Paperworth Books has announced the acquisition of the African rights to Ajébutter Women, a compelling short story collection by acclaimed author and cultural critic Itoro Bassey. The collection, which was awarded the W.S. Porter Prize in Fiction, is scheduled for release across the continent in the first quarter of 2027.
Ajébutter Women offers an intimate exploration of the inner lives of women of Nigerian origin, navigating the complexities of identity across different generations and continents. The stories move fluidly between Nigeria and the West, following daughters who are often torn between the mythologies of “home” and the realities of their present lives.
Through Bassey’s lens, the collection probes the contradictions of middle-class Nigerian life, where ambition is shaped by migration and intimacy is often constrained by duty. At its core, the work asks a radical question: what happens when daughters begin to question the worlds they were raised to protect?
Itoro Bassey is a celebrated writer whose work examines the emotional and psychological inheritances of African diasporic women. Her writing has appeared in prestigious publications such as Prairie Schooner, Fence and The Independent.
A former BBC and Arise News producer, Bassey has received numerous accolades, including A Pushcart Prize nomination, The Prairie Schooner award and fellowships from the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study and the Edward F. Albee Foundation.
She is also the author of Faith and the creator of Africanish, a Substack focused on diasporic identity and gender. Bassey currently divides her time between the United States and Africa.
Paperworth Books is dedicated to amplifying bold and transformative voices from Africa and its diaspora. The publisher remains committed to championing stories that challenge traditional narratives and achieve literary excellence.
