PRIZES to win! PROMOTIONS
Ukamaka Olisakwe is a Nigerian novelist, short story writer and screenwriter. In 2014 she was chosen as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most promising writers under the age of 40. She was born in Kano, Nigeria, and in 2016, was a resident at the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program. Her writing has appeared in Catapult, the New York Times and The Rumpus. She wrote the screenplay for The Calabash, a Nigerian television series that premiered in 2015 on Africa Magic Showcase.
An intimate and dazzling exploration of the life and times of a young Nigerian woman whose move to the capital city of Lagos leads to a series of encounters, which are by turns disorienting, revelatory and tragic. --Christopher Merrill, author, Self-Portrait with Dogwood Olisakwe's affecting novel begins with a gut punch and ends in an epiphany. Written in vivid, engaging prose, this is the story of one woman's journey to independence. --Chinelo Okparanta, author, Under the Udala Trees The writing in this novel is crisp, the pace is measured, and the prose is beautiful. --The Lagos Review Ukamaka Olisakwe has written an unflinching portrait of survival and strength. The story of Ogadinma's indomitable character and her harrowing journey is deeply moving. Olisakwe has proven to be a fearless writer, and I am grateful for this powerful work. --Julianna Baggott, author, The Seventh Book of Wonders
