The Song of the Scars: launching my debut short story collection

There is something liberating about writing, about putting truth, pain, joy, and uncomfortable feelings on paper, so it can stay there for the world.

This year I did it. I launched a collection of short stories (in French, with the English version scheduled for mid-2026) rooted in our contemporary reality as Africans. What does a worker in international development feel like when faced with racism? What does an immigrant feel like in a new country? What does a child facing the consequences of climate change go through? The eight fictional stories in the collection, The Song of the Scars, are filled with characters we see, feel, know, and talk to every day. The fictional characters could speak to the silent scars of many.

The writing process took its time; I felt the pain I needed to feel. I went through the midnight euphoria of developing a story. I got goosebumps from my characters’ words and thoughts. I went through the questioning phase, wondering whether I could make it or if it was worth it. I felt them all, and they are people from my past, present, and future. With each story, there is even more to say and to feel. Each reader’s mind will complete the characters’ story based on their own realities. The common thread is that we recognize them in who we are as Africans. With each story, I hope that the reader is left with different possible endings and questions to ponder.

The launch was meant to spark debates and thoughts on who we are as Africans, what our issues are, where to find our solutions, and most importantly, what our space is in this ever-evolving world.

Africa is a continent of scars. Scars from war, pain, injustice, exploitation, and power grabs. While carrying the scars, which are marks of a warrior, we continue to press on.

Africa is a continent of songs, songs of joy, sorrow, pain, life, and history. Through melody, we transmit knowledge, secrets, wisdom and share pain while we build resilience.

Therefore, The Song of Scars.

Gratitude flows from this collection built over years of observations, meetings, and surroundings. Motivation flows from knowing that the words can contribute to conversations leading to development and cultural reforms. The optimist remains that more collections of stories will be published because I have many more stories to tell.

This process has reminded me once again that words have their space in shaping who we are and who we want to become. And for that, I will continue to write what I see and what I know.

There are many pathways to the Africa we want, and it needs the contributions of us all. My contribution is through my words.

Deborah Melom Ndjerareou