Today we’d like to introduce you to Unoma Nwankwor.
Hi Unoma, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When God gives you subtle hints and you ignore them, sometimes He sends in the big guns to get your attention.
I’ve been a storyteller ever since I could remember. The spirit of encouragement and writing are some of my gifts, but I let fear and thinking I wasn’t good enough hold me back for years. I told myself, “Nobody wants to read what you have to say”. In early 2012, I had a medical episode on a plane that landed me in ICU for a week and a four-month-long recovery. That was my wake-up call. My new mission: To live my life with the intent of leaving an inspiring legacy and dying empty. So, with a push from my husband, I started writing my first novel. An Unexpected Blessing was published in 2013.
As a first-generation Nigerian American, I have had the privilege of living on two continents for an extended period. Being born in the U.S., spending my formative years in Nigeria and my adulthood in Atlanta where I currently reside gives me a unique perspective from which I weave my tales. My characters share that perspective.
I’m passionate about my faith in God, shedding light on a different kind of Africa from that which has long been portrayed to the world, and the happily ever after at the end of the movie. Hence, I write stories that fuse faith, romance, and the spice of Africa. With 20-plus novels under my belt and writing the story for a movie shot in LA called Muna. I’m still in love with creating stories of love, family, fellowship, hope & Black joy as I was when I first started. My desire is that readers come away from my books being edified, educated and of course, a lot of humor-filled entertainment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? I don’t think I remember the meaning of that word. LOL. To answer the question though, no, the road hasn’t been a smooth one. Still isn’t. I just know how to navigate it better.
Storytelling is easy for me. As an avid reader, I mean ferrous reader, I knew how to tell a story, down to the peaks and valleys. I didn’t know what they were called but I knew them. However, storytelling is not all there is to becoming an author. My first obstacle was learning and mastering the craft of writing. Then the publishing business.
I write about faith and romance without waxing poetic about the woes, misery, poverty, or hard life of Africans, so a traditional publisher was not my first go. I decided to indie publish.
Then I had to find my tribe which after ten years I’m so grateful for. This year, I want to work on expansion and elevation.
The creativity and business of what I do constantly change. Maintaining who I am, my goal, and my promises and adjusting to the times, and keeping up with trends (depending on what they are) takes a certain finesse. Nothing good comes easy, so I’m not so concerned that the road isn’t smooth but that I’m able and willing to navigate it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My publication company is called KevStel Publications. We are a subsidiary of KevStel Productions & Publications.
Our mission at KevStel Publications is to bring you quality, heartwarming stories of faith, hope and love fused with the spice of Africa. Through the pages of our books, we aim to provide you with entertaining stories, share principles of faith, hope and love while shining light on the culture of the Continent. The productions leg of my company has two movies under its belt, Tempting Fate and Muna.
I’m also the founder of Expectant Living. An important part of my ministry through fiction, non-fiction or speaking is hope and the beauty of persevering through storms. Hebrew 10:32-39
I’m very passionate about inspiring, motivating and encouraging Christian Entrepreneurs (Christianpreneurs) or Creatives who know they are commissioned for a purpose but are weary and stagnated in the wait for their breakthrough. Expectant Living is about living in your present uncertain reality with JOY because you KNOW based on God’s promises, something GOOD is about to happen. It might not be what you consider “good” but because all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, it will be good for YOU.
We are most proud of providing consistent content (books and movies) dedicated to bridging the gap between Africa and the Black Diaspora that provide purposeful entertainment.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Currently, we’re in the beginning stages of a new movie. Getting in from the ground up is very important. Visit this link to find out you can collab with us on this project. https://kevstel.com/chukora/
Also, if there are any local or domestic bookstores that are willing to carry our books on consignment or host a book signing, please contact us at [email protected]
Lastly, you can also support us by buying and sharing our products.
Films are on Amazon Prime, https://amzn.to/3QG23Iw
Books are available in print and eBook on all major online platforms. https://bit.ly/UNBooksLinks
Contact Info:
- Website: www.UnomaNwankwor.com or www.kevstel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unwankwor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNwankworAuthor/
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/unwankwor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KevinNwankwor/featured
- Other: https://www.goodreads.com/unomsky
Image Credits
Chris Willard Photography for only one of the pictures.
