Nigerian Writer Participates in Iowa International Writing Program

Uche Peter Umez, a Nigerian writer who has consistently reinforced his presence in the literary arena of Nigerian literature, is one of the participants of the 2008 International Writing Program in Iowa City , USA . He is the author of the children's novel Sam and the Wallet (2007), the collection of short stories Tears in Her Eyes (2005), and of two volumes of poetry, Aridity of Feelings (2006) and Dark Through the Delta (2004). He was the winner of the 2008 Bath Spa University Creative Writing Competition, UK , and in 2007, he was the Finalist and Runner-up for both the Nigerian LNG Prize for Literature and the ANA/Lantern Prize for Children¢s Fiction.

The young Nigerian writer is enthusiastic about his inclusion in the prestigious program which assembles over 30 writers from various parts of the world for a 3-month period. Writers from Iran, Macedonia, Greece, Israel, Italy, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroun, Argentina, Venezuela, Lebanon, Bangladesh, China and Hong Kong, to mention a few, are among the participants.

Uche hopes he will be able to finish his forthcoming collection of poems, entitled Dirges of Barren Fields, which, like his debut collection, is an exploration of the Niger Delta; its recurring despoliation and destruction and the worsening calamity that befalls the groaning natives. Perhaps the International Writing Program may just afford him the opportunity to attempt completing a novella and a novel he had since abandoned.

Part of the activities lined up in the IWP is reading and discussions, and many more literary-oriented programs.

Uche Peter Umez participates courtesy of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State.