Abena Eyeson
British Ghanaian writer, creating stories about children
Represented by Gill McLay of Bath Literary Agency
FAB Prize 2021 Commended Text Prize winner
Jericho Prize 2021 Picture book longlisted
Longlisted TLC Pen Factor Writing Prize 2022
Twitter @ey_abs, Instagram @lookingup_ab, Facebook @LookingupAE
I’m a writer of Ghanaian descent, based in the UK, writing contemporary stories for children with crossover appeal.
I’m delighted by the positive response my work has received so far, and I’m looking forward to sharing my future books as they come to fruition, but in the meantime, check out my current work in
the Books section (where you will find links to bookstores selling my books)
and
keep up to date with my news in the news/media section and by subscribing.
A story about family, friendship and starting again
ISBN 978-1-916000407
(Distributed by Ingram)
Available to buy from:
Amazon (UK, US and all other Amazon regions )- ebook and paperback
Goodreads (reviews and links to booksellers)
Afrori Books (UK) paperback
Bookshop.org (UK) paperback
Barnes and Noble online (US)- paperback
Loyalty Books (US) - paperback
Politics and Prose Bookstore (US) - paperback
Chapters/Indigo online (Canada) - paperback
Booktopia (Australia) - paperback
Exclusive books (South Africa) - paperback
Loot Online (South Africa) - paperback
"Looking Up is a breezy read that gives great insight into teenage life, immigrant viewpoints, and multicultural perspectives."
Anastasia Shown, Published in Africa Access Review (October 1, 2019)
"Abena Eyeson has penned a gripping family drama with engaging and emotional plot lines that makes it impossible to put down this book. Remember the last time you read a book in a few sittings? Get ready when you pick up the story of Esi Asantewa in 'Looking Up.' What a brave girl Esi is! I would be disappointed if I did not see this family drama in a cinema near me in future."
Nataka Books Review, January 2022
"Looking Up' made me ponder on what it must have felt like for my pre-teen sister to leave everything she knew in Ghana and make a new life in the UK. We often overlook the impact that this has on children. Abena's book addresses it." Book review, Akadi magazine, February 2021
" A sensitive and delightful story of tension and reconciliation in a Ghanaian family in London."
Professor A N Mensah, Retired Professor of English, University of Ghana, 2019.
Book 2
My second novel is out on submission to publsiehrs, Fingers crossed, it finds a publishing home soon.
Short Bio
Education
I have a BA (Hons) in Law and Sociology and a Masters in Industrial Relations from Warwick University, England as well as a PhD in Development Studies from University of East Anglia, England.
Why do I write fiction?
My love of books, drama and writing led me to start creating fiction. I aim to create strong central characters dealing with the challenges that life has presented them with.
Personal
I am married with three children which is wonderful but demanding too.
Did you know ...
At school and at university, I loved acting on stage and performing poetry. I remember being the only non-drama student in a university drama production. I guess the ability to imagine being someone else helps me write fiction.
Literary Agent
I am represented by Gill McLay of Bath Literary Agency.
My News/ Media
Interviews, Reviews, Magazine and Newspaper features
#children'sbookpodcast #writingpodcast #children'swriterspodcast #africanchildrenwriterspodcast #melanindjaliconversation
I am pleased to have been longlisted for the 2022 TLC Pen Factor writing prize. Congratulations to all those long longlisted, shortlisted, the finalist and winner.
TLC Pen Factor Winner Receives £2,000 of writing support - The Literary Consultancy
#TLCpenfactor #BAWF #BAWF2022 #Writingawards
I am looking forward to appearing at the Herts Book Festival in May 2022.
Herts Book Festival – Because books are for everyone!
#hertsbookfestival #booksareforeveryone #blackbritishbooks #diversereads
I am very excited to have been longlisted for the inaugural Jericho Prize for a picture book that I wrote.
https://www.jerichoprize.com/home/our-longlists
#jerichoprize
#abenaeyeson
#picturebooks
I was a Commended Text Winner in the FAB Prize 2021 for my new novel Running my Race, which is not yet published. Thank you #FaberChildren.
#FABPrize #AbenaEyeson
https://www.twitter.com/FaberChildrens/status/1453412385847394307?s=20
Check out this lovely review of Looking Up on the Nataka Books blog:
Nataka Books Review: Looking Up by Abena Eyeson
#bookreview #africanbookreview
#recommendedbook #migrationstories #ghanabook #blackbritishauthor #lookingup #blackbritishbook #buyabook
#natakabooks
#africannovel #cleanreads
See this lovely review by Farida at Bookreview Cafe Nigeria. https://twitter.com/BookwormCafeNG/status/1495834563100164101?t=PSOasjH5u4KaTl3k8Q5jeA&s=03
#BookReview #lookingup #africanbooks #ghanabooks #cleanreads
Thanks for the 4 star review on your blog @heyanci
HeyAnci – God's own arrow shot for his glory (wordpress.com)
#bookreview #africanbookreview #bookrecommendation #recommendedbook #blackyabook #migrationstories #ghanabook #africanbooks #blackbritishauthor #lookingup #blackbritishyabook #yabook #lookingup #cleanreads
Thanks for the wonderful review on your blog @Michaela Woelk. Read the full review on her blog Author | Michaela Woelk
#bookreview #africanbookreview #bookrecommendation #recommendedbook #blackyabook #migrationstories #ghanabook #africanbooks #blackbritishauthor #lookingup #blackbritishyabook #yabook #lookingup #cleanreads
Check it out
#toastyreads #lookingup #bookspotlight #bookish #books #familydrama #yalit #mglit #teenfiction #diverse #mustread
Azuraye - Twitter: @chocpud85 (@chocpud_tales) • Instagram photos and videos
#bookreview #africanbookreview #recommendedbook #blackyabook #migrationstories #ghanabook #blackbritishauthor #lookingup #blackbritishyabook #yabook #lookingup #cleanreads
https://www.akadimagazine.com/post/a-review-of-looking-up-by-abena-eyeson
#childrensfiction #teenfiction #bookreview
#blackbookreview #africanbookreview
#blackbritishbookreview
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