Kenyan author Peter Ngila picked for Nigeria writing residency
Kenyan writer Peter Ngila is one of the four recipients of the 2017 Ebedi Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Ngila was also recently announced as a recipient of the 2017 Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award. This makes him the second African writer to attend the retreat after South Africa’s Megan Ross last year.
- The retreat will take place in April, 2017 and will include a series of small-group workshops and cultural tours aimed at acquainting the participants with Iceland’s rich literary heritage.
Kenyan writer Peter Ngila is one of the four recipients of the 2017 Ebedi Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The Ebedi residency, the first writers’ residency in Nigeria, was started six years ago by Dr Wale Okediran, a medical doctor who has published several novels and short stories and was once president of the Association of Nigerian Authors.
The residency offers the selected writers a serene environment with minimal distractions so that they can focus on writing.
During their stay, the residents are expected to give back to the community by spending at least two hours each week interacting with the Iseyin community members.
Ngila, who will be working on a fantasy novel, plans to teach secondary students creative writing during his community service hours.
ANOTHER AWARD
Ngila was also recently announced as a recipient of the 2017 Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award. This makes him the second African writer to attend the retreat after South Africa’s Megan Ross last year.
The retreat will take place in April, 2017 and will include a series of small-group workshops and cultural tours aimed at acquainting the participants with Iceland’s rich literary heritage.
It will be facilitated by renowned writers, among them Somali-British novelist Nadifa Mohamed, Sara Gruen, Vilborg Davíðsdóttir, Madeleine Thien, David Lebovitz, and Meg Wolitzer.
Speaking about Ngila’s selection for the retreat, Eliza Reid, co-founder of the Iceland Writers Retreat, said: “We are thrilled that Peter will be joining us in Iceland in April, we were extremely impressed with his application, and are very pleased to offer this award to such a deserving author.
"We’re sure he’ll fit right in here in Iceland, a country that admires and reveres writers.”
Held for the first time in April 2014, the Iceland Writers Retreat is an annual event comprised of a series of small-group writing workshops and cultural tours. It was named one of the world’s best writers’ retreats by the Sydney Morning Herald.
