An interview with Emem Uko. Read our review of her book, Façade here.

LE: Hello Emem, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Emem: I am from Akwa-Ibom state and grew up in Port Harcourt. I was a science student in secondary school. I went to Federal Government Girls’ College, Ikot Obio Itong. I studied business administration and got a BA and an MBA at Principia College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, USA, respectively. I reside in Massachusetts.

LE: What you do for a living? Is writing your full time job?

Emem: I work at a non-profit organization, doing fund-raising and donor relations. Writing is part of my daily life at work and off work.

LE: When did you start writing and what prompted it?

Emem: I never planned to be a writer, but I knew how to tell stories. I can come up with the most ridiculous tale with ease. It is fun to do. I soon adopted writing to relieve stress. I started a blog during my master’s program. One day, I realized that the story I’d been writing was taking shape as a book. The book is now known as Facade, which was published in 2015. I continued writing because of the encouragement I received from readers and I don’t plan to stop any time soon.

LE: Are you currently working on any book and if you are, what is it about?

Emem: I am currently working on a book that isn’t in my usual genre. One of the major characters faces difficulties and travels to a place where she hopes to stay unknown. But it’s a small world and you can’t run away from everyone and everything. It’s my first time exploring adult romance and writing this book has taught me so much. I hope everyone will enjoy it.

LE: Lastly, what are your hobbies?

Emem: In my downtime, I love to read, write, draw and watch foreign movies that have subtitles.

Emem has four published books:

Façade

Janus

Hers to Tell

Notice Me

She is on Twitter and has a blog.