Uche Okonkwo

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Uche Okonkwo had her essay “Crafting Narrative Tension” published in the latest issue of Prairie Schooner (vol. 99, no. 2). The issue features the theme of “writers on writing,” with writers celebrating, lamenting, and reflecting on the writing and publishing process.

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Uche Okonkwo, along with poets Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani, gave a research presentation at the Poetry Foundation in Chicago on the African Poetry Book Fund’s book distribution project. The project investigated book distribution challenges in Africa and recommended making poetry books authored by African diaspora poets and published in the West accessible to African audiences.

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Uche Okonkwo received the 2025 High Plains International Book Award in the First Book category for her short story collection, A Kind of Madness (published in 2024 by Tin House).