Kola Heyward-Rotimi ’16 recently published his first short story. He is currently working on his first novel. Photo by Karly Andreassen ’16

Kola Heyward-Rotimi
Author of “The Father,” recently published in Clarkesworld Magazine. Currently working on his first novel, The Queen of Gosnter.

Kola Heyward-Rotimi, a senior at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, can now add “published author” to his resume. His first short story, “The Father,” appeared in Clarkesworld, a Hugo Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine, this fall. We asked Heyward-Rotimi to share a little more about the experience.

On the process of publishing, and how it feels to be a published writer:

I learned about Clarkesworld over a year ago, actually. I have been reading their pieces since I learned about the magazine, but I have only submitted once before. That was around November 2014, and I was rejected. In September of 2015 I tried again, and my piece “The Father” was accepted.

It feels amazing to be validated as a published writer. Because of how professional a market Clarkesworld is, I am now an official member of the Science Fiction Writers of America. Also being the youngest author to be published by Clarkesworld made this whole event that much more special. 

Hometown: 

Durham

Favorite class at NCSSM: 

Southern Literature

Dream job: 

Software developer

Best tip for avoiding procrastination: 

Blocking Facebook and Reddit.

Favorite food: 

Dodo (fried plantain)

Secret talent:

I dabble in cryptography.

What I’m reading right now: 

The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler

 

Read Heyward-Rotimi’s short story or listen to the podcast from Clarkesworld Magazine.

 

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• January 19, 2016
• student profiles humanities student achievements