Because I could never have done this without the help of my community, my family, my friends – all those keep giving me the reason to continue on this path:
Cate DiCharry, Noni Salma, Rebecca Jamieson, Tracy Haught and Kelsi Long, Amara Nicole Okolo – friends who became my sisters and support system; Erin Stalcup, Justin Bigos, Rita Banerjee, Miciah Bay Gault – all my heroes at the VCFA, for giving me a safe place to create, to breathe. Julianna Baggot for lifting her voice and singing my praises whenever that song is needed. Othuke Ominiabohs, for showing up at the perfect time. My parents Fred and Nkiruka Okoye, and my siblings who anchor me to this world – Ijeoma, Chimezie, Tochukwu and Nonso, for having my back, always.
Nwanosike, for believing in me and my dreams.
Christopher Merrill and everyone at the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program, for giving me a home when I needed it and keeping those doors open for me.
Claire Anderson-Wheeler, my agent who saw the promise in the manuscript and believed in it.
And everyone who understood that this is all I have always wanted to do.
Ka odili unu na mma!