Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Inferno of Silence by Tolu’ A. Akinyemi @toluakinyemi @RABTBookTours





Literary Fiction
Date Published: 08 May 2020
Publisher: The Roaring Lion Newcastle Ltd
photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

The first collection of short stories by this multitalented author entwines everyday events that are articulated in excellent storytelling. The title story "Inferno of Silence" portrays men's societal challenges and the unspoken truths and burdens that men bear. While "Black lives Matter" shows the firsthand trauma of a man facing racism as a footballer plying his trade in Europe.Stories range from "Return Journey" where we encounter a techpreneur/ Poet/Serial Womanizer confronting consequences of his past actions to "Blinded by Silence" where a couple united by love must face a political upheaval changing their fortune. Completed with stories of relationships: "Trouble in Umudike" - family wealth and marriage, "Everybody don Kolomental" where the main character deals with mental health issues, and "In the Trap of Seers" when one's life is on auto-reverse and with the death of her confidante, her mother as she takes us through her ordeal and journey to redemption. This is a broad and very inclusive collection.


Interview with Tolu’ A. Akinyem

For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
Readers interested in African Culture and contemporary issues will find this a very absorbing collection of short stories. With stories that touch on the core of racism, mental health issues, trauma and abusive relationships, readers will find the themes varying and the subjects relatable.

How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?
With the title story “Inferno of Silence”, I discovered that there are few stories that portrays the agony men face in relationships and I wanted to write a story that will draw readers into the dilemma that men in face in relationships and how society expects a man to be a man while getting choked in a relationship that is not working. While in the story “Black Lives Matter”, as a football fan who has seen footballers endure racial slurs in football stadia’s around the World, I wanted to tell a story on a current issue that most people will relate with. With the other stories — “Everybody don Kolomental”, I wanted to write a story that portrayed mental health issues and coping mechanisms to not getting consumed under the weight of issues. And with the other stories, I wanted to write about current issues like prejudices against the girl-child, gender inequality, and religious and tribal fanaticism.

What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My goals for writing this book were not just to write a collection of stories but to write an impactful collection of Short Stories. I wanted my readers to read the stories and feel the pain and emotions of my characters. I wanted my readers to reflect and not be too hard on themselves. Also, I wanted to lend my voice to the “Black Lives Matter” movement. And from the early reviews and feedback, it’s been immense and mind-blowing.

Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thank you for taking the time to read my stories and for the reviews and feedback. I’m deeply satisfied that you find the stories captivating and relatable.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The character development was one aspect of the book that I truly enjoyed.

Can you tell us a little about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
I have two poetry collections “Black ≠ Inferior” and “Never Marry a Writer” scheduled for release in early 2021.

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since my early teens but I always like to quote over 10 years, which to be fair should read over 20 years.

Can you tell us a bit about the characters in Inferno of Silence?
In the Story “Inferno of Silence”, Kunle was a man, a man whose wife invoked unfamiliar emotions within him. Which he did not bear so gracefully. With his wife Adaeze, it was difficult to draw a line between feminism and extremism. How well Kunle handled the situation was something he had to navigate. With varying advice from his father, Uncle and Pastor? It’s a conundrum that Kunle had to resolve.

If you could spend the day with one character from Inferno of Silence, who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.
I would go out with “Adaeze” in the story Inferno of Silence and would have a heart to heart with her in an open field. My key message to her would be that men are also emotional beings and whatever baggage of hurt and brokenness she bore, should not be dumped on her partner “Kunle”.

I’d chose Adaeze because these days there is a thin line between extremism and feminism.

 About the Author

Tolu’ A. Akinyemi hails from Nigeria and lives in the UK where he has been endorsed by the Arts Council England as a writer with “exceptional talent”. Tolu is the author of seven outstanding books, one of which is a collection of ‘short essays’ encouraging you to “Unravel Your Hidden Gems”. The five other books form the basis of his poetry collection, ripe for future growth, and which includes Dead Lions Don’t Roar, Dead Dogs Don’t Bark, Dead Cats Don’t Meow, Never Play Games with the Devil and his latest release, A Booktiful Love. He has also authored a widely acclaimed stellar collection of Short stories titled “Inferno of Silence”.
A former headline act at Great Northern Slam, Crossing The Tyne Festival, Feltonbury Arts and Music Festival, and featured in various Poetry Festivals, Open Slam, Poetry Slam, Spoken Word and Open Mic events in and outside the United Kingdom. His poems have been published in The Writers Cafe Magazine Issue 18 and 57th issue (Volume 15, no 1) of the Wilderness House Literary Review and many other literary outlets.
His books are based on a deep reality and often reflect relationships, life and features people he has met in his journey as a writer. His books have instilled many people to improve their performance and/or their circumstances. Tolu’ has taken his poetry to the stage, performing his written word at many events. Through his writing and these performances, he supports business leaders, other aspiring authors and people of all ages interested in reading and writing. Sales of the books have allowed Tolu’ donate to charity, allowing him to make a difference where he feels important, showing that he lives by the words he puts to page.

Contact Links
 
Purchase Links
Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited
 


RABT Book Tours & PR

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for hosting!