Stephen Embleton

“ SOCIAL MEDIA: your life is my entertainment. ”

"... nobody interviewed here remains untouched by the difficulties of being a South African writer. " Geoff Ryman gets stuck into the rocky South African landscape of SFF. The good and the bad and the realities for those trying to find their voice. Part 6: Cape Town Part ENDNOTE: EMBODYING THE DIVISION My first short story (Land of Light) was published in Malawi, the second (Veiled) in Nigeria, and finally the third (Water) in South Africa... "South African writers can find publication in other African countries, free from their country’s limitations. Nikhil Singh’s novel Taty Went West was first published by the Kwani Trust in Kenya. Omenana magazine recently published one of Toby Bennett’s stories, and The Ake Festival included a fine story by Stephen Embleton in its 2016 Festival publication." You find the right publisher for your pieces, rather than trying to be published in your home country. Don't get me wrong, getting that third story publ

The World Conference of Science Journalists was pretty much a whirlwind experience all around. Being invited, being on the panel, meeting interesting people and staying in one of the great US cities (on my bucket list) over the course of just a week was fun and exhausting to say the least. Jude Isabella and Corey Powell invited us to be pat of “The Rise of Digital Science Magazines” discussion and the format turned out to be a lot of fun and far more interactive than I expected. Pamela Weintraub did a great job of moderating, covering essential ground as well as checking in with Corey on questions from the audience sent direct to the screen in the front. Plus, I learned a lot from the other panelists - some new ideas and some things we have in common. The panel featured: Steven Bedard (Editor in Chief, bioGraphic),  Estrella Burgos (Editor in chief, ¿Como ves? Magazine),  Stephen Embleton (News network and online manager, Earth Touch News),  Amanda Mascarelli (Managin

Woohoo! Of the two short stories of mine that made the long list, the one I really wanted to make it in GOT IN - "Inktober". A touch of horror for a change of pace. Well done to Blaize Kaye on his win! And thanks to Nerine Dorman and the judges - Cat Hellisen, Dave de Burgh, Diane Awerbuck, Efemia Chela, Lauren Smith and Sarah Lotz. Find out more here.

"a futuristic tale that is bleak in every sense of the word" - Enkare Review Issue 1 Introduction My speculative fiction short story, "Sub Migratio", features in the launch issue (end April 2017). I will always be indebted to Troy and the Enkare team for their vote of confidence in my story to grace the pages of their first issue - and featuring a speculative fiction piece! Because the Enkare Review site has been unavailable, you can read ' Sub Migratio' here . Enkare Review Link: Read it here Share the love. Support Enkare Review as they begin the journey forward with African literature and African storytellers. Find Enkare Review on the  web ,  Facebook , and  Twitter . "Sub Migratio" Quote: "I can afford to die more than I can afford to live." Sub Migratio Review by Lillian Akampurira Aujo 3 May 2017 There is hope in the new generation. Josh will not be just ‘a statistic’. He will not stay alive ‘just to consu

First Published in 2016 in The Short Story is Dead, Long Live the Short Story! Volume 2  “A story that gave me that “aah” moment was Stephen Embleton’s Water. Water is a beautifully crafted story that explores grief. Without really mentioning death (I think it’s only brought up once), Water manages to pull us into what looks like a mundane morning routine but is, in fact, weighed heavily by the loss of a lifelong companion. This story is so well crafted that I return to it time and again. I deserves a special mention for its ability to quietly draw you into the world of its main character.” -  Introduction by Duduzile Zamantungwa Mabaso (Black Letter Media) WATER by Stephen Embleton Steam rose from the subsiding water of the bath, latching on to the cool glass of the windows and mirror over the sink. George gave the hot tap one last twist with his frail hand and leaned over to pick up the small tincture bottle of lavender from the side of the bath.  The lid unscrewed easily, having mad

"The Short Story is Dead, Long Live the Short Story!"  includes my short story  "Water" . Now Available to Read Here. “A story that gave me that “aah” moment was Stephen Embleton’s Water. Water is a beautifully crafted story that explores grief. Without really mentioning death (I think it’s only brought up once), Water manages to pull us into what looks like a mundane morning routine but is, in fact, weighed heavily by the loss of a lifelong companion. This story is so well crafted that I return to it time and again. I deserves a special mention for its ability to quietly draw you into the world of its main character.” -  Introduction by Duduzile Zamantungwa Mabaso (Black Letter Media) View on Amazon AVAILABLE HERE: Contributors:   Obinna Udenwe, Mapule Mohulatsi, Christine Coates, Thato Magano, Gugu Mary Tizita McLaren, Nkosithandile Peme, Adaobi Okwy, Evan Morris, Khalid Salleh, Pamela Moeng, Stephen Embleton

2015-2024 Fiction: 'Land of Light' : 'Imagine Africa 500' speculative fiction anthology (2015/2016) (Speculative Fiction). 8,000 words. Read more...   (Malawi)/(UK reprint 2017) 'Veiled ':  2016 'Beneath This Skin' Edition of Aké Review (2016) (Fiction). 1,450 words.  Read here...   (Nigeria) 'Water' : 'The Short Story is Dead, Long Live the Short Story! Vol.2' anthology (2017) (Fiction). 3,100 words.  Available on Amazon  or Read Online (South Africa) 'Sub Migratio' : the debut edition of Enkare Review (2017) (Speculative Fiction). 3,500 words.  Read here...   (Kenya) 'Inktober' : 2018 edition of 'The Bloody Parchment' (2018) (SF/Horror). 1,250 words.  Available on Amazon .  (South Africa) 'The Girl with Two Bodies' : The Kalahari Review (Nov 2018) (Fantasy). 7,050 words.  Read here...  (South Africa) 'Journal of a DNA Pirate' : Volume 3 of 'AfroSF' (Dec 2018) (SF). 8,150 words.  

The fact that an African based literary journal can start up in 2017 is both encouraging for African literature and encouraging to African writers. Having outlets for writers in Africa has never been more important as readers gain more access to written works than ever before. No longer relying on Western media and content creators gives Africans (at home and abroad) access to their own stories. Share the love. Support Enkare Review as they begin the journey forward with African literature and African storytellers. Find Enkare Review on the web , Facebook , and Twitter . My speculative fiction short story, 'Sub Migratio' , features in the launch issue (end April 2017). I will always be indebted to Troy and the Enkare team for their vote of confidence in my story to grace the pages of their first issue - and featuring a speculative fiction piece! "Sub Migratio" Quote: "I can afford to die more than I can afford to live." Because the En

I'm really proud to have my short story, "Land of Light", make the long list for the 2017 Nommo Awards. http://www.africansfs.com/nommos/nominations2017/nommoshort2017 Congrats to the short list finalists and good luck for November! Imagine Africa 500 - Speculative Fiction From Africa 3,000 Words

I'm really honored to be included in the 2016 "Beneath This Skin" edition of Aké Review (Aké Festival held in Abeokuta, Nigeria in November 2016). The theme's focus centered on issues around identity, race and individuality. My short story, Veiled , being my first non-speculative fiction published. Now available to read here. More to come in 2017...