Tolu' A Akinyemi
Tolu' A Akinyemi is a Nigerian writer and poet best known for his poetry book Dead Lions Don't Roar.[1][2][3]
Tolu' A Akinyemi | |
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Akinyemi at the North East Expo | |
Born | Toluwalope Adeola Akinyemi Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria |
Other names | Lion of Newcastle |
Alma mater | Ekiti State University, University of Hertfordshire |
Occupation | Writer, poet |
Notable work | Dead Lions Don't Roar (2017) Dead Dogs Don't Bark Dead Cats Don't Meow |
Website | tolutoludo |
Career
Akinyemi moved from Nigeria to the UK in 2010 and has since published nine books.[4][5][6][7] Akinyemi released his debut book of poetry, Dead Lions Don't Roar, in 2017, which contained a variety of themes the author had discussed over a decade of his blogging.[8]
Akinyemi released Dead Dogs Don't Bark, his second book containing 160 poems, in 2018.[9] The book was re-released in 2019.[10] His third book of poetry, Dead Cats Don't Meow, was released in April 2019 and featured a multi-national book tour of the UK and Nigeria.[11]
Akinyemi's books have been released both in print and on OkadaBooks, a Nigerian app which let readers read books on their phone at a lower cost than print. His poems have been analysed as being "poetry of uplift" by the journal English Studies in Africa.[12]In 2020, he won the Best Indie Book Award for his poetry collection A Booktiful Love[13]
Akinyemi is also a performance poet and has headlined at Great Northern Slam, Crossing The Tyne Festival, Feltonbury Arts and Music Festival, and featured in various Poetry Festivals, Poetry Slam, Spoken Word and Open Mic events in and outside the United Kingdom. He was named as a writer with exceptional talent by the Arts Council England[14][15]
Philanthropy
Since 2017, Akinyemi has donated a percentage from the proceeds of his books to charity. He supported the Age UK Northumberland's friendship line campaign with £1000.[16][17][18]
Personal life
Akinyemi was born Toluwalope Adeola Akinyemi in Ado-Ekiti. He is a trained Economist with a degree from Ekiti State University and a master's degree in Accounting and Financial Management from University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.[19][20]
Bibliography
- Dead Lions Don't Roar: A collection of poetic wisdom for the discerning ISBN 978-1-999815905[21][22]
- Unravel your Hidden Gems ISBN 1999815998 T & B Global Concepts Ltd (April 2018)[23]
- Dead Dogs Don't Bark, ...and they don't bite ISBN 978-1999815929 T & B Global Concepts Ltd (September 2018)[24]
- Dead Cats Don't Meow – Don't waste the ninth life. ISBN 9781999815943 T & B Global Concepts Ltd (April 2019)[25][26]
- Never Play Games With The Devil ISBN 9781999815967 The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD (August 2019)[27]
- A Booktiful Love ISBN 9781913636005 The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD (May 8, 2020)
- Inferno of Silence ISBN 9781913636029 The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD (May 7, 2020)
- Black # Inferior ISBN 978-1913636067 The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD (Jan 1, 2021)
- Never Marry a Writer ASIN B08LR144Y7 The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD (2021)[28]
References
- Moyosore, Faith Agboola. "Great blend of themes". The Nation. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Adebayo, Bukola. "Akinyemi out with Dead Lions Don't Roar". The Punch NG. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Literary, Review. "Grab Your Chance Now". The Sun: Voice of the Nation. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "Amazon Author Central". Amazon Author Central. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "With Unravel Your Hidden Gems, Tolu Akinyemi digs deep for glory". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- The, Partner. "OkadaBooks For the Weekend Featuring 'Never Play Games with the Devil". Business Day. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- The Newsroom. "Poet to see work in print". New post leader UK. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Akubiro, Henry (16 September 2017). "Grab your chance now". The Sun (Nigeria).
- Akubiro, Henry (23 March 2019). "Wake Up From Your Slumber".
- Nwankumor, Gregory Austin (7 July 2019). "Akinyemi and the realities of life in Dead Dogs Don't Bark".
- "New book, Dead cats don't meow, hits shelves in April". Vanguard Nigeria. 24 February 2019.
- Hållén, Nicklas (2018). "OkadaBooks and the Poetics of Uplift". English Studies in Africa. 61 (2): 36–48. doi:10.1080/00138398.2018.1540152. S2CID 166164213.
- "Best Indie Book Award". Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- "New Book Launch Makes Hat Trick For Local Author". Northern Insight UK. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "Explore University of Hertfordshire Library". University of Hertfordshire Library. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "New book to raise funds for Age UK Northumberland". Northumberland Age UK. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Northern Insight UK. "Tolu Supports Sunshine Fund". Issue 35. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Anna, Toms. "Business Book to Raise Charitable Funds". Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Isobel, Sophie. "Dead Lion's Don't Roar". BDaily UK. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Okolo, Edwin. "With "Dead Lions Don't Roar", Tolu Akinyemi opts for relatable simplicity". Ynaija. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "Explore the British Library". The British Library. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Realistic, Poetry. "'Dead Lions Don't Roar' by Author Tolu' A. Akinyemi". Realistic Poetry International. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Akinbuiro, Henry. "Discovering the genius in you". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Nwakunor, Gregory Austin. "Akinyemi and the realities of life in Dead Dogs Don't Bark". The Guardian NG. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Ucheibe, Ijeoma. "Tolu Akinyemi's Dead Cats Don't Meow is "Extremely Empowering"". The BagusNG. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "New book, Dead Cats Don't Meow hits shelves". Vanguard ngr. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Toms, Anna. "Never Play Games With The Devil". London Connected. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- Landsman, Jordana. "Never Marry a Writer by Tolu' A. Akinyemi". The US Review of Books. Retrieved 8 January 2021.