Interview With Author Collins Oseji
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Collins Oseji is a Nigerian author of romantic suspense and speculative fiction. His stories explore the emotional terrain of memory, love, and identity often set in richly imagined near future worlds. With lyrical prose and cinematic storytelling, Robert crafts unforgettable journeys where the heart and mind collide. His debut novel, The Memory Thief, is a haunting tale of erased love and reclaimed truth.
“I write to remember what the world tries to forget.” I have written two books
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is “THE MEMORY THIEF”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do, actually. I write with music playing but not just any music. I match playlists to the emotional tone of the scene I’m working on. If it’s a heartbreak moment, I’ll loop soft piano or ambient rain sounds. If it’s a romantic breakthrough, I’ll switch to soul or acoustic love songs. It’s like scoring a movie in real time. Also, I tend to write dialogue out loud first almost like rehearsing a play because I want it to sound natural and alive. And sometimes, I bake while brainstorming. There’s something about kneading dough that helps me untangle plot knots.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been shaped by authors who write with emotional honesty and cultural depth. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun taught me the power of layered storytelling and how silence can speak louder than dialogue. Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist reminded me that purpose often hides in detours. I also draw strength from Toni Morrison’s work her prose is both poetic and piercing, and she showed me that writing can be both beautiful and brave. More recently, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀’s Stay With Me influenced how I approach vulnerability in fiction. These voices gave me permission to write stories like Hearts in the Oven where healing, heritage, and heartache all share the same page.
What are you working on now?
The Memory Thief
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesomegang.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors is simple: write boldly, edit patiently, and publish bravely. Don’t wait for perfection wait for honesty. The most compelling stories aren’t flawless, they’re fearless. Protect your writing time like it’s sacred, because it is. Read widely, especially outside your genre. And most importantly, trust your voice. You don’t need permission to be a writer you just need persistence.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is: ‘Write what breaks you, then write what heals you.’ It taught me that storytelling isn’t just about entertainment it’s about truth. As a writer, I’ve learned that the most meaningful stories come from the places we’re afraid to revisit. But when we do, we don’t just create fiction we create connection. That advice shaped Hearts in the Oven, and it continues to guide every word I write.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading stories that challenge me emotionally and creatively. I’ve been revisiting The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho it’s a reminder that every journey, even the uncertain ones, carries purpose. I’m also exploring The Art of Character by David Corbett to deepen my understanding of how to build emotionally rich protagonists. And I’ve started reading Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, which beautifully captures the tension between tradition and personal desire. Each book is teaching me something new about storytelling, about humanity, and about myself as a writer.
What’s next for you as a writer?
LooGrowth. I’m diving deeper into stories that explore healing, identity, and the quiet power of everyday love. Hearts in the Oven was just the beginning it taught me how words can nourish and restore. Now, I’m working on my next novel, which will stretch me emotionally and creatively. I’m also building my publishing brand on Amazon, mentoring new writers, and creating space for African stories to thrive globally. The goal isn’t just to write books it’s to build bridges through storytelling.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring 3 or 4 books, I’d choose stories that feed both the soul and the craft. First, I’d take The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho a reminder that every journey has meaning, even the ones that feel like detours. Second, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, because her wisdom on writing and life would keep me sane and inspired. Third, Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for its emotional depth, cultural resonance, and masterful storytelling. And finally, I’d bring my own book, Hearts in the Oven not out of vanity, but to remind myself of where I started, and the stories still waiting to be told.
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