​PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The Sprinng Literary Movement Mentorship Programme is an intensive 3-weeks online programme. 

This programme is for developing writers with great potential and willingness to learn. It is strictly for Nigerian writers between the ages of 16-25 who reside in Nigeria, and who have not published a book. In January 2018, 9 writers were selected to be mentees in the programme and in August 2018, only 15 writers will be selected for this programme.

This programme focuses on 4 genres: Poetry, Fiction, Essays, and Book Review. During the 3-weeks, mentees will be in contact with their mentors, sending them their works and getting reviews, tips, and commentaries. Mentors and mentees will aim to work on at least 3 works (poems/short stories/essays/book reviews) per week. The medium of communication between the mentors and their writers throughout this program will be via email, phone calls, and messages.

Prize: N25,000 Cash and N10,000 gift card to shop at Roving Heights
(Only one winner will be selected)

Prompt: Write a simple poem on any theme of your choice between 5-10 lines

How To Submit
All inquiries and submissions must be sent to sprinngliterarymovement@aol.com
The subject of your submission via email must be “SLM 2018 Poetry Contest: Your Full Name”

Eligibility:
Only Nigerian writers living in Nigeria are eligible for this contest

Contest opens on May 30 and ends on August 1
All updates and additional announcements will be posted on the website: www.sprinng.org

In May 2018, I had the opportunity to have several imaginary seats at the table of an intellectually stimulating discussion with Tolu Akinyemi. The conversation intended to satisfy my selfish curiosity about his writing process and cover-selection or creation process.
 
For those who live under a rock, Tolu Akinyemi aka Poetolu was born in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, Nigeria. His writings have appeared in some notable anthologies such as 'Verses From The Sun,' an Association of Nigerian Authors anthology, 'A Way With Words' (2014 & 2016), a Great British Write Off Anthology and other printed and online outlets. His poetry play 'The Big Society'; written for The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, London was performed at The Greenwich-Lewisham Young People's Theatre, London. In 2017, he was named on the 'Nigerian Writers' Awards' list of '100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers under 40' and also won the 'Poetry Writer of the Year' Award. In March 2017 he obtained an 'Exceptional Talent Endorsement' as a writer, from the Arts Council England. 

 
Tolu currently lives in London, England. He has published 3 books titled; ‘Your Father Walks Like a Crab,’ ‘I Laugh at These Skinny Girls,’ and ‘Funny Men Cannot Be Trusted.’

Tolu Akinyemi is famous for his wit and the humor that he uses to make poetry enjoyable even for those who hate poetry. In addition to being a writer, he is a creative designer, and just like Chioma is to Davido and Folake is to Tekno, Halima is to Tolu Akinyemi. Halima is a character that minds her business until you make it yours. She is a no-nonsense person with limitless shadiness at the tip of her tongue. Just when you say 1, Halima is at 100.

As a fan of both Halima and Tolu Akinyemi, I have always wondered where he finds his inspiration and what his creative process is. During our discussion, he shared that he draws inspiration from many things and experiences, daily. However, he has learned always to find a unique perspective to create poetry and art from such inspiration.

Title: S\HE.IS.LIFE
Genre: Poetry
Author: Olanrewaju Oranyeli
Number of Pages: 133
Date of Publication: May 21, 2018
Publisher: ​Createspace
Reviewer: Oyindamola Shoola
 
In S\HE.IS.LIFE Olanrewaju Oranyeli explores various themes within the context of ‘life.’ He manages this approach to book writing in a way that is not burdensome for a reader unlike in many mono-themed books that I have read.
 
Throughout S\HE.IS.LIFE Lanre writes with a type of wisdom that does not spare a reader from self-reflection. His words explore diverse topics and allow us to be more aware of our human limitations. In the second stanza of a poem titled Ways on page 45, Lanre writes,

No matter
how much
you keep track
of time
it forgets you
in its race
 
Compared to Lanre’s first book “Caricature of Colors” the style of writing as well as the use of punctuation is different. The poems in S\HE.IS.LIFE are shorter and without full stops or periods. I think this provides an overall and deeper meaning to this concept of life that Lanre discusses. The length of the poems signify that human existence on earth is short, and in many verses, Lanre emphasizes having a good quality of living. Additionally, the lack of punctuation, especially full stops or periods gives the message that life’s eternity is beyond man’s control.

Title: Looking for Transwonderland
Genre: Essays
Author: Noo Saro Wiwa
Publisher: Soft Skull Press
Year of Publication: August 21, 2012
Number of Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-1619020078
Reviewer: Ishola Oreofe Temitope

The book, Looking for Transwonderland is a Nigerian travel guide written by the daughter of the late Ken Saro Wiwa: Noo Saro Wiwa. Although the book is not very current, it is still relevant as the author provides perspectives inspired by personal experiences that many Nigerians can find relatable.
 
Noo Saro Wiwa used words which are descriptive and she provides good imageries. She describes various states in Nigeria which she visits to enlighten the reader about the culture, benefits, and disadvantages of living in such places.
 
She starts with Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria plagued with its massive influx of hawkers, people with entrepreneurial spirit, and peppered with a flair for religion. She capitalizes on how smaller institutions thrive against the failure of great Nigerian "State.” Noo Saro Wiwa also recognizes the growing nollywood industry as one with diversity which partakes in improving the Nigerian economy.