Nigerian poet, Soonest Nathaniel, selected for prestigious US International Writing Program

Soonest Nathaniel, a poet, journalist, and spoken word artist, has been selected to participate in the esteemed International Writing Program (IWP) Fall Residency at the University of Iowa, United States.

Nathaniel is joining an exclusive group of authors that include several winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature, including Turkey’s Orhan Pamuk and China’s Mo Yan. These acclaimed authors started their journey towards global recognition at the IWP.

Known for his potent and evocative verses, Nathaniel is the author of two amazing poetry collections – Teaching Father How To Impregnate Women and Burying The Ghosts Of Dead Narratives.

Nathaniel’s writings, whether poetry, journalism, or spoken word performances, are celebrated for their lyrical beauty and spectacular insight into historic and contemporary issues.

An enthusiast of a meld genre loosely-called speculative realism, Nathaniel won the RL Poetry Award in 2017. He was also named Langston Hughes Fellow at the Palm Beach Festival and served as Poet Laureate for the Korea Nigeria Poetry Festival.

His poems have been highly anthologised, appearing in Nigerian, US, and British literary magazines. Nathaniel, who is also a reporter with Channels Television, is an active voice on various platforms that focus on social issues.

Nathaniel’s unique style and powerful poetry makes him a great addition to this year’s program. He’ll be joining 34 other writers selected from various countries for the three-month residency which celebrates it’s 56th year at the University of Iowa, having began in 1967.

The IWP’s main goal is to offer authors an unrivalled intercultural opportunity, as well as avail them the space to write, read, translate, study, conduct research, travel, give readings, stage works, and become part of the vibrant literary and academic community at the University of Iowa.

Iowa City is the first city in the United States to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature, partly due to the influence of the IWP.

Nathaniel’s selection for this prestigious program is a testament to his exceptional talent and the global recognition of his work. His participation in the IWP Fall Residency is set to be a significant milestone in his already flourishing career, placing him firmly on the global literary stage.