Nigeria’s Faridah Abike-Iyimide Gets a Million-Dollar Book Deal
“I was just a broke student writing to make myself some fictional friends”
Nigeria’s Faridah Abike-Iyimide recently agreed to a seven-figure book deal in the United States with a major publishing house for her captivating debut, “Ace of Spades “and an untitled novel. The million-dollar deal was announced by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. The much-anticipated thriller will be released on the 1st of June 2021 in North America from Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan and June 10th in the United Kingdom from Usborne Publishers.
Reas Also: To Kiki with Love by Feyisola Oyeti
“I’m so excited to be publishing ‘Ace of Spades’ with Macmillan! Immediately got the heart of my book, a love letter to queer Black teenagers who feel powerless and alone finally finding their voices,” Faridah Abike-Iyimide said, following the announcement.
Ace of Spades is an exciting high-school thriller with a shocking twist, drawn from the realities of institutional racism. The story is centred on two black students: Devon and Chiamaka at a predominantly white private school, in an undisclosed country and town. Both students were caught up at the centre of a disturbing and deadly game in their quest for the truth. Abike-Iyimide relates how the only two black students in the school fight for their reputation and their lives due to gossips spread through a mysterious source.
The young adult author describes the novel as:
“Embodying themes that I am very passionate about, such as homophobia in the black community, institutional racism and the diversity of thought amongst black people.”
Abike-Iyimide said, she was inspired by fascinating TV shows like Gossip Girl, Get Out and Veronica Mars and had always imagined a Black version of it. She said,
“I hope readers in the U.S see that Black people belong in stories like ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Pretty Little Liars’, and that above everything else we deserve happy endings.”
Abike-Iyimide has always wanted to write books about black kids either saving or destroying the world.
Currently studying English Literature in Scotland, she expressed that her 28-day experience at “a predominantly white University” informed her first draft of her debut, Ace of Spades.
The young author secured an agent and a UK book deal with Usborne Publishers in 2018 and worked with her editor, Becky Walker for two years before it was submitted to the United States and discovered by Macmillan. Usborne described Ace of Spades as “Gossip Girl Meets Get Out” and relates it to the difficulties black students encounter in their quest for life and survival.
“At once peeling back the layers that can mask the magnitude of systematic racism, while simultaneously weaving a nail-bitingly-plotted story that keeps you guessing from beginning to end, Faridah is nothing short of exceptional. We know that Faridah has a glittering future ahead of her, and we couldn’t be more proud to be her publisher.”
Abike-Iyimide expressed on her website that she never expected having a huge deal like this. She said,
“Often in Publishing, a lot of black authors don’t get the support so it was just so lovely to see them not lowball me. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share this story and have others see themselves for the first time in these characters.”
Abike-Iyimide sees Ace of Spade as her letter to kids who are in love with mysteries and thriller. Through the book, she sees to send hope to black kids and most importantly, to make black people see that they deserve to be happy.
Congratulations to Faridah Abike-Iyimide, we wish her more success.