Reflecting on the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize

I have a newsletter where I share exclusive thought-provoking musings and updates on my writing journey. You can subscribe here.

At Poemify Publishers, we’ve nurtured numerous creative projects: Poemify Magazine, Poemify Podcast, the lively Opas Fedas Poetry Concert, the resourceful Poemify Bookstore, the engaging Aba Storytelling Hangout, and the prestigious Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize. Of these, the Chapbook Prize stands out as our crowning achievement.Why does it shine the brightest? It embodies the very essence of Poemify Publishers’ mission.

My journey into poetry began at the tender age of 11, with a dream to become a published author. Despite the lack of resources and knowledge, I persevered. My initial publishing endeavor in 2015 was challenging and fraught with errors, but it was a learning curve that I embraced wholeheartedly. That experience sparked a determination to simplify the publishing process for others, leading to the birth of Poemify Publishers.

The Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize was established with a singular vision: to empower young African poets to publish their work effortlessly and without any financial burden. We’ve realised this dream for 10 poets across our series, from Uche Njie and Peaceful K. Kpobari in 2020; Abasiama Udom, Abigail-Tydale Bassey, Osy Mizpah, and Overcomer Ibiteye in 2021; Nkasiobi Sabs-Mbonu, and Isaiah Adepoju in 2022; to the recent, Oghęnęnyorę C. Olętu and MK Kuol.

The call for submissions for the 2024 series is just around the corner, and I’m thrilled at the prospect of discovering and publishing another talented poet. And I hope, someday, to insert a cash prize in the kit.

Click here download and read chapbooks from the previous series.