Lola Shoneyin not intimidated by Orange prize competition

The mother of four says the nomination is “very pleasing” and she is quite happy for all her publishers who will definitely sell more of the books because of the development. However, she is keeping her feet on the ground concerning the 30, 000 pound sterling prize to be awarded “I’m not thinking too far […]

The mother of four says the nomination is “very pleasing” and she is quite happy for all her publishers who will definitely sell more of the books because of the development.

However, she is keeping her feet on the ground concerning the 30, 000 pound sterling prize to be awarded

“I’m not thinking too far ahead because so many of those writers on that list are fantastic writers that I myself respect,” she said.

Some of the writers long listed alongside Shoneyin are Sudanese writer Leila Aboulela for Lyric Alley, British/Sierra Loenean Aminatta Forna for Memory of Love and Emma Donoghue for Room alongside 16 others.

Asked if the calibre of writers on the long list intimidates her, Shoneyin said, “Lola Shoneyin is not intimidated but Lola Shoneyin recognises and appreciates brilliance and there can only be one winner.”

Though she admits she has not experienced any euphoria over the nomination, Shoneyin says it must be a great feat judging from her publishers and fan’s reactions.

“I was extremely happy when I heard. My publishers from all over the world called me to congratulate me. It must be a great thing and I am sure that it is,” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to her Nigerian fans that have been supportive of her and are rooting for her to clinch the prize.

“They’ve been excellent. They have been so lovely and warm and I always say that Nigerians really gather round and support their own. On the day of the nomination, I got God knows how many Facebook request and Twitter followings and I was so overwhelmed and trying to respond to everybody and say thank you and I want them to know how much I appreciate their gestures and their words,” the writer said.

The Orange Prize for Literature was instituted in 1996 to honour women writers who might have been overlooked in other major international awards. Nigeria’s Chimamanda Adichie was shortlisted for the prize in 2004 for her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus and eventually clinched the prize in 2007 for her second effort, Half of a Yellow Sun.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives which focuses on polygamy and the dirty secrets of a histrionic Baba Segi, has been published in the US, the UK and the Nigerian edition was released last December. The Dutch version has just been released.