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| birth_place = [[Afikpo]], [[Ebonyi State]], [[Nigeria]]
| birth_place = [[Afikpo]], [[Ebonyi State]], [[Nigeria]]
| occupation = [[Author]], [[poet]], [[professor]]
| occupation = [[Author]], [[poet]], [[professor]]
| education = [[Imo State University]]<br/>[[Birkbeck College]], [[University of London]]<br/>[[University of Southern California]]
| nationality =
| citizenship = [[Nigerian]]
| known_for =
| known_for =
| notable_works = *''[[GraceLand]]'' (2004)
*''[[Becoming Abigail]]'' (2006)
*''[[The Secret History of Las Vegas]]'' (2014)
| website = {{URL|www.chrisabani.com}}
| website = {{URL|www.chrisabani.com}}
}}
}}
[[Image:Chris Abani - Ode to Joy - Levendaal 81, Leiden.JPG|thumb|The poem "Ode to Joy" on a wall in the Dutch city of [[Leiden]]]]
[[Image:Chris Abani - Ode to Joy - Levendaal 81, Leiden.JPG|thumb|The poem "Ode to Joy" on a wall in the Dutch city of [[Leiden]]]]


'''Christopher Abani''' (born 27 December 1966) is a [[Nigeria]]n-American author. He says he is part of a new generation of [[List of Nigerian writers|Nigerian writers]] working to convey to an English-speaking audience the experience of those born and raised in "that troubled African nation".
'''Christopher Abani''' (born 27 December 1966) is a [[Nigerian Americans|Nigerian American]] and [[Los Angeles]]- based author. He says he is part of a [[Third Generation of Nigerian Writers|new generation]] of [[List of Nigerian writers|Nigerian writers]] working to convey to an English-speaking audience the experience of those born and raised in "that troubled African nation".


==Biography==
==Biography==
Abani was born in [[Afikpo]], Nigeria. His father was [[Igbo people|Igbo]], while his mother was of [[English people|English]] descent.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/18/entertainment/ca-abani18 |quote=But even before he became one of the rare Ugandans [sic] in the Phoenix Inn and one of the few blacks living in East L.A., Abani was what he calls 'an outsider's outsider'. He grew up in small Nigerian cities, the son of an Igbo educator father and a white English-born mother who had met at Oxford, where she was a secretary and he was a post-doc student. Raised Roman Catholic, Abani studied in the seminary as a teenager. |first=Scott |last=Timberg |title=Living in the 'perfect metaphor' |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=18 February 2007 |accessdate=25 January 2009}}</ref> He published his first novel, ''Masters of the Board'', in 1985 at the age of 16.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani - Chris Abani Biography - Poem Hunter|url=http://www.poemhunter.com/chris-abani/biography/|website=www.poemhunter.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> It was a political thriller, the plot of which was an allegory based on a coup that was carried out in Nigeria just before it was written. He was imprisoned for six months on suspicion of an attempt to overthrow the government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Abani, Chris 1967- {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/abani-chris-1967|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He continued to write after his release from jail, but was imprisoned for one year after the publication of his 1987 novel ''Sirocco''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani {{!}} What You Need To Know About The Nigerian-American Legend|url=https://aceworldpub.com.ng/chris-abani-what-you-need-to-know-abou/|last=Ace|first=Micheal|date=2019-07-19|website=ACEworld Publishers|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> After he was released from jail this time, he composed several anti-government plays that were performed on the street near government offices for two years. He was imprisoned a third time and was placed on death row.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/chris-abani|last=Foundation|first=Poetry|date=2020-05-28|website=Poetry Foundation|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> Luckily, his friends had bribed government officials for his release in 1991, and immediately Abani moved to the [[United Kingdom]], living there until 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfordaasc.com/article/opr/t338/e0002|url-access=subscription|title=Abani, Chris|website=OxfordAASC.com|year=2011|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.48083|access-date=18 February 2017|last1=Bookman|first1=Ariel|isbn=9780195301731}}</ref> He then moved to the United States, where he now lives.<ref>[http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/chris-abani Chris Abani]. Poetry Foundation.</ref>
Abani was born in [[Afikpo]], [[Ebonyi State]], located in the southeastern region of [[Nigeria]]. His father was [[Igbo people|Igbo]], while his mother was of [[English people|English]] descent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-feb-18-ca-abani18-story.html |quote=But even before he became one of the rare Ugandans [sic] in the Phoenix Inn and one of the few blacks living in East L.A., Abani was what he calls 'an outsider's outsider'. He grew up in small Nigerian cities, the son of an Igbo educator father and a white English-born mother who had met at Oxford, where she was a secretary and he was a post-doc student. Raised Roman Catholic, Abani studied in the seminary as a teenager. |first=Scott |last=Timberg |title=Living in the 'perfect metaphor' |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=18 February 2007 |access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref>
Abani published his first novel, ''Masters of the Board'', in 1985 at the age of 16.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani - Chris Abani Biography - Poem Hunter|url=http://www.poemhunter.com/chris-abani/biography/|website=www.poemhunter.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> It was a political thriller, the plot of which was an allegory based on a coup that was carried out in Nigeria just before it was written. He was imprisoned for six months on suspicion of an attempt to [[Soft coup|overthrow the government]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Abani, Chris 1967- {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/abani-chris-1967|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He continued to write after his release from jail, but was imprisoned for one year after the publication of his 1987 novel ''Sirocco.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani {{!}} What You Need To Know About The Nigerian-American Legend|url=https://aceworldpub.com.ng/chris-abani-what-you-need-to-know-abou/|last=Ace|first=Micheal|date=2019-07-19|website=ACEworld Publishers|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> During this time, he was held at the infamous Kiri Kiri prison, where he was tortured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani |url=https://www.poetryoutloud.org/poet/chris-abani/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Poetry Out Loud |language=en-GB}}</ref> After he was released from [[Prison|jail]] this time, he composed several [[Opposition (politics)|anti-government]] [[Play (theatre)|plays]] that were performed on the street near government offices for two years. He was imprisoned a third time and was placed on [[death row]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/chris-abani|last=Foundation|first=Poetry|date=2020-05-28|website=[[Poetry Foundation]]|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> However, his friends had bribed [[Official|government officials]] for his release in 1991, and immediately Abani, his mother, and his four siblings moved to the [[United Kingdom]], living there until 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfordaasc.com/article/opr/t338/e0002|url-access=subscription|title=Abani, Chris|website=OxfordAASC.com|year=2011|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.48083|access-date=18 February 2017|last1=Bookman|first1=Ariel|isbn=9780195301731}}</ref> He then moved to the [[United States]], where he now lives.<ref>[http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/chris-abani Chris Abani]. Poetry Foundation.</ref>


==Education and career==
==Education and career==
Abani holds a B.A. in English and Literary Studies from [[Imo State University]], Nigeria; an M.A. in Gender and Culture from [[Birkbeck College]], [[University of London]], an M.A. in English from the University of Southern California; and a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Southern California.{{cn|date=November 2020}}
Abani holds a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] degree in English and Literary Studies from [[Imo State University]], Nigeria; an [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] in Gender and Culture from [[Birkbeck College|Birkbeck]], [[University of London]]; an M.A. in English from the [[University of Southern California]]; and a [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in Creative Writing and Literature from the [[University of Southern California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani: Department of English - Northwestern University |url=https://english.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/abani-chris.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=english.northwestern.edu |language=en}}</ref>


Abani has been awarded a [[PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award]], the 2001 [[Prince Claus Awards]], a [[Lannan Literary Fellowship]], a [[California Book Award]], a [[Hurston-Wright Legacy Award]] and the [[Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award]]. Selections of his poetry appear in the online journal ''[[Blackbird (journal)|Blackbird]].'' From 2007–2012, he was Professor of Creative Writing at the [[University of California, Riverside]]. He is currently a Board of Trustees Professor of English at [[Northwestern University]].<ref>[http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/professorship-appointments,-june-2013.html "Northwestern Announces Professorships"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928120145/http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/professorship-appointments,-june-2013.html |date=28 September 2015 }}, Northwestern University, 27 June 2013.</ref>
Abani has been awarded a [[PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award]], the 2001 [[Prince Claus Awards]], a [[Lannan Literary Fellowship]], a [[California Book Award]], a [[Hurston/Wright Legacy Award]] and the [[PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel|PEN/Hemingway Award]]. Selections of his poetry appear in the online journal ''[[Blackbird (journal)|Blackbird]].'' From 2007 to 2012, he was Professor of Creative Writing at the [[University of California, Riverside]]. He is currently a Board of Trustees Professor of English at [[Northwestern University]].<ref>[http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/professorship-appointments,-june-2013.html "Northwestern Announces Professorships"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928120145/http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/professorship-appointments,-june-2013.html |date=28 September 2015 }}, Northwestern University, 27 June 2013.</ref>


His book of poetry, ''Sanctificum'' ([[Copper Canyon Press]], 2010), is a sequence of linked poems, bringing together religious ritual, the [[Igbo language]] of his Nigerian homeland, and [[Reggae Rhythms|reggae rhythms]] in a postracial, liturgical love song.<ref>[https://www.coppercanyonpress.org/books/sanctificum-by-chris-abani/ ''Sanctificum'']. Copper Canyon Press.</ref>
His book of poetry, ''Sanctificum'' (2010) which was published by [[Copper Canyon Press]], is a sequence of linked poems, bringing together religious ritual, the [[Igbo language]] of his Nigerian homeland, and reggae rhythms in a postracial, liturgical love song.


Abani's foray into publishing has led to the formation of the Black Goat poetry series, which is an imprint of New York-based [[Akashic Books]]. <ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-10-15|title=Renowned Writer in Africa - Sabi Writers|language=en-US|work=Sabi Writers|url=http://sabiwriters.com/top-renowned-writer-africa/|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>Poets [[Kwame Dawes]], Christina Garcia, [[Kate Durbin]], [[Karen Harryman]], [[Uche Nduka]], [[Percival Everett]], Khadijah Queen and Gabriela Jauregui have all been published by Black Goat.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.spokenwordarchive.org.uk/content/artist/chris-abani|website=Spoken Word Archive|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
Abani's foray into publishing has led to the formation of the Black Goat poetry series, which is an imprint of New York-based [[Akashic Books]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-10-15|title=Renowned Writer in Africa - Sabi Writers|language=en-US|work=Sabi Writers|url=http://sabiwriters.com/top-renowned-writer-africa/|access-date=2020-05-28|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718194144/http://sabiwriters.com/top-renowned-writer-africa/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Poets [[Kwame Dawes]], Christina Garcia, [[Kate Durbin]], [[Karen Harryman]], [[Uche Nduka]], [[Percival Everett]], Khadijah Queen and Gabriela Jauregui have all been published by Black Goat.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.spokenwordarchive.org.uk/content/artist/chris-abani|website=Spoken Word Archive|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>


His crime novel ''[[The Secret History of Las Vegas]]'' won the [[Edgar Award]] as ''Best Paperback Original'' in 2015.<ref>http://theedgars.com/awards/category-list-best-paperback-original/</ref>
Abani's crime novel ''[[The Secret History of Las Vegas]]'' won the [[Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Paperback Original]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theedgars.com/awards/category-list-best-paperback-original/|title=Category List – Best Paperback Original &#124; Edgars Database}}</ref>


In summer 2016, a broad selection of his works was published in Israel by the small independent publishing house Ra'av under the title "Shi'ur Geografia" (Hebrew for: Geography Lesson) edited by [[Noga Shevach]] and the poet [[Eran Tzelgov]]. The collection received great reviews and offered Hebrew readers a first encounter with the poetry of Abani.
In the summer of 2016, a broad selection of his works was published in Israel by the small independent publishing house Ra'av under the title ''Shi'ur Geografia'' (Hebrew for "Geography Lesson"), edited by [[Noga Shevach]] and the poet [[Eran Tzelgov]]. The collection received great reviews and offered Hebrew readers a first encounter with the poetry of Abani.


==Published works==
==Published works==
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'''Novellas'''
'''Novellas'''
*''Becoming Abigail'' (Akashic Books, 2006)
*''[[Becoming Abigail]]'' (Akashic Books, 2006)
*''Song For Night'' (Akashic Books, 2007)
*''Song For Night'' (Akashic Books, 2007)


'''Poetry'''
'''Poetry'''
*''Kalakuta Republic'' (Saqi, 2001).
*''Kalakuta Republic'' (Saqi, 2001)
*''Daphne's Lot'' (Red Hen Press, 2003)
*''Daphne's Lot'' ([[Red Hen Press]], 2003)
*''Dog Woman'' (Red Hen Press, 2004)
*''Dog Woman'' (Red Hen Press, 2004)
*''Hands Washing Water'' (Copper Canyon Press, 2006)
*''Hands Washing Water'' ([[Copper Canyon Press]], 2006)
*''There are no names for red'' ([[Red Hen Press]], 2010)
*''There are no names for red'' (Red Hen Press, 2010)
*''Feed me the sun'' ([[Peepal Tree Press]], 2010)
*''Feed me the sun'' (Peepal Tree Press, 2010)
*''Sanctificum'' ([[Copper Canyon Press]], 2010)
*''Sanctificum'' (Copper Canyon Press, 2010)
*''Smoking the Bible'' (Copper Canyon Press, 2022)


'''Essays'''
'''Essays'''
*''The Face'' (Restless Books, 2014)
*''The Face'' (Restless Books, 2014)


==Honors and awards==
==Awards and honours==
In 2001, Abani received a Middleton Fellowship from the [[University of Southern California]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pokala |first1=Krishna |last2=Girard |first2=David |last3=Beydoun |first3=Said R |date=2016 |title=Different Presentations of Myelopathy—A Case Series |journal=US Neurology |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=22 |doi=10.17925/usn.2016.12.01.22 |issn=1758-4000|doi-access=free }}</ref> In 2003, he received the [[Lannan Foundation]] Literary Fellowship,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lannan Foundation |url=https://lannan.org/literary/awards-and-fellowships/fiction-awards |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Lannan Foundation |language=en}}</ref> as well as the Hellman/Hammet Grant from [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contemporary Poetry |url=https://charterforcompassion.org/annotated-bibliography/contemporary-poetry |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=charterforcompassion.org |language=en-gb |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615142707/https://charterforcompassion.org/annotated-bibliography/contemporary-poetry |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{BLP unsourced section|date=March 2017}}

'''2001'''
In 2006, ''[[Becoming Abigail]]'' was named an Editor's Choice book for ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani |url=https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/chris-abani/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=www.fantasticfiction.com}}</ref> and a Critic's Choice for ''[[Chicago Reader]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Athitakis |first=Mark |date=30 March 2006 |title=Chris Abani |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chris-abani/Content?oid=921654 |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en}}</ref> It was also a book club selection for ''[[Essence (magazine)|Essence Magazine]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani |url=https://browngirlreading.com/tag/chris-abani/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Brown Girl Reading |language=en-US}}</ref>'' and [[Black Expressions]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Abani |first1=Chris |url=https://www.npr.org/books/titles/138344719/becoming-abigail |title=Becoming Abigail |date=March 2006 |publisher=Akashic Books |isbn=978-1-888451-94-8 |language=en}}</ref>
*PEN USA West Freedom-to-Write Award, US<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.chrisabani.com/|website=Official site of Chris Abani|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>

*[[Prince Claus Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani: Department of English - Northwestern University|url=https://www.english.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/abani-chris.html|website=www.english.northwestern.edu|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
In 2007, ''The Virgin of Flames<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-02-04 |title=Editor's Choice |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/books/review/0204bb-hardcover.html |access-date=2020-05-28 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>'' and ''Song for Night<ref>{{Cite news |last=Casey |first=Maud |date=2007-09-16 |title=Broken Boy Soldier |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/books/review/Casey-t.html |access-date=2020-05-28 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>'' were Editor's Choice picks for ''[[The New York Times]]. The Virgin of Flames'' was also a [[Barnes & Noble]] Discovery Selection,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Virgin of Flames by Chris Abani: 9780143038771 {{!}} PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/298926/the-virgin-of-flames-by-chris-abani/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=PenguinRandomhouse.com |language=en-US}}</ref>'' and ''Becoming Abigail'' was a New York Libraries Books For Teens Selection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Editorial Empatia |url=http://www.editorialempatia.com/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Editorial Empatia}}</ref>
*Middleton Fellowship, University of Southern California, US<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Pokala|first1=Krishna|last2=Girard|first2=David|last3=Beydoun|first3=Said R|date=2016|title=Different Presentations of Myelopathy—A Case Series|journal=US Neurology|volume=12|issue=1|pages=22|doi=10.17925/usn.2016.12.01.22|issn=1758-4000}}</ref>

'''2002'''
*Imbongi Yesizwe Poetry International Award, South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guernica and the DISQUIET: International Literary Program Award|url=https://www.guernicamag.com/guernica_and_disquiet_internat/|website=Guernica|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
In 2008, Abani received a Distinguished Humanist Award from the [[University of California, Riverside]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Simon Guggenheim Foundation {{!}} Chris Abani |url=https://www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/chris-abani/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''2003'''
*[[Lannan Foundation]] Literary Fellowship, US<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lannan Foundation|url=https://lannan.org/literary/awards-and-fellowships/fiction-awards|website=Lannan Foundation|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
In 2009, Abani received a [[List of Guggenheim Fellowships awarded in 2009|Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=''Guernica'' and the DISQUIET: International Literary Program Award |url=https://www.guernicamag.com/guernica_and_disquiet_internat/ |date=31 January 2011|access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Guernica |language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
*Hellman/Hammet Grant from Human Rights Watch, US<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contemporary Poetry|url=https://charterforcompassion.org/annotated-bibliography/contemporary-poetry|website=charterforcompassion.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|+Awards for Abani's writing
'''2005'''
!Year
*Winner, [[Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award]]. (''GraceLand'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel|url=https://pen.org/pen-hemingway-award/|date=2020-03-23|website=PEN America|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
!Title
*Winner, [[Hurston-Wright Legacy Award]] (''GraceLand'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani, Blackbird|url=https://blackbird.vcu.edu/v8n1/features/abani_c/index.shtml|website=blackbird.vcu.edu|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
!Award
*Silver Medal, California Book Award for Fiction (''GraceLand'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faculty Biographies {{!}} Master of Fine Arts in Writing|url=https://www.pacificu.edu/mfa-writing/faculty-biographies|date=2017-09-27|website=Pacific University|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
!Result
*Finalist, ''Los Angeles Times'' Book Prize for Fiction (''GraceLand'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Book of Night Women (Paperback) {{!}} Broadway Books|url=https://www.broadwaybooks.net/book/9781594484360|website=www.broadwaybooks.net|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
!Ref.
*Finalist, [[Commonwealth Writers Prize]], Best Books (Africa Region)(''GraceLand'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani: I'm as guilty as Achebe|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/chris-abani-im-as-guilty-as-achebe/|date=2016-04-06|website=The Sun Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|-
*Pushcart Nomination for ''Blooding''. ''[[StoryQuarterly]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Community of Writers|url=https://communityofwriters.org/alumni-news/|website=Community of Writers|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" |2001
'''2006'''
|
*A ''New York Times'' Editor's Choice (''Becoming Abigail'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/chris-abani/|website=www.fantasticfiction.com|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|PEN USA West Freedom-to-Write Award
*A Chicago Reader Critic's Choice (''Becoming Abigail'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chris-abani/Content?oid=921654|last=Athitakis|first=Mark|website=Chicago Reader|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|
*A selection of the ''[[Essence (magazine)|Essence Magazine]]'' Book Club (''Becoming Abigail'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Abani|url=https://browngirlreading.com/tag/chris-abani/|website=Brown Girl Reading|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani |url=https://www.chrisabani.com/ |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=Official site of Chris Abani |language=en}}</ref>
*A selection of the Black Expressions Book Club (''Becoming Abigail'')<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.npr.org/books/titles/138344719/becoming-abigail|title=Becoming Abigail|isbn=978-1-888451-94-8|language=en|last1=Abani|first1=Chris|date=March 2006}}</ref>
|-
*Pushcart Nomination (poetry) (''A Way To Turn This To Light'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Poets – Vandal Poem of the Day|url=https://poetry.lib.uidaho.edu/poets/|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|
*Shortlisted for [[International Dublin Literary Award]] (''GraceLand'').<ref>{{Cite web|title=2006 Shortlist – International DUBLIN Literary Award|url=https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/award-archive/2006-shortlist/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|[[Prince Claus Award]] for Literature & Culture
'''2007'''
|
* ''[[The New York Times]]'' Editor's Choice (''Song for Night'')<ref>{{Cite news|last=Casey|first=Maud|date=2007-09-16|title=Broken Boy Soldier|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/books/review/Casey-t.html|access-date=2020-05-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* Finalist, [[PEN/Beyond Margins Award]] (''Becoming Abigail'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Writers at Newark Reading Series: Adrian Matejka and Chris Abani {{!}} Rutgers University - Newark|url=https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/events/writers-newark-reading-series-adrian-matejka-and-chris-abani|website=www.newark.rutgers.edu|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani |url=https://www.english.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/abani-chris.html |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Department of English: [[Northwestern University]] |language=en}}</ref>
|-
* A [[Barnes & Noble]] Discovery Selection (''The Virgin of Flames'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Virgin of Flames by Chris Abani: 9780143038771 {{!}} PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/298926/the-virgin-of-flames-by-chris-abani/|website=PenguinRandomhouse.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
!2002
* A ''New York Times'' Editor's Choice (''The Virgin of Flames'')<ref>{{Cite news|date=2007-02-04|title=Editor's Choice|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/books/review/0204bb-hardcover.html|access-date=2020-05-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
|
* A New York Libraries Books For Teens Selection (''Becoming Abigail'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Editorial Empatia|url=http://www.editorialempatia.com/|website=www.editorialempatia.com|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|Imbongi Yesizwe Poetry International Award
'''2008'''
|
* Winner, [[PEN/Beyond Margins Award]] for ''Song For Night''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book News: PEN American Center Selects Beyond Margins Award Winners|url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=book-news-pen-american-center-selects-beyond-margins-award-winners|last=Journal|first=Library|website=Library Journal|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0" />
* Nominated for Lamada Award (''The Virgin of Flames'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=April 2019|url=http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/calendar/0419.php|website=writing.upenn.edu|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|-
* Recipient, Distinguished Humanist Award (UC, Riverside)<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Simon Guggenheim Foundation {{!}} Chris Abani|url=https://www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/chris-abani/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
! rowspan="6" |2005
* 2007 [[Pushcart Prize|Pushcart]] Nomination for ''Sanctificum'' (poetry)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Featured Poets {{!}} 2010 {{!}} Biennial Festivals {{!}} Programs {{!}} Split This Rock|url=https://www.splitthisrock.org/programs/festival-biennial/2010/featured-poets/|website=www.splitthisrock.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
|"Blooding" in ''[[StoryQuarterly]]''
'''2009'''
|[[Pushcart Prize]]
* [[List of Guggenheim Fellowships awarded in 2009|Guggenheim Fellow in Fiction]]
|Nominee
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community of Writers |url=https://communityofwriters.org/alumni-news/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Community of Writers |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|''[[GraceLand]]''
|[[PEN/Hemingway Award]] for Debut Novel
|'''Winner'''
|<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-23 |title=PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel |url=https://pen.org/pen-hemingway-award/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=PEN America |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|''[[GraceLand]]''
|[[Hurston/Wright Legacy Award]] for Debut Novel
|'''Winner'''
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-11-04 |title=Hurston/Wright Legacies for the Year |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=86 |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=[[Shelf Awareness ]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Abani, Blackbird |url=https://blackbird.vcu.edu/v8n1/features/abani_c/index.shtml |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Blackbird}}</ref>
|-
|''[[GraceLand]]''
|[[California Book Award]] for Fiction
|Silver Medal
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-27 |title=Faculty Biographies {{!}} Master of Fine Arts in Writing |url=https://www.pacificu.edu/mfa-writing/faculty-biographies |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Pacific University |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|''[[GraceLand]]''
|[[Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction|''Los Angeles Times'' Book Prize for Fiction]]
|Finalist
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-25 |title=2004 Los Angeles Times Book Prize - Fiction Winner and Nominees |url=https://www.awardsarchive.com/2004-los-angeles-times-book-prize-fiction-winner-and-nominees/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Awards Archive |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|''[[GraceLand]]''
|[[Commonwealth Writers Prize]] Best Books (Africa Region)
|Finalist
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-06 |title=Chris Abani: I'm as guilty as Achebe |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/chris-abani-im-as-guilty-as-achebe/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" |2006
|"{{Sortname|A|Way To Turn This To Light|nolink=1}}"
|[[Pushcart Prize]] for Poetry
|Nominee
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poets – Vandal Poem of the Day |url=https://poetry.lib.uidaho.edu/poets/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|''[[GraceLand]]''
|[[International Dublin Literary Award]]
|Shortlist
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Shortlist |url=https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/award-archive/2006-shortlist/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=[[International DUBLIN Literary Award]] |language=en-US |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728142534/https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/award-archive/2006-shortlist/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" |2007
|''[[Becoming Abigail]]''
|[[PEN/Beyond Margins Award]]
|Finalist
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Writers at Newark Reading Series: Adrian Matejka and Chris Abani {{!}} Rutgers University - Newark |url=https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/events/writers-newark-reading-series-adrian-matejka-and-chris-abani |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=www.newark.rutgers.edu |language=en |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728142717/https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/events/writers-newark-reading-series-adrian-matejka-and-chris-abani |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|''Sanctificum''
|[[Pushcart Prize]] for Poetry
|Nominee
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Featured Poets {{!}} 2010 {{!}} Biennial Festivals {{!}} Programs {{!}} Split This Rock |url=https://www.splitthisrock.org/programs/festival-biennial/2010/featured-poets/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=www.splitthisrock.org}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" |2008
|''Song For Night''
|[[PEN/Beyond Margins Award]]
|'''Winner'''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Book News: PEN American Center Selects Beyond Margins Award Winners |url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=book-news-pen-american-center-selects-beyond-margins-award-winners |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Library Journal}}</ref>
|-
|''{{Sortname|The|Virgin of Flames|nolink=1}}''
|Lamada Award
|Nominee
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=April 2019 |url=http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/calendar/0419.php |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=writing.upenn.edu}}</ref>
|-
!2009
|''Song For Night''
|[[St. Francis College Literary Prize]]
|Shortlist
|<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=2009-09-16 |title=St. Francis College Literary Prize; NAIBA Book Awards |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1009 |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=[[Shelf Awareness]]}}</ref>
|-
!2015
|''{{Sortname|The|Secret History of Las Vegas}}''
|[[Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Paperback Original]]
|'''Winner'''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2015-05-01 |title=Awards: Edgar Winners; Ridenhour Book |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=2498 |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=[[Shelf Awareness]]}}</ref>
|}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 112: Line 194:
* [http://www.narrativemagazine.com/authors/chris-abani Poems in ''Narrative'' Magazine]
* [http://www.narrativemagazine.com/authors/chris-abani Poems in ''Narrative'' Magazine]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013161819/http://www.literaturfestival.com/bios1_3_6_109.html Biography from the International Literature Festival Berlin]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013161819/http://www.literaturfestival.com/bios1_3_6_109.html Biography from the International Literature Festival Berlin]
* [http://bombmagazine.org/article/2840/chris-abani Chris Abani by Colm Tóibín] ''[[Bomb (magazine)|Bomb]]''
* [http://bombmagazine.org/article/2840/chris-abani Chris Abani by Colm Tóibín] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215144609/http://bombmagazine.org/article/2840/chris-abani |date=15 February 2016 }} ''[[Bomb (magazine)|Bomb]]''
* {{TED speaker}}
* {{TED speaker}}
** [http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_abani_on_the_stories_of_africa Telling stories from Africa] (TEDGlobal 2007)
** [http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_abani_on_the_stories_of_africa Telling stories from Africa] (TEDGlobal 2007)
Line 121: Line 203:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abani, Chris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abani, Chris}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Nigerian novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian poets]]
[[Category:Alumni of Birkbeck, University of London]]
[[Category:Alumni of Birkbeck, University of London]]
[[Category:Crime fiction writers]]
[[Category:Edgar Award winners]]
[[Category:Edgar Award winners]]
[[Category:Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award winners]]
[[Category:Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award winners]]
[[Category:Igbo novelists]]
[[Category:Igbo novelists]]
[[Category:Igbo poets]]
[[Category:Igbo poets]]
[[Category:Igbo-language writers]]
[[Category:Imo State University alumni]]
[[Category:Imo State University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate academics in the United States]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate academics in the United States]]
[[Category:Nigerian people of English descent]]
[[Category:Nigerian male novelists]]
[[Category:Nigerian male poets]]
[[Category:Nigerian male poets]]
[[Category:Nigerian people of English descent]]
[[Category:Nigerian publishers (people)]]
[[Category:Northwestern University faculty]]
[[Category:Northwestern University faculty]]
[[Category:People from Ebonyi State]]
[[Category:People from Ebonyi State]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Nigeria]]
[[Category:University of California, Riverside faculty]]
[[Category:University of Southern California alumni]]
[[Category:University of Southern California alumni]]
[[Category:University of California, Riverside faculty]]
[[Category:African poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Nigerian novelists]]
[[Category:Political prisoners in Nigeria]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian novelists]]
[[Category:Nigerian male novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian poets]]
[[Category:Igbo-language writers]]

Latest revision as of 00:22, 15 August 2024

Chris Abani
Abani in 2019
Born
Christopher Abani

27 December 1966 (1966-12-27) (age 57)
Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
CitizenshipNigerian
EducationImo State University
Birkbeck College, University of London
University of Southern California
Occupation(s)Author, poet, professor
Notable work
Websitewww.chrisabani.com
The poem "Ode to Joy" on a wall in the Dutch city of Leiden

Christopher Abani (born 27 December 1966) is a Nigerian American and Los Angeles- based author. He says he is part of a new generation of Nigerian writers working to convey to an English-speaking audience the experience of those born and raised in "that troubled African nation".

Biography

[edit]

Abani was born in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria. His father was Igbo, while his mother was of English descent.[1]

Abani published his first novel, Masters of the Board, in 1985 at the age of 16.[2] It was a political thriller, the plot of which was an allegory based on a coup that was carried out in Nigeria just before it was written. He was imprisoned for six months on suspicion of an attempt to overthrow the government.[3] He continued to write after his release from jail, but was imprisoned for one year after the publication of his 1987 novel Sirocco.[4] During this time, he was held at the infamous Kiri Kiri prison, where he was tortured.[5] After he was released from jail this time, he composed several anti-government plays that were performed on the street near government offices for two years. He was imprisoned a third time and was placed on death row.[6] However, his friends had bribed government officials for his release in 1991, and immediately Abani, his mother, and his four siblings moved to the United Kingdom, living there until 1999.[7] He then moved to the United States, where he now lives.[8]

Education and career

[edit]

Abani holds a B.A. degree in English and Literary Studies from Imo State University, Nigeria; an M.A. in Gender and Culture from Birkbeck, University of London; an M.A. in English from the University of Southern California; and a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Southern California.[9]

Abani has been awarded a PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, the 2001 Prince Claus Awards, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, a California Book Award, a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award and the PEN/Hemingway Award. Selections of his poetry appear in the online journal Blackbird. From 2007 to 2012, he was Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside. He is currently a Board of Trustees Professor of English at Northwestern University.[10]

His book of poetry, Sanctificum (2010) which was published by Copper Canyon Press, is a sequence of linked poems, bringing together religious ritual, the Igbo language of his Nigerian homeland, and reggae rhythms in a postracial, liturgical love song.

Abani's foray into publishing has led to the formation of the Black Goat poetry series, which is an imprint of New York-based Akashic Books.[11] Poets Kwame Dawes, Christina Garcia, Kate Durbin, Karen Harryman, Uche Nduka, Percival Everett, Khadijah Queen and Gabriela Jauregui have all been published by Black Goat.[12]

Abani's crime novel The Secret History of Las Vegas won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Paperback Original in 2015.[13]

In the summer of 2016, a broad selection of his works was published in Israel by the small independent publishing house Ra'av under the title Shi'ur Geografia (Hebrew for "Geography Lesson"), edited by Noga Shevach and the poet Eran Tzelgov. The collection received great reviews and offered Hebrew readers a first encounter with the poetry of Abani.

Published works

[edit]

Novels

Novellas

Poetry

  • Kalakuta Republic (Saqi, 2001)
  • Daphne's Lot (Red Hen Press, 2003)
  • Dog Woman (Red Hen Press, 2004)
  • Hands Washing Water (Copper Canyon Press, 2006)
  • There are no names for red (Red Hen Press, 2010)
  • Feed me the sun (Peepal Tree Press, 2010)
  • Sanctificum (Copper Canyon Press, 2010)
  • Smoking the Bible (Copper Canyon Press, 2022)

Essays

  • The Face (Restless Books, 2014)

Awards and honours

[edit]

In 2001, Abani received a Middleton Fellowship from the University of Southern California.[14] In 2003, he received the Lannan Foundation Literary Fellowship,[15] as well as the Hellman/Hammet Grant from Human Rights Watch.[16]

In 2006, Becoming Abigail was named an Editor's Choice book for The New York Times,[17] and a Critic's Choice for Chicago Reader.[18] It was also a book club selection for Essence Magazine[19] and Black Expressions.[20]

In 2007, The Virgin of Flames[21] and Song for Night[22] were Editor's Choice picks for The New York Times. The Virgin of Flames was also a Barnes & Noble Discovery Selection,[23] and Becoming Abigail was a New York Libraries Books For Teens Selection.[24]

In 2008, Abani received a Distinguished Humanist Award from the University of California, Riverside.[25]

In 2009, Abani received a Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction.[26]

Awards for Abani's writing
Year Title Award Result Ref.
2001 PEN USA West Freedom-to-Write Award [27]
Prince Claus Award for Literature & Culture [28]
2002 Imbongi Yesizwe Poetry International Award [26]
2005 "Blooding" in StoryQuarterly Pushcart Prize Nominee [29]
GraceLand PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel Winner [26][30]
GraceLand Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Novel Winner [31][32]
GraceLand California Book Award for Fiction Silver Medal [33]
GraceLand Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction Finalist [34]
GraceLand Commonwealth Writers Prize Best Books (Africa Region) Finalist [35]
2006 "A Way To Turn This To Light" Pushcart Prize for Poetry Nominee [36]
GraceLand International Dublin Literary Award Shortlist [37]
2007 Becoming Abigail PEN/Beyond Margins Award Finalist [38]
Sanctificum Pushcart Prize for Poetry Nominee [39]
2008 Song For Night PEN/Beyond Margins Award Winner [40]
The Virgin of Flames Lamada Award Nominee [41]
2009 Song For Night St. Francis College Literary Prize Shortlist [42]
2015 The Secret History of Las Vegas Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Paperback Original Winner [43]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Timberg, Scott (18 February 2007). "Living in the 'perfect metaphor'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 January 2009. But even before he became one of the rare Ugandans [sic] in the Phoenix Inn and one of the few blacks living in East L.A., Abani was what he calls 'an outsider's outsider'. He grew up in small Nigerian cities, the son of an Igbo educator father and a white English-born mother who had met at Oxford, where she was a secretary and he was a post-doc student. Raised Roman Catholic, Abani studied in the seminary as a teenager.
  2. ^ "Chris Abani - Chris Abani Biography - Poem Hunter". www.poemhunter.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Abani, Chris 1967- | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  4. ^ Ace, Micheal (19 July 2019). "Chris Abani | What You Need To Know About The Nigerian-American Legend". ACEworld Publishers. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Chris Abani". Poetry Out Loud. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  6. ^ Foundation, Poetry (28 May 2020). "Chris Abani". Poetry Foundation. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  7. ^ Bookman, Ariel (2011). "Abani, Chris". OxfordAASC.com. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.48083. ISBN 9780195301731. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  8. ^ Chris Abani. Poetry Foundation.
  9. ^ "Chris Abani: Department of English - Northwestern University". english.northwestern.edu. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Northwestern Announces Professorships" Archived 28 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Northwestern University, 27 June 2013.
  11. ^ "Renowned Writer in Africa - Sabi Writers". Sabi Writers. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Chris Abani". Spoken Word Archive. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Category List – Best Paperback Original | Edgars Database".
  14. ^ Pokala, Krishna; Girard, David; Beydoun, Said R (2016). "Different Presentations of Myelopathy—A Case Series". US Neurology. 12 (1): 22. doi:10.17925/usn.2016.12.01.22. ISSN 1758-4000.
  15. ^ "Lannan Foundation". Lannan Foundation. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  16. ^ "Contemporary Poetry". charterforcompassion.org. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  17. ^ "Chris Abani". www.fantasticfiction.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  18. ^ Athitakis, Mark (30 March 2006). "Chris Abani". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  19. ^ "Chris Abani". Brown Girl Reading. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  20. ^ Abani, Chris (March 2006). Becoming Abigail. Akashic Books. ISBN 978-1-888451-94-8.
  21. ^ "Editor's Choice". The New York Times. 4 February 2007. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  22. ^ Casey, Maud (16 September 2007). "Broken Boy Soldier". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  23. ^ "The Virgin of Flames by Chris Abani: 9780143038771 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Editorial Empatia". Editorial Empatia. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  25. ^ "John Simon Guggenheim Foundation | Chris Abani". Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  26. ^ a b c "Guernica and the DISQUIET: International Literary Program Award". Guernica. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Chris Abani". Official site of Chris Abani. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Chris Abani". Department of English: Northwestern University. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Community of Writers". Community of Writers. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  30. ^ "PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel". PEN America. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Hurston/Wright Legacies for the Year". Shelf Awareness . 4 November 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Chris Abani, Blackbird". Blackbird. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Faculty Biographies | Master of Fine Arts in Writing". Pacific University. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  34. ^ "2004 Los Angeles Times Book Prize - Fiction Winner and Nominees". Awards Archive. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Chris Abani: I'm as guilty as Achebe". The Sun Nigeria. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  36. ^ "Poets – Vandal Poem of the Day". Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  37. ^ "2006 Shortlist". International DUBLIN Literary Award. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  38. ^ "Writers at Newark Reading Series: Adrian Matejka and Chris Abani | Rutgers University - Newark". www.newark.rutgers.edu. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  39. ^ "Featured Poets | 2010 | Biennial Festivals | Programs | Split This Rock". www.splitthisrock.org. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  40. ^ "Book News: PEN American Center Selects Beyond Margins Award Winners". Library Journal. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  41. ^ "April 2019". writing.upenn.edu. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  42. ^ "St. Francis College Literary Prize; NAIBA Book Awards". Shelf Awareness. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  43. ^ "Awards: Edgar Winners; Ridenhour Book". Shelf Awareness. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
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