After a very exciting and successful 2009 literary season in Abuja, this year’s edition is set to feature three writers in the first quarter. The guest writer session, tagged Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), features readings by national and international writers, creative writing workshops, weekly critique sessions and an acclaimed and a widely patronised national literary contest.

This year, the session continues in its literary calendar with a trio of Eugenia Abu, Halima Sekula and Dul Johnson appearing at the Pen and Pages Bookstore, venue of the Guest Writer Session on January 30, February 27 and March 27 respectively.

First on the bill was ace television broadcaster and writer, Eugenia Abu who recently made a foray into poetry with the publication of her debut collection, Don’t Look At Me Like That. Her previous publication, a collection of newspaper articles, the award-winning In The Blink Of An Eye, has been described as epitomising “the dilemma of a creative mind – sensitive, even private – yet, Mrs. Abu is willing to share her innermost thoughts for the good of the society.”

A 1981Ahmadu Bello University graduate of English, Mrs. Abu also has a Masters in Communications Policy Studies from the London City University. Her mentoring passion led her to founding a yearly writing workshop for children in Abuja. In 2008 she was the judge for the short story category of the maiden edition of the literary contest organised by the Abuja Writers Forum. She currently heads NTA’s News International.

Mrs. Abu’s reading on January 30 featured the guitarist Joy Kalu, the performance poet Emman Eru also known as Dekmankind and the visual artist Tola Ijaiye.
Halima Sekula, who will read on February 27, is a scholar, playwright, poet and short story writer who teaches at the Nassarawa State University, Keffi. Dr Sekula’s published works include Honour Among Thieves (drama), Tongues of Flames (poetry) and The Waiting Place (short stories). She has also been published in journals such as The Halifax Review, Drum Voices Revue, Penwomanship, Transverse and Maple Tree Supplement.

On March 27, AWF will host Dul Johnson, author of two collections of short stories, Shadows and Ashes and Why Women Won’t Make It To Heaven. Dr Johnson who previously taught Creative Writing, Literature and Film at the University of Jos and the Nigerian Film Institute Jos, currently runs his Topshots Productions outfit and has an eagerly awaited debut novel tentatively titled Into The Abyss.
The Guest Writer Session started in June 2008 and has been a consistent feature of the nation’s literary scene becoming a veritable platform for upcoming and established writers.

Last year, the Canadian novelist and short story writer Patricia Keeney and several Nigerian writers like ElNathan John, Jumoke Verissimo, Musa Idris Okpanachi, Uwem Akpan, Unoma Nguemo Azuah, Gabriel Okara, Gesiere Brisibe-Dorgu and Abubakar Gimba featured. Others are Igoni Adrian Barret, Fatima Ba’aram Alkali, Judith Rapu and Abiathar Zadok.

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