Uwem Akpan

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Uwem Akpan is a Nigerian writer, best known for his internationally acclaimed debut book Say You're One of Them (2008), a collection of five stories set across different African countries. The book won several awards and was selected for the Oprah Winfrey Book Club. His second book and debut novel, New York, My Village (2021), was published by W. W. Norton.


Life

Uwem Akpan was born into an Annang family in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The Annang are a minority tribe in southeastern Nigeria. He grew up listening to Annang folktales told by his family, alongside a deep grounding in Christianity and the Bible.

He attended: - Saint Paul's Primary School, Ekparakwa - Methodist Primary School, Usung Ibong - Saint Anne's Primary School, Ifuho - Queen of Apostles Seminary, Afaha Obong, Abak

Akpan later studied humanities and philosophy at Creighton University and Gonzaga University in the U.S., and earned a degree in theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya. In 2003, he was ordained as a Jesuit priest.

He earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan in 2006.


Career

Akpan's debut collection, Say You're One of Them (2008), featured child protagonists across five African countries, exploring profound social and political struggles. The book was a: - #1 bestseller (New York Times & Wall Street Journal) - Winner of multiple international awards - Translated into 12 languages

In 2009, Oprah Winfrey chose the book for her Book Club, calling it "stunning and profoundly moving".

Between 2010–2017, Akpan held fellowships at: - Black Mountain Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Institute for the Humanities, University of Michigan - Cullman Center, New York Public Library - Yaddo (New York) - Hank Center for Catholic Heritage, Loyola University Chicago

In 2015, Akpan left the Catholic priesthood to focus on writing full-time. He currently teaches in the writing program at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

In 2021, he published his debut novel, New York, My Village, which was named the Strand Bookstore Pick of the Month (Nov 2021).


Works

πŸ“˜ Books

  • Say You're One of Them. Hachette, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-316-11378-6
  • New York, My Village. W. W. Norton, 2021. ISBN: 978-0-393-88142-4

Awards

  • Commonwealth Writers' Prize (Africa Region)
  • PEN Open Book Award
  • Hurston/Wright Legacy Award
  • Finalist – Dayton Literary Peace Prize
  • Finalist – LA Times Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction
  • Nominee – Guardian First Book Award
  • Nominee – Caine Prize for African Writing

Representation in Other Media

  • Singer AngΓ©lique Kidjo was inspired by Say You're One of Them to write the global hit "Agbalagba".

External Links

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