We recently connected with Unoma Nwankwor and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Unoma thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I’m a first generation Nigerian-American and I incorporate a lot of my culture into my writing. One top that remains prevalent in many African cultures is the pressure parents sometimes put on their kids to get married. A little before New Year’s Eve in 2021, I was talking to a friend of mine who was under such pressure, and she had no potential spouse in sight. After we laughed about how awkward the holidays were, I happened to wonder about how such pressure would play out for a man. The next day I was on X formerly Twitter and the first Tweet I saw was from a guy asking someone to be their pretend date for Christmas.

That’s when I knew, this (pretending to be a date) could be a thing in different forms.

Thus, the idea for my latest series was born: Away to Africa. In this series, three Nigerian-American cousins are on a mission to trick their grandmother into believing they are in committed relationships so she would give up the idea of finding wives for them. However, instead of focusing on the holiday, they took their “fake women” to attend various functions in Nigeria. All in an attempt to pull wool over their grandmother’s eyes.

Unoma, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Unoma Nwankwor, I write love stories that inspire faith, and immerse you into the African experience, (culture, food, music, sights & sounds)

So how did I get to do what I do? Simple. I’ve always had a thing for writing short stories, but my brand now goes deeper than that.

I’d never forget when my elementary school teacher had me stand in front of the class while she told the other kids, I and my family were moving to “Africa” (then I didn’t know that Africa was not a country)
I’d never forget how in the span of the next several days after I was told by kids who I’m sure got it from their parents how “HORRIBLE Africa was” I was so scared.
No matter what my parents said, I was terrified but… yep, we were leaving the US to Africa. It was actually Lagos, Nigeria.
I stayed there until after college… I didn’t even wait for certificate to land… why? Cos growing up, I saw on TV how “GREAT America was” Go figure.
Been in the US 20 plus years now and I know now everywhere has good and bad.
In my stories, I’m committed to showcasing the “good” of the Continent cos the West has the bad covered.
I write stories of faith from an “America born, Nigeria molded, America living” perspective.
Adiche said it best…There is danger in a single story.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Through my stories I promise to do three things:

Edify by inspiring faith.
Entertain through humor, love & family dynamics.
Educate by providing an immersive cultural adventure.

My reward comes from a reader telling me I’ve done all three.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

As an author, the best source of new readers is word of mouth. That is still the best way to spread the word about any product, my books included. Promotions sites, marketing, and social media engagement are also great avenues for new readers.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.unomanwankwor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/UNwankworAuthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNwankworAuthor/
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/unwankwor

Image Credits
Credit for Images belong to me