Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ, also spelled Chikodili Emelumadu, is a British Nigerian speculative fiction writer.
Early life and education Emelumadu was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, and was raised in Awka, Nigeria. She is of Igbo heritage. Emelumadu was educated at two Nigerian boarding schools before attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University, graduating with a BA in English language and literature. She later returned to England in 2004 to study for a Master's degree in Cross Cultural Communication and International Relations at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, as well as a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Harlow College. Career Emelumadu worked for some time as a journalist for BBC World Service before quitting at the age of 27 to pursue writing fiction full time.
Emelumadu's short story "Candy Girl" was shortlisted for the Shirley Jackson Awards (2015). Her work has also been shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing (2017 for "Bush Baby" and 2020 for "What to do when your child brings home a Mami Wata"), and a Nommo award (2020). In 2019, she won the inaugural Curtis Brown First Novel prize for her manuscript entitled Dazzling, receiving a cash prize of in addition to representation from Curtis Brown agency. Dazzling was eventually published in 2023 and is praised for Emelumadu's use of "Igbo mythology, spirituality, and storytelling" in her writing.
Emelumadu served as juror for the Shirley Jackson Awards in 2018 and 2020.
Personal life As of 2024, Emelumadu lives in Newhaven, East Sussex in England with her children.
Selected bibliography Novels
Short stories
References