OMG! I’M NOW A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!!!!

Late yesterday, I received an email stating that I’d just won the March edition of Isuu’s online short-story contest (Isuu.com). Man! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I shouted for joy only to realize shortly afterwards that I was still at work. Trust my colleagues, they  gathered round immediately, read and said: “Congrats! Uzo, we told you it would happen some day!”

And finally, it has arrived! I’m in cloud nine! This must be a glimpse of Heaven.

Turning The Pages Newsletter (March Edition)

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pic credit: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/521130

Dear friends, allow me to show you the first paragraph from my very first published work (When Your Killer Could Have Been A Child Soldier):

Although the Liberian war is now over, I cannot wish away the memories. There are nights in my sleep when I still find myself dressed in army uniform, AK-47 ready. On these nights I hear the voices of parents calling their children; others joking, shouting: “Where’s your bunker?” The air cracks and I hear the sounds of diving jets and stuttering LMGs. Fire, blood, bullets and bodies everywhere. Things soon simmer to normal as danger passes. People fill the streets, young boys and girls going on various errands. Then he appears in a blood-stained enemy uniform. His oily dark face is teased with abandon. He’s about to aim his rifle at me. In my dreams, he dies in different ways. I’m his killer. Something tells me that he is my son. But I’m too afraid to believe it.

For the rest of the story, please follow the link below:

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/521130

You can find it from page 10-13.

I want to thank you all for your comments and continual support, especially those of you who have been very vocal about your desire to see me in print. Only Heaven knows how much you all mean to me. This is a dream come true. Hopefully, not the last of the good things to come!

In fact, I almost feel like crying.

139 thoughts on “OMG! I’M NOW A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!!!!

  1. Congratulations! I was published for the first time last year and I totally understand how it feels. It really is amazing. Well done 🙂

  2. Congratulations Uzo! Hope that cloud is cozy so that you can stay on it for a while 🙂
    I have only been reading you for a few short weeks but I believe your work merits the success.
    This story is powerful, touching and real as always. As I read it I wondered if you actually experienced what you described…

    1. Hahaha. Lena, your words always have a way of cheering me up! 😀 Thanks for taking your time to read my story. Well, I still have vivid memories of the movie Black Hawk Down. So yeah, it partly inspired me to write such a story.

  3. Congratulations! Great work winning. You will win many more times, insha-allah, all through your life. Keep the faith! God bless u!

    1. Insha-allah!! I love the line! And God has already started His good work. I’ll do my best to keep faith 🙂 Thank you so much, MJ.

  4. Congratulations Uzoma, I’m soooo proud of you and happy to finally see your work in print!! Good job!! I’ll head over and read it now. 🙂 🙂 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, Sandra! I feel so blessed to have your continual support. May blessings also follow you and your family 🙂

  5. Congratulations Uzo! You deserve it, you are an amazing writer. I am very happy for you.
    Will you be posting the links to your articles each time you get published?

      1. I’m sure it is.
        I’m yet to follow the link for the first one. I’ll do that as soon I’m in front of a PC. Surfing on his ratty phone sucks!

  6. Congratulations, Uzo. Persistence, a palanquin full of talent, hither and thither a mot juste, and presto–a published author.

  7. I’ve only followed you for a short while but I can definitely tell you deserve it! Congrats, Uzoma. I’ve to wait till Monday to quarrel with my bank and then I’ll be able to read the full story. Congrats again.

    1. LOL-you have a way of talking. And it good to have you on board. I can send it over if you want–that’s if those bank guys continue to dance azonto 🙂

      1. Yay!!! Would u, pls? Coz I’m hearing everyone here talk about how wonderful it is and I don’t want to wait till Monday. I’ll love u for life!
        And hey, wetin do my way of talking??

  8. Excellent & congrats! I don’t even know you, but I know this joy you’re speaking of. It is great validation, and awesome in the very winning.

    Good on you 🙂

    1. Aww, you must be a kind spirit then. And I’d like to know you better. People like you make our world a better place. Thanks for the kind words, my dear friend.

    1. Yes, Soumyav. It feels so good to join the realm where you and other published and intelligent authors are. Thanks for the support.

  9. Congrats Uzo! Wow! I don’t know which is better the thought of your work being in print or the joy of being able to read your work!!! U are a very inspiring and talented writer! Your talent deserves to be showcased, spread and read! God bless!!!!

  10. Congratulations, this is indeed such wonderful news! You deserve such a blessing, after all of your hard work. I’m am absolutely positive that you will have many more moments like this in your future, and I can’t wait to read more of your inspiring and unforgettable stories. 🙂

    1. Yah! Send that positive energy my way LOL. My world rocked the day I got the news. Such news is sooooo reassuring. Thanks so much, Whitney!

  11. Congratulations Uzoma, I am so proud of you my brother! My happiness for you rivals your own! You are a great writer- poet, and this is just the beginning of many more to come! God bless and much love to you!

    1. And I say a big “Amen” to that, bro. It’s a turning point in my writing, obviously for the best. Thanks for your prayers and support.

  12. I am not at all surprised by this, Uzoma. You have a strong, clear voice that rings true. And you have much to say. Congratulations. I am looking forward to read many published works by you! This is just the beginning….

  13. Sincere congratulations Uzoma – well done indeed, I love hearing when fellow writers make it into a publication, it gives such credibility to your work. I can see you building upon this success in the near future my friend – you will go from strength to strength, just you wait and see! I’ll comment again when I can give the time that the story deserves. Fantastic – you’ve made my day!

    1. And you have made my day with such an awesome comment as well. I pray for success…and this prayer I make for everyone including your, my good and honest friend. Please keep writing those stories and poem.

  14. Hey Uzo! Congratulations!!! Well deserved. Only recently started following your work and I am happy to see it recognized in print. Keep up the good work. Its only just the beginning of many more good things to come.

    1. Thank you, SA, for the awesome support and it is a pleasure to meet you. Hope you find your time here worthwhile as times goes on.

  15. Congratulations, Uzo! This is awesome news and your intro here was just as amazing! I think you’ve visited me before and I apologize if it’s been awhile since I’ve been here. I can’t seem to catch up in blogville! But, I’ll look around some more and again, congratulations!

    Lauren 🙂

    1. O I’m so excited you dropped by, Lauren!!! I am still a huge fan of your writing. But I know am not the only one as you have a lot of followers who have wonderful blogs too. Your visit is like gazing at a wonderful sunrise. And I’m grateful for it. Please there is no need to apologize 🙂 as I also have to struggle at times in order to keep up. Thank you so much for the congratulatory remark. God bless you.

  16. O I’m so excited you dropped by, Lauren!!! I am still a huge fan of your writing. But I know am not the only one as you have a lot of followers who have wonderful blogs too. Your visit is like gazing at a wonderful sunrise. And I’m grateful for it. Please there is no need to apologize 🙂 as I also have to struggle at times in order to keep up. Thank you so much for the congratulatory remark. God bless you.

  17. Congratulation!! I came to read what was up with you and surprise!
    I’m so happy for you Uzo!!! This is amazing news, you deserve it too my friend.
    And I loved what I’ve read so far, keep up the good work.

    1. Indeed, it’s sooo amazing! l lost myself to the moment. Now I have to face the other challenges ahead. Thanks for stopping by! You’re a blessing 🙂

  18. Wow! Congratulations!
    We are proud of you and I believe that this is just the beginining of greater relevance and a step to much greater heights.
    I am personally happy for you.
    Many cheers! 🙂

  19. Fantastic! So happy for you. You are very talented, and your work reflects that. It was only a question of time. Congrats Uzoma!

    1. Aw, thanks dear. It’s an honour to receive such a comment from a talented writer (well, in another field) like you as well!

  20. That’s really awesome, Uzo. Even when a single short poem gets published in any broadsheet one feels really glad. Congrats a ton. ^_^
    *PARTY TIME*
    *FIRE WORKS*
    *CHEERS*
    LOL 😀

  21. Congrats Uzoma… I’m an aspiring story writer. I love to enquire with you few things that I come across while I write. Looking forward to contacting you.

  22. Oh thank you so much for the congratulatory remark. Please feel free to contact me anytime. I wish you the very best with your writing.

    1. Aw, thanks a million. And no, you’re far from being late. Positive remarks have a way of doing wonders regardless of the time they arrive. There is a saying in my mother tongue. “A man’s morning is truly when he wakes from sleep.” It simply means man must embrace the timing of everything.

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