Nii Ayikwei Parkes is primarily known for the acclaimed hybrid novel, Tail of the Blue Bird. Translated in multiple languages, has written for National Geographic, Financial Times, The Guardian, and Lonely Planet, and been the recipient of residencies and fellowships from Harvard University, the University of Southampton, the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, the V&A Museum and the California State University, Los Angeles. Nii Ayikwei’s freelance research work explores the praeter-colonialism survivals of African philosophy, skills and ways of being in Africa and the African diaspora and his oeuvre includes The Makings of You (poetry), The Geez (poetry), The Ga Picture Alphabet (picture book), and the recent Azúcar.