Olaoluwa Oni Wins Brittle Paper’s “I ❤️ African Literature” Writing Contest

Olaoluwa Oni emerges winner of the I ❤️ African Literature Writing Contest. She takes home $100 dollars.

From over 170 submissions, the top five were selected and the Brittle Paper community voted for their favorite. Olaoluwa’s love letter emerged the favorite of the brittle paper community.

1. Here is what Lavinia says about Eddie Hewitt’s “A Love Letter to African Literature:”

I love Eddie Hewitt’s entry. His piece is very touching and evocative. As I read his love letter, I found that it summoned a certain tenderness and poignancy within me and a lingering sense of nostalgia for certain novels; I love that this was what he intended to do, as it is evident from the title! Best of all, I love that he expresses his renewed commitment to remain entwined in the throes of African literature and its evolution. A masterful piece! Well done Eddie!

2. Hilya says of Haroun Habib’s poem “How Does It Feel Now?”

Wow all these writers are talented!! But I am moved by Haroun Habib’s piece.The words of choice is extremely amazing. It brought the story to life. Love the great message of Hope it brought—to never give up on our dreams.

3. Miriam says of Chioma Iwunze-Ibiam’s “For Better or Worse:”

I sense the same theme circling the shortlisted stories, and they are all lovely still I cannot deny that Chioma’s story resonates with every writer. I read all of them, and I read “For better or Worse” twice. I can’t believe Chioma packed all that history in 300 words. Her letter tells us how she was seduced by foreign literature, how she found her way back, how she gave up her comforts for him. Every line is excellently delivered. If I were African Literature, I would take her in my arms and tell her how much I love her. I would promise her everything will be fine now and that I would chase her to the ends of the earth should anyone try to take her from me. Great writing Chioma!

4. Samuel Leimela says of Thando’s “To My First Love:”

Thando is a very good writer. I never cease to be amazed. I am a fan of her work., and this nice piece, like the rest, brings out the life of words right out of the picture. You deserve the price, queen.. 🙂

5. Oloade says of Olaoluwa’s “One More Time:”

Olaoluwa has re-ignited my passion for literature. Since I read your piece, my mind has been drawn again to those days in school when I derived immense pleasure and a kind of unexplainable natural romantic feeling, when I read African novels, poetry and so on. The likes of “We Have Come Home,” Things Fall Apart, etc. I vote Olaoluwa one more time. 

Congrats once again to Olaoluwa! Eddie, Chioma, Thando, and Haroun.

culled from: http://brittlepaper.com/2016/08/olaoluwa-oni-wins-brittle-papers-african-literature-writing-contest/

 

You can read the submissions here; http://brittlepaper.com/2016/07/read-topfive-selections-african-literature-writing-contest/