Today we’d like to introduce you to Bibiana Ossai.
Hi Bibiana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Nigerian-born writer and creative currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. I moved to the U.S. in 2018 to pursue my MFA in Creative Writing at Long Island University, Brooklyn. That transition—from Nigeria to New York—marked the beginning of a new chapter. I took my first job in the U.S. as a writing tutor at the university’s writing center, where I worked with students across disciplines. That role not only deepened my love for language but also taught me how to connect with diverse voices through writing.
After earning my MFA, I was accepted into the PhD program in Creative Writing (Fiction) at Texas Tech University, where I taught courses in college rhetoric, composition, and fiction writing. I also served as Managing Editor of Iron Horse Literary Magazine, leading a team of associate editors, curating content, and managing national contests. I moved from Lubbock to Atlanta in September 2024 to focus more intentionally on my creative goals.
Currently, I work as a freelance web designer, beta reader, and fiction writer. I’m working toward traditional publication and remain passionate about storytelling that centers identity, memory, migration, and cultural nuance. My writing has been featured in publications like Kalahari Review, The Dark Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and African Writer Magazine.
My work has been recognized with honors including a Dzanc Poetry Prize longlisting, finalist placements in the WOW! Women on Writing contest and the Voyage Anthology, and fellowships like the Anaphora Summer Writing Residency. I’ve also received awards and scholarships such as the Bruce G. and Cara Pollard Herlin Scholarship and the Marilyn Boutwell Graduate Award in Fiction.
I currently volunteer in the Productions Department at Free Chapel, where I blend creative expression with spiritual and community engagement.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. As an international student, I faced a lot of limitations that made it difficult to access opportunities others might take for granted—whether it was internships, fellowships, or even certain residencies. I was constantly navigating visa restrictions and asking, “Am I even allowed to apply for this?” It created a lot of stress and uncertainty, even as I was trying to build a future in writing and academia.
In the publishing space, being an underrepresented writer—especially as a Black woman and African creative—comes with its own set of challenges. There are often narrow expectations around what kinds of stories we’re “allowed” to tell, and it can be disheartening to face silence or vague rejections when querying agents. It sometimes feels like your voice is invisible, even when your story is valid and necessary.
Despite all this, I’ve learned to stay grounded in my purpose. I keep writing because I believe in the power of my stories—and because I know that others like me deserve to be seen, heard, and published.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now, I work as a freelance creative—I write, copyedit, and design websites for fellow creatives, NGOs, and small business/entrepreneurs. But at the heart of everything I do is storytelling. I write across genres: literary fiction, grounded narratives, poetry, and creative nonfiction—as well as speculative, dark fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi/cli-fi. I’m drawn to stories that stretch the imagination and those rooted deeply in the everyday.
A lot of my work explores themes like memory, identity, migration, and cultural inheritance. Whether I’m writing a quiet, reflective story or building an eerie, surreal world, I always try to center emotional truth and human complexity.
I’ve had work published in journals like The Dark Magazine, Kalahari Review, and Flash Fiction Magazine, and I’ve been honored with fellowships and awards like the Dzanc Poetry Prize longlist and the Anaphora Writing Fellowship.
What makes my work unique is how I blend genres and perspectives—I bring a diasporic lens to everything I write, whether it’s a contemporary story or speculative fiction, and I try to create work that feels both intimate and expansive. I’m currently working toward traditional publication, and I’m excited to keep telling stories that challenge, comfort, and linger.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’d say the most important qualities behind my journey have been faith, resilience, consistency, and self-belief—and honestly, they all connect for me.
My relationship with God has been at the core of everything. There have been seasons where I had no idea how things would work out—financially, emotionally, or creatively—but my faith has always grounded me. It reminds me that I’m not walking this path alone, even when it feels uncertain or delayed. That spiritual foundation gives me the strength to keep going, even when doors don’t open right away.
Resilience has also been key. There’ve been setbacks, disappointments, and plenty of waiting seasons, especially in academia and the publishing world. But each challenge has taught me how to bounce back with more grace and determination.
Consistency helps me stay committed to the work—even when no one’s watching—and self-belief is what keeps me writing the kinds of stories I care about, not just what’s trendy or expected.
Together, those qualities help me stay grounded, focused, and hopeful. They remind me that the journey doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.
Pricing:
- Website Design: $500 – $1,500 (Pricing depends on site complexity, number of pages, and any custom features needed.)
- Beta Reading: $45 – $500 (Rates vary based on word count, turnaround time, and depth of feedback requested.)
- Editing (Developmental/Line Editing): $100 – $700 (Pricing depends on word count and the level of editing required.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bibianaossai.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bibianaossai/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibiana-ossai/
- Twitter: https://x.com/BibianaOssai
Image Credits
Personal Photos by Meagan O Photography and my brother
