Witsprouts Books has acquired “I Cry at the Feet of My Other Body,” the debut short story collection by Nigerian writer Mustapha Enesi.

The collection, which blends realism with elements of the surreal, presents a deeply moving exploration of womanhood, touching on themes of motherhood, grief, sexuality, and defiance against patriarchal structures.

Enesi describes his work as “a literary multiverse,” where interconnected narratives unfold subtly, offering a portrait of the human experience. His stories give voice to women navigating societal constraints while seeking love, acceptance, and personal liberation.

This latest milestone adds to Enesi’s growing literary reputation. Winner of the 2021 Awele Creative Trust Award for his short story Safety Pins Are Good Omens and the K & L Prize for African Literature, he has also been shortlisted for the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize. His fiction has appeared in The Maine Review, Litro Magazine, Transition Magazine, and Kalahari Review, among others.

For Witsprouts Books, acquiring Enesi’s debut aligns with its broader vision.

According to Tope Akintayo, Publishing Director at Witsprouts Books, “Mustapha’s work is urgent, lyrical, and fearless. Our mission is to spotlight the most compelling Black voices in literature, and “I Cry at the Feet of My Other Body” is precisely the kind of work we champion—rich, thought-provoking, and deeply resonant.”

Witsprouts Books continues to establish itself as a home for bold and innovative storytelling. With Enesi also contributing to the publisher’s 2024 anthology Love Grows Stronger in Death, the literary world is set to see more from this rising talent.

The collection is scheduled for publication later this year.