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Ọna Anosike talks about her experience at Lesley University’s MFA program in creative writing, the many sources of inspiration for her fiction, and the work and passion that goes into setting up and running a literary journal.

ỌNA ANOSIKE – FICTION, JANUARY 2016 

Ọna Anosike is a fiction writer based in Brooklyn, NY, and Cambridge, MA. She graduated from Lesley University’s low-residency MFA program in January 2016. Ọna is the founder and chief editor of The TONIC, a literary journal focused on diverse voices and perspectives. Her writing delves into post-colonial themes and family dynamics, aiming to inspire positive change through stories that provoke reflection and discomfort. Ọna is currently working on a collection of short stories and continues to develop her craft while balancing her editorial work. In the meantime, check out her short story “The Return.”

Interview by Liz Shick

LS: Let’s start with the TONIC, the new literary journal affiliated with Lesley University’s MFA Program. You are both cofounder and managing editor of the TONIC. Can you give us a little background about its origin? Where did the idea for the journal come from and what is your vision for the project? 

ỌA: In 2020, the concept of the journal was introduced to me by Danielle Legros Georges, who was leading the MFA program at that time. She guided me and the previous co-founder through the initial process of designing and launching the journal. By 2023, it was just me for various reasons, but fortunately, Janet Pocorobba stepped up to continue guiding the process. I reconnected with my classmate at Lesley, Sarah Kilgallon, who took on the design of the journal, and A.J. Verdelle became our first Guest Editor. It all came full circle when I dedicated the inaugural issue to Danielle, whose vision made the TONIC possible. 

My vision for the TONIC is immense. This year, I plan to add merch and eventually expand into a brick-and-mortar experience. I envision the TONIC continuing to feature both emerging and established writers and visual artists. For our next issue, I’m excited to announce that Kyoko Mori will be the Guest Editor, and we have an incredible emerging Featured Visual Artist from Nigeria designing some pieces for us.

LS: How long did it take to get the TONIC up and running, and what did that entail? 

ỌA: The TONIC took years to launch, with COVID causing delays and people coming and going. 2023 was the year it finally came together. Leading any organization requires finding a team that aligns with your core values and work ethic. I’m still building the TONIC team, but I plan to move slowly and intentionally. I always dreamed of running a literary journal, but those dreams didn’t initially align with reality. Creating a journal involves a lot of unpaid work, so if you’re in it for monetary reasons, I don’t encourage you to pursue this path. Running a literary journal is purely out of love for the literary arts and providing opportunities for others. That’s truly why I continue to do it.

LS: Let’s pivot to your MFA experience. You graduated from Lesley University’s low-residency MFA program in creative writing in 2016. What was the most valuable takeaway from that experience? Is there any particular memory or piece of advice that has stayed with you?

ỌA: My MFA experience at Lesley was transformative. One of the most valuable takeaways was learning about creating scenes—understanding when they begin, how they end, and how to identify them. This concept, taught to me by A.J. Verdelle, has stayed with me. She left me with numerous gems that truly strengthened my writing chops, and I think her impeccable editing skills helped transform me from a novice writer to a more established one. Additionally, working with Kyoko Mori was immensely rewarding. Her feedback was always honest and direct, yet tactful and kind, which taught me the art of giving constructive feedback. Both A.J. Verdelle and Kyoko Mori played pivotal roles in improving my writing, they offered me incredible support and guidance throughout my MFA journey. I truly appreciate them and that’s what has stuck with me.

Former faculty A.J. Verdelle had a lasting influence on Ọna Anosike.

LS: I couldn’t agree more about Kyoko and A.J.! How has your writing life evolved since your MFA days? What keeps you motivated in the absence of MFA deadlines and assignments, and that precious exchange with mentors? 

ỌA: This is a great question! Honestly, my writing hasn’t evolved much since my MFA. My ideas have grown as I’ve gotten older, but the actual writing has taken a back seat. I still jot down drafts for short stories and the novel I’m working on, but finding the time to bring it all together has been tough. It’s frustrating because I know what I want to say, but life keeps getting in the way. During the MFA, the deadlines and the accountability kept me focused. Now, I really miss that structure and sense of urgency that pushed me to keep going.

Ọna at the Lesley study abroad program in Wales.

LS: I hear you! What first drew you to writing? Was there something or someone in particular that inspired you? 

ỌA: Storytelling has always been a part of me. Growing up, the elders in my family shared so many interesting stories with me and my siblings. They were animated, full of lessons, and action, and just told so well. I think that’s where it all started—stories would just well up inside me until they needed to get out on paper. As I got older, authors like Sharon G. Flake, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Chinua Achebe, Judy Blume, and Phillis Wheatley inspired me to write. But even with all those influences, storytelling is something that feels innate. It’s part of my family’s tradition, and I feel like I’m continuing that legacy whenever I write.

Zora Neale Hurston was a source of inspiration for Ọna Anosike.

LS: Do you find yourself drawn to particular themes in your writing? If so, what are they?

ỌA: I’m not sure if I’m drawn to a specific theme, but I do know that I want my stories to create positive change. For me, creating real, radical change through text requires making readers feel discomfort. I don’t write happy-go-lucky stories that make you feel good. Instead, I write stories that challenge you, make you uncomfortable, and push you to reflect. My goal is to get people thinking about things they might not normally consider, and hopefully, that discomfort leads to a desire for change.

LS: Are you working on any other writing-related project or projects, aside from the TONIC?

ỌA: I’ve been so busy lately that even working on the TONIC has been a lot to manage. I have a lot of goals I want to achieve, but right now, the TONIC is where my focus is when it comes to writing. I still jot down ideas and create my own version of an outline for stories, but that’s all I’ve been able to do for now. Eventually, though, I plan to present my collection of short stories to the world—when the time is right.

LS: What advice do you have for those who have recently graduated from an MFA program or are just starting their writing journey?

ỌA: Don’t be like me and get caught up in too many dreams and desires that pull you away from writing. If you want to be a writer, focus on that and commit to it. Also, be a lifelong learner—your education doesn’t stop when you graduate. One of the most important things you’ll need to learn is not to take rejection personally. It can feel draining, but rejection happens to all of us, and it’s part of the process. Don’t let it discourage you; just keep going.

Click here to read The Return by Ọna Anosike in The Offing!

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