The ROX-TV “Artist 5” Series is back. Tonight we talk to the author Peter Okonkwo about his latest releases and more

Welcome back to the Artist 5 Series Peter. We are always honored to have you with us. It’s been a while since we last talked. For the readers out there, Peter was kind enough to send me a copy of Fate, In The Dungeon of Doom, which he published this year. I have to say, his writings moved me and also made me think deeply about my own involvement with Fate and Destiny. If you would be so kind Peter, and tell the readers how long it took for you to create this wonderful book?

Firstly, I’d love to thank you for having me again on ROX-TV, I appreciate it. I started working on Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom after I had my first anthology, Ecstasy of the Dead published in October 2020. You know, I’ve always thought about the mysteries and spirituality of human fate and so I started working on “Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom” which took me 5 months to complete. 

For people who have not read the book yet. Please tell them what they can expect from Fate, In The Dungeon of Doom, what kind of ride will it take them on?

Thank you so much. Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom, is a sort of book that speaks to every human being. You know, we all have fate that we live by day-to-day and a purposeful human would want to know more about his “own” fate. The book is intrinsically centered on the ideas of human fate, the philosophical notion of a wandering fate, or that that is in the right trajectory. The book seeks to expound on the difference between human fate and destiny, arousing questions like – if fate is a making-of ourselves or an anonymous destination; if the lifetime of a man is solely in congruous with his destiny; and the reality of fate itself when a man is faced with diverse chronic life-threatening circumstances. You know as a writer, I love to write about difficult things, which makes my poems so relatable that the readers would find it speaking to themselves. 

So, an impending reader of Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom should be prepared to read an evocative poem on the theme of human destiny, and as multitudes of questions are asked in the book you may want to add yours. 

Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom is actually the follow up to a previous writing that you completed and published called Ecstasy of the Dead. Can you tell the readers about Ecstasy of the Dead. Do they share any common thread or themes? Do you recommend the readers starting with Ecstasy of the Dead before reading Fate, In The Dungeon of Doom?

The only thing that they shared in common is “The poems of Kwame”. Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom, is made up of three-part (The poems of Fate, The poems of Kwame, and Other Poems). The first part questioned the notion of human fate, the second part was a continuation of the story of Kwame which was set in Ecstasy of the Dead. Well, a reader doesn’t necessarily have to start from Ecstasy of the Dead, each book can be read separately because there aren’t many similarities to them except for the poems of Kwame in the second section of Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom. 

I know you’ve been doing a lot of interviews to promote the book. What has been your most memorable or favorite experience in that process so far?

I haven’t had a great medium to promote the book except for a couple of BookTubers who has reviewed the book and my marketing effort. Nonetheless, I’ve had an interview with the Central Booking platform hosted by John Valeri, and I’ve been invited by BM the Poet to talk about the book on his podcast show and both experiences have been so memorable and fascinating to a reasonable degree. 

I know the readers want to know what you’re up to now. Are you working on any new writing projects at the moment? If so, can you give us a sneak peak into what those writing might be about?

Thank you so much, I’m currently working on my first novel, Etean’s Destiny as well as a children’s poetry book. The children’s book should be up in late February 2022 though I haven’t decided on a title for it yet. Also, I’m not certain when Etean’s Destiny will be completed though I’ve been on it for some while. 

As a wonderful poet, where do you find your inspiration to create your work?

Well, as to my source of inspiration I’ll say that they’re divinely sourced because most times I particularly marvel at the profundity of my works, and I would sometimes ask myself “Peter, did you wrote that?” You know, most of my works are deep and somewhat beyond my intellectual resolution and age; that reminds me of John Valeri’s praise for my third book, “Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment?” Valeri said that “Peter Okonkwo is a talented wordsmith who is wise beyond his years” and I’ve also had readers emailed me asking to know what instigated my poems and that they find it so relatable. But I think it’s a gift whose source of inspiration can be traced back to God though I sometimes write from what I’ve experienced and what I’ve seen around me, and as it stumbles across my mind – I get my pen to perform the work.  

Can you talk about what influences you as a poet? Who are some people or artists or other poets that really inspire you to keep pushing with the craft?

It would be funny if I say that no particular author or poet influenced me as a writer. I do not have a literary background and so I’m not familiar with most poets/artists’ writings. My works are born from self-drive, inner passion, and the force of not stopping until victory is achieved. I think if someone knows where he or she is going to, he need not wait for someone to push, motivate or encourage him. Though I often find pleasure in people that are already successful in this field, yet I do not have a particular poet whose work inspired me to write, the drive comes from within and I obediently follow it. 

What is the literary scene like in your hometown these days? Do you find that young people still enjoy the written verse? Or are too many minds being lost to social media and instant gratification entertainment without a soul? If so, how do we fix this and get people back to the arts?

Well, I think the answer to this question will be a subjective type as I can’t speak collectively for multitudes in my locality. Though, it is saddening and obvious that most contemporary youths aren’t moved by the art of writing anymore. There is a great diversion to entertainment and social media like you said. The act of reading among the young people in my country is nothing to write home about, especially in this era when some people nurture the notion that “school na scam”. Most people don’t read anymore except they’re doing it to pass an examination. And as to my opinion of what could be done to fix this. I think it’s left for every young people to see reading as a part of life, they should see it as something that is beyond examination because ordinarily there is absolute value in reading and until they begin to find out that there is value and power in reading, then, convincing them would be a hard nut to crack. 

I hope you are well my friend. Before we end this interview please let me know who you are shouting out tonight?

My shout-out goes to all my supporters on YouTube, I can’t mention names but I’ll love to specifically thank Mrs. Teresa James, the founder of the Authors Spot, her support has been so intriguing and influential. I will also love to make some shout-out to my praisers of “Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment?” In person of Shawna Baca, John Valeri, Nicole Gillespie, Cyrus Webbs, and Alden Lori Holuta. They gave fantastic analysis of my third book which was published alongside the book.

Thanks to my friend Peter for stopping by and taking with us. I wish him well and encourage the readers to keep coming back for a multitude of interesting topics at ROX-TV. We are friends to the arts and everyone is welcome here. Till next time…

Signing Off,

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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