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Akwaeke Emezi

アクワエケ・エメジ

Akwaeke Emezi

Pen Names: akwaeke emezi（Stylistic lowercase rendering sometimes used by the author.）

Profile

Gender
Unknown
Born
1987-06-06 （Umuahia, Abia, Nigeria）
Nationality
Nigerian
Languages
English
Residence History
Umuahia (birthplace) → Aba, Nigeria → Appalachia, United States (moved for college) → New York (NYU) → Syracuse (Syracuse University)

Career

Occupations
novelist, poet, visual artist, screenwriter, filmmaker
Active Years
2017-
Influenced By
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Igbo spiritual traditions
Influenced

Education

Syracuse University
MFA (Creative Writing) / Creative Fiction
Degree: MFA
Country: United States
Began drafting debut novel while in the MFA program.
New York University
International Public Policy and Nonprofit Management (MPA)
Degree: MPA
Country: United States
Received an MPA in international public policy and nonprofit management.

Awards

Global Arts Fund Grant
2017
Organization: Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Result: Won
Commonwealth Short Story Prize (Africa)
2017
Work: Who Is Like God
Category: Africa
Organization: Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Result: Won
Nommo Award (Novel)
2019
Work: Freshwater
Category: Novel
Organization: African Speculative Fiction Society
Result: Won
Otherwise Award
2019
Work: Freshwater
Organization: Otherwise Award
Result: Won
PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel
2019
Work: Freshwater
Organization: PEN America / The Hemingway Society
Result: Finalist
Women's Prize for Fiction
2019
Work: Freshwater
Organization: Women's Prize Trust
Result: Longlisted
National Book Award for Young People's Literature
2019
Work: Pet
Category: Young People's Literature
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: Finalist
Walter Dean Myers Award (Teen)
2020
Work: Pet
Category: Teen
Organization: We Need Diverse Books
Result: Won
Audie Award (Literary Fiction & Classics)
2021
Work: The Death of Vivek Oji (audiobook)
Category: Literary Fiction & Classics
Organization: Audio Publishers Association
Result: Won
Stonewall Book Awards (Israel Fishman Nonfiction Award)
2022
Work: Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir
Category: Nonfiction
Organization: American Library Association (Rainbow Roundtable)
Result: Won
Lambda Literary Awards (Nonfiction)
2022
Work: Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir
Category: Nonfiction
Organization: Lambda Literary
Result: Shortlisted

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Freshwater

2018 Speculative fiction / experimental novel

A semi-autobiographical novel exploring multiplicity and Igbo spirituality through the protagonist Ada; examines gender, spirit/body binaries, and identity.

multiplicityIgbo spiritualitygenderidentity
Adaptations
  • [TV series (development)] Freshwater (TV adaptation)

Pet

2019 Young adult / fantasy

A YA novel about a transgender teen confronting hidden 'monsters' in a society that refuses to acknowledge them; addresses justice and recognition.

justicetransgender agencysocietal denial

The Death of Vivek Oji

2020 Literary fiction

Centers on the life and death of Vivek Oji, exploring family, community, memory, and the mysteries surrounding death, loss, and love.

lossfamilymemory

Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir

2021 Memoir / Nonfiction

A memoir exploring multiplicity, transgender experience, and spiritual self-understanding; personal and spiritually infused essays.

selfspiritualitytransition

Bitter

2022 Young adult / fantasy

A prequel to Pet, exploring the backstory and worldbuilding of the same YA universe.

memoryjusticecoming-of-age

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

2022 Romance

An adult romance novel; film rights were acquired by Amazon Studios for adaptation.

lovehealingrecovery from loss
Adaptations
  • [Film (in development)] You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (film)

Little Rot

2024 Literary fiction

A novel with experimental elements; detailed public information is limited.

experimental narrationidentity

Content Warning: Everything

2022 Poetry

Debut poetry collection featuring fragments, experimental language, and essayistic elements.

selfbodyspirituality

Bibliography

  • Freshwater (2018)
  • Pet (2019)
  • The Death of Vivek Oji (2020)
  • Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir (2021)
  • You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (2022)
  • Bitter (2022)
  • Little Rot (2024)
  • Content Warning: Everything (2022, poetry)

Adaptations

  • You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty — film rights acquired by Amazon Studios (in development)
  • Freshwater — TV series development at FX (project later returned to author)
  • Short film 'Ududeagu' — won an award at BlackStar Film Festival (short experimental film)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
spiritual and introspective narrationmultiplicity and experimental perspective shiftspoetic, symbol-rich prose
Recurring Motifs
multiplicityIgbo spirituality (ogbanje)body/spirit binariesloss and rebirth

Health

  • Multiplicity
    思春期以降
    Has deeply influenced their writing and the themes of their work, shaping narrative structure and self-understanding.
  • Gender-affirming surgery (including hysterectomy)
    公表済み（年不詳）
    Physical changes and experiences are reflected in their memoir and public commentary.

Legacy

Akwaeke Emezi is regarded as an innovative writer centering Igbo spirituality and multiplicity, occupying an important place in contemporary Nigerian and LGBTQ+ literature. They have published notable works across YA and adult genres.

In Popular Culture

  • Attention across media due to adaptation projects and musical releases, extending their presence beyond literature.

Quotes

  • I consider myself an ogbanje.
    Source: Interview (The Cut, 2018) (2018)

Trivia

  • The author sometimes stylizes their name in lowercase (akwaeke emezi).
  • Short film 'Ududeagu' won the Experimental Short Audience Award at BlackStar Film Festival (2014).
  • Released rap single 'Banye' in 2023 and debut EP 'Stop Dying, You Were Very Expensive.' in 2024.
  • Withdrew a submission from the Women’s Prize after being asked to provide legal sex information.