WRITER LANDS DEAL WITH MAJOR BOOK COMPANY

Christian Ola Awonubi has recently signed a book deal with HarperCollins UK division, One More Chapter, for world rights to A Nurse’s Tale and one additional title.

Rev Samuel, 61, currently Senior Pastor at the NTA New Generation Church (NGC) in Nottingham, will bring a wealth of experience to his new role, which includes church planting, leadership and management skills. He aims to build on the foundation of his predecessors, such as the late Bishops Melvin Powell and Donald Bernard, who co-founded the NTA in 1961.

In his acceptance speech, Rev Samuel, who is married to Maxine and is father to five adult children, paid homage to Christians who had mentored and guided him in ministry over the years. He said: “My prayer is for ancient and new wells to spring up in our midst, renewing our desire for personal and corporate worship and fellowship, and that the glory of God would flow out from our churches and congregations into our communities.”

Outgoing Bishop Delroy Powell commented: “The mantle of leadership has fallen on the shoulders of a good man a man of great integrity and sincere humility. I have every confidence that he will succeed in preserving the great legacy entrusted to us by our forebears and, crucially, in preparing the next generation to navigate the uncharted waters of the times ahead.”

The Consecration of Bishop-Elect Rev Sean Samuel will take place on Saturday 26 August 2023 during the NTA National Convention.

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A Nurse’s Tale tells the story of real-life Nigerian Princess Adenrele Ademola, who trained as a midwife and volunteered at Guy’s Hospital, London, during the Blitz. The historical novel will cover Princess Adenrele’s time at the hospital during the Second World War, along with a contemporary storyline featuring Yemi, a young Nigerian woman, who discovers the Princess’ diaries. The book will be published in e-book, audio and print formats this summer. Awonubi said: “Getting a two-book deal from One More Chapter was a childhood dream come true! Working with my editor Charlotte; her enthusiasm for the story; and her love for the characters and their stories was inspiring and supportive. The opportunity to tell this story from the standpoint of my Yoruba heritage made it all the more special.”

Awonubi was born in London to Nigerian parents. In 2008, her short story, ‘The Pink House’, won first prize in the national Words of Colour Competition. This was followed by another story, ‘The Go-Slow Journey’, winning first prize in the Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2009. Her short stories have featured on blogs, journals and anthologies such as African Writing Online and Woman Alive Her two books, Love’s Persuasion and Love Me Unconditionally, were published by Ankara Press. She has self-published a collection of short stories, Naija Love Stories, as well as a romance entitled Lovers, Leavers and Keepers. Awonubi also contributed to Black Christian and Single: A Collection of Essays about Singleness in Britain’s Black Pentecostal Church