About me

I am a poet, storyteller, terrific book addict, a community builder, advocate of literature, violinist, and an ardent lover of classical music.

Peter Okonkwo is a Nigerian writer, poet, playwright, journalistic interviewer, critic, editor, and videographer. He is the author of seven poetry collections: Ecstasy of the Dead (2020), Fate In the Dungeon of Doom (2021), Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment (2021), and the Escape from the Unseen Dungeons book series; A Cry for Mercy (2022), How the Demons Leave (2023), and I Saw the Light (2024).

His works have been reviewed to critical acclaim (locally and internationally), appeared and featured in notable magazines, newspapers, and TV stations, including the Australian Plumwood Mountain Journal, Poetry Catalogue, The Lagos Review, Adelaide Literary Magazine, Writers Space Africa, Afreecan Reads, Sevhage, Ngiga Review, Con-Scio, The Nigeria Review, Daily Trust Newspaper, The Journal of African Youth Literature, among others.

He was an exhibiting author at the Black British Book Festival (BBBF 2026) and the Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF, 2024). In 2024, he received an endorsement from Arts Council England (ACE) recognizing his exceptional talent in the field of literature. Following his endorsement, he was part of the 25-racially minoritised artists and cultural producers selected for the Bristol’s Black South West Network (BSWN) CultureBiz Connect Incubator Program, where his seventh collection, Kwame Come Home, was debuted and showcased as a commissioned piece of art (2025).

In 2026, his Kwame Come Home won the Aberdeen’s Bookause Prize, and received Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant to develop its stage play adaptation. Peter was selected by the Society of Young Publishers and the Publishing Post as the winner of the 2026 First Chapter Award for his significant contribution to fostering literature through his diverse literary initiatives.

Peter is a violinist who has played in Orchestras home and abroad. He was a member of the Bristol Millennium Orchestral and the Wetherby Choral Society. He is the founder of P. English Literature (PEL), a literary organization dedicated to the promotion of literature in all genres. Since its inception in 2020, PEL has featured over 1000 authors & creatives in interviews and literature spotlights.

Peter is also the founder of the Akure Book Club, a co-founder of the West Yorkshire Inked Literary Collectives, and an active member of the Royal Society of Literature. He received the Inspirational Cultural Builder of the Year at UK Inspire Award, and was finalist for the Men Porch Legacy Award. He was a nominee for The Future Award Africa Prize for Literature (2026), The Men Porch Award, and Newcastle’s Afri-Ball Award. He lives in Leeds, England, where he continues to spread his literature wings.

Storyline

Founded P. English Literature and published his debut poetry collection, Ecstasy of the Dead

Published two more poetry collections, Fate In the Dungeon of Doom, and Whose Fault Kismet or Impediment?

Published the Escape from the Unseen Dungeons Book series, A Cry for Mercy, and How the Demons Leaves (2023).

Founded the Akure Book Club, exhibited at NIBF 2024. Received Arts Council England Endorsement, and published the last Escape book series, I Saw the Light.

Served as a Press Man at the London Book Fair, joined Bristol’s BSWN CultureBiz Connect Incubator where his commissioned art piece Kwame Come Home was showcased. Became member of the Bristol Millennium Orchestral, and Wetherby Choral Society.

Peter has won countless awards, received literary nominations and continues to run PEL as an international literary organization featuring over a thousand authors to date. He co-founded the West Yorkshire Inked Literary Collective with Jennifer Amaechi. He continues to talk about his books at festivals, and fairs. He is now working on adapting his narrative poetry, Kwame Come Home into a stage play.

Haliru Ali Musa

"What Okonkwo has created is not a perfect book, but an important one. It bears witness to a crisis that kills thousands annually but remains largely absent from African literature" (Kwame Come Home)

Sherrie Todd Beshore

"If you have ever spent sleepless nights and miserable days disheartened, but unable to verbalize your grief or disillusionment—not only are you not alone. Peter Okonkwo has expressed it all for you." (for A Cry for Mercy)

Chyrel J. Jackson

"A 2023 Modern Day Lamentation." (A Cry for Mercy)

Jayne Lisbeth

“Kwame Come Home is a worthy book, an eye-opening experience to the misery of those unfortunates who seek a better life, as all immigrants have across the world, including our ancestor’s journeys to the United States…” (Kwame Come Home)

Nicole Gillespie

“I can hear the chains falling…” (How the Demons Leave)

Carl Scharwath

“Okonkwo crafts a devastating portrait of grief that feels less like fiction and more like a prolonged, soul-baring lamentation. “Vanessa’s Dire Lamentation,” stands as the emotional core of the work — a feverish, poetic monologue that blurs the lines between diary, prayer, and primal cry…” (Kwame Come Home)

William J. Cook

Okonkwo’s book paints a heartbreaking portrait of human beings labelled “illegal immigrants”. Their story becomes a cry to our common humanity to face and resolve what is a global crisis. A trail of tears…” (for Kwame Come Home)

John B. Valeri

“An emotionally resonant collection from a young poet to watch…” (Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment)