Nigerian poet Chisom Okafor has been awarded the prestigious Jacar Press New Voices Award for his upcoming poetry collection, "All I Know About a Heavy Heart Is How to Carry It." The collection, set to be published by Jacar Press in 2025, has garnered praise for its raw, honest exploration of human vulnerability.
Series editor for Jacar Press, Jaki Shelton Green, described Okafor's work as a "celebrated revival of the absorbing language of an observant writer" who grapples with profound questions about the human condition. Green commends Okafor's ability to "poetically restore chaos and complexity" through his unflinching portrayal of the world.
"All I Know About a Heavy Heart Is How to Carry It" delves into the complexities of being human, navigating through "unexpected passages and dislocations" with a "raw, fierce, and unflinching energy" that draws readers into the depths of Okafor's lyrical world.
Okafor, who holds a diverse background having worked as a nutritionist, dietitian, bartender, accountant, and night auditor, is currently the chabook editor for Liberetto Magazine. He has previously been shortlisted for the Brittle Paper Award for Poetry in 2018 and the Gerald Kraak Prize in 2019. His work has been featured in esteemed publications like the Indian Journal of Literature and Aesthetics, Prairie Schooner, Rattle, and Palette Poetry. He is currently pursuing his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Alabama, where he is a Graduate Council Fellow.
Okafor's recognition with the Jacar Press New Voices Award marks a significant achievement in his literary journey. It signifies a promising future for this talented poet and offers a glimpse into the powerful and evocative voice he brings to contemporary poetry.
Series editor for Jacar Press, Jaki Shelton Green, described Okafor's work as a "celebrated revival of the absorbing language of an observant writer" who grapples with profound questions about the human condition. Green commends Okafor's ability to "poetically restore chaos and complexity" through his unflinching portrayal of the world.
"All I Know About a Heavy Heart Is How to Carry It" delves into the complexities of being human, navigating through "unexpected passages and dislocations" with a "raw, fierce, and unflinching energy" that draws readers into the depths of Okafor's lyrical world.
Okafor, who holds a diverse background having worked as a nutritionist, dietitian, bartender, accountant, and night auditor, is currently the chabook editor for Liberetto Magazine. He has previously been shortlisted for the Brittle Paper Award for Poetry in 2018 and the Gerald Kraak Prize in 2019. His work has been featured in esteemed publications like the Indian Journal of Literature and Aesthetics, Prairie Schooner, Rattle, and Palette Poetry. He is currently pursuing his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Alabama, where he is a Graduate Council Fellow.
Okafor's recognition with the Jacar Press New Voices Award marks a significant achievement in his literary journey. It signifies a promising future for this talented poet and offers a glimpse into the powerful and evocative voice he brings to contemporary poetry.
