Languages of Water

Languages of Water is a rare but intimate fusion of East, West and Africa, a stunning artefact of writerly immersion and cultural exchange. This child of digital collaboration brings together writers, illustrators and translators of poetry, fiction and essays, and refuses to be contained.

In a playful interrogation of French literary theorist, critic and philosopher Roland Barthes' le plaisir du texte and death of the author, Languages of Water opens with the homing story 'When the Water Stops'. Cross-cultural creators interpret the story in different forms of itself, offering subversive fiction, poetry, essays, monochrome graphics, sudden fiction, and translations of the homing story in English, Swahili, French, Cantonese, Malay, Vietnamese and Bengali.

A bold and exceptional offering edited by World Fantasy Award finalist and award-winning author Eugen Bacon—an Otherwise Fellowships honouree for 'doing exciting work in gender and speculative fiction'. Featuring works by acclaimed and award-winning authors, essayists, translators, scholars and artists.