Uwem Akpan

For me, as I've said many times, the story is not research. The story is how the characters relate with each other…

— Uwem Akpan

I think fiction allows us to sit for a while with people we would rather not meet.

— Uwem Akpan

I'd say my religious life has shaped my worldview; my writing, I'd say too, is an extension of the pulpit...it reaches folks…

— Uwem Akpan

I always felt my writing could benefit from the attention of established writers. I knew my work could grow and be better.

— Uwem Akpan

I believe that Jesus was both priest and poet. Imagine those powerful parables! My experience as a priest tells me it's not…

— Uwem Akpan

I'm happy if my book makes you want to kiss your family... if we can reconcile with each other no matter where…

— Uwem Akpan

I don't believe in the art-for-art's-sake philosophy. With the raw material before me and the gifts within me, I did my best…

— Uwem Akpan

Maybe if we can find time to hug and cherish our families and the people around us, child suicide or college suicide…

— Uwem Akpan

After the phone call from The New Yorker, I walked more than a mile to church to thank God. But then I…

— Uwem Akpan

I have been very afraid of writing about other cultures and countries. I've been worried about getting the research wrong. I ask…

— Uwem Akpan

I believe artists should be able to step into other people's situations, contexts and cultures and work from there. If artists don't…

— Uwem Akpan

Though people are more important than money, I'm not convinced these large sums of money paid out to victims is the best.…

— Uwem Akpan