Julia Vee, Nihkil Prabala, Julie Leong, Janie Kim, Millie Abecassis, and Janie Kim) and the moderators (Beline Falzon and me!)

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Heyo! On Tuesday, 11/4 join me and *the* @hanalee.bsky.social at Books Inc. for THE KING MUST DIE’s book launch!

Graphic showing TKMD cover on a starry blue background, noting the event's start time at 7PM and location at Books Inc. in Palo Alto.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

BEING ARO is a multi-genre collection of short fiction that shines a light on aromantic relationships and experiences, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it! Also, you can get it 25% off if you pre-order through Barnes & Noble during the next 3 days! 💚 www.barnesandnoble.com/w/being-aro-...

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

My next novel, THE KING MUST DIE, comes out from @sagapressbooks.bsky.social this November. And now it has its first review! www.publishersweekly.com/9781668061015 You can preorder it here! www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ki...

Image showing Fen, the main character from the novel, with a few lines from the starred Publishers Weekly review: "Ashing-Giwa wows in this brilliantly immersive novel set 500 years after humanity left Earth to begin again on Newearth, an exodus enabled by the help of mysterious aliens known as the Makers. Despite the new lease on life offered by this opportunity, impatient settlers recklessly sped up the terraforming process, leading to dire environmental consequences felt in the present day... Ashing-Giwa’s dystopian
sci-fi worldbuilding is staggering, and her heroine proves easy to root for. Readers will be enthralled.”

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Preorder links for THE KING MUST DIE, my science fantasy novel about found family, revolution, and second chances are live! Submit receipts via this form to receive a digital poster, drawn by the incredible Eepz. www.simonandschuster.com/p/the-king-m...

Digital poster promotion. The poster, featuring the four main characters of The King Must Die, was drawn by the incredible Eepz! They're on Twitter/X and Tumblr.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

THE KING MUST DIE comes out in just a few months! I’m doing a giveaway for a signed ARC, plus a @sagapressbooks.bsky.social tote bag and bookmark. To enter, repost this + share the title of the last great book you read below! The winner will be chosen at random on 7/28.

Saga Press tote bag + bookmark, ARC of The King Must Die

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

After a devastating battle, a reluctant rebel is forced to work with a dangerous enemy to save their world. In the mood for a book about found family, fighting technofascism, and second chances? There are 100 free copies of The King Must Die available on GR: www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

The Splinter in the Sky is somehow two years old! Please enjoy this lovely drawing of Enitan and Xiang by the unbelievably talented @ashcremated on Tumblr.

Illustration of Enitan (right) and Xiang (left), two of the main characters of The Splinter in the Sky. Enitan is a Black woman with short black hair and warm brown skin. She wears a green tunic with a patterned shoulder scarf. Xiang is an East Asian person with shoulder-length black hair and light copper skin. They wear a reddish-brown tunic with a slightly darker gilet. They're drinking tea together.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Heyo! If you love all things sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, the 2025 @locusmag.bsky.social fundraiser is now live! Snag a PDF of all the deleted scenes from This World Is Not Yours (plus commissioned art), available as a thank you gift for your donation! www.indiegogo.com/projects/loc...

Jesse, Amara, and Vinh from This World Is Not Yours

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Hello! Chapter 510 and @sistahscifi.bsky.social are holding a benefit on April 29 in Oakland featuring the incredible @nnedi.bsky.social! Proceeds will go toward supporting free writing and publishing programs for Black, brown, and queer youth. Get tickets here: www.chapter510.org/events/chapt...

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

I’m absolutely thrilled to reveal the cover of THE KING MUST DIE, my new science fantasy novel about found family, revolution, and second chances. The incredible artist, Eleonor Piteira, included so many little details from the book! Out from @sagapressbooks.bsky.social this October!

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Yes! Absolutely!!! I'd be honored! (And if you take pictures, please share them with me!)

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 10/09/2024

THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS, my sci-fi horror novella about jealousy, rage, remorse, and a beautiful, murderous, sentient planet, is out in the world today!

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 31/08/2024

THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS hits shelves in just 10 days! us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

Books, movies, TV shows, and a song that influenced my debut novella, explore similar themes, and/or have a similar vibe: Scavengers Reign, Annihilation, "Kill Bill" by SZA, Princess Mononoke, Dawn, Swarm, Challengers.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 13/08/2024

THE SPLINTER IN THE SKY is out today in trade paperback! www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Sp... To celebrate, here’s some of the art I drew while writing it:

Enitan, the protagonist. A Black woman with short black hair, dark brown skin, medium brown eyes, gold earrings, and a yellow-and-green shirt.

Ajana, Enitan’s on-again, off-again lover. A Black woman with shoulder-length black braids, dark brown eyes and skin, heavy gold earrings, and a high-collared orange blouse.

Xiang, Enitan’s sibling. An East Asian nonbinary person with black hair and eyes, medium-tan skin, dangly red earrings, an orange turtleneck, and red tunic.

Menkhet, the deuteragonist. A Black woman with long black braids, medium-brown skin, black eyes, a shiny black circlet, and an intricate doublet.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 02/07/2024

THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS is a sci-fi horror mashup about a group of scientists and soldiers who discover a terrifying secret about the new planet they call home. Now it has its second official review! You can preorder it here: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 30/05/2024

My debut novella, THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS, comes out from Tor Nightfire this September. And now it has its first review! www.libraryjournal.com/review/this-... You can preorder it here! us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS. It’s theirs. Tor Nightfire/Macmillan. This year. Art by Eepz.

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Kemi Ashing-Giwa @kashinggiwa.bsky.social · 24/10/2023

A reluctant bodyguard gets caught up in the reboot of her parents' failed uprising. Everyone’s probably going to die, but hey, alien-blessed necromancers are a thing! The King Must Die, my enemies-to-besties SF novel about revolution & found family comes out from @sagapressbooks.bsky.social in 2025.

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