Write a Bio about yourself.
I was Born in Kom, Cameroon, Emmanuel K. Ngwainmbi (pseudo. Sim E. Kombem). I earned my doctorate in Communication from
Howard University, Masters and Bachelor degrees in English & Literature from Jackson State and Yaoundé Universities, respectively.
I am a full Professor, Director of International Programs and former Chairperson in the Department of Language, Literature &
Communication and at Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina. I serve on a number of local, national and international
academic boards. The recipient of the Distinguished International Scholar Award from the Chinese Academy for Social Sciences,
and an inductee in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, I have had ten books & numerous literary/scholarly articles published,
and have received awards and critical acclaim for my poetry volumes especially A Bush of Voices, Shackles on a Ghost Skull,
Sim's Poetic Column and Whispers on My Pillow. Also well received are two books on international communication research. I
recently signed three book contracts, one on War Poetry and two are reference books on the experiences of minority professionals
in the American workplace.
My poetry books include Sim's Poetic Column (1978), Shackles on a Ghost Skull (1981), A Bush of Voices (1989),
Whispers on My Pillow (2003) and Lying With My Arms-Wartime Poem. The most widely analyzed poems include. "Standing by a Black Corpse"
in African News Digest, "Nelson Mandela" in the Continent, "The People Who Cried We Are" in African Mirror, "The Lawn Mower" and
"Last Night" in Electric Acorn.
Other poetic ventures include scores of publications, some in the following anthologies: Immigration, Emigration,
Diversity (Chapel Hill Press); The Washington Review; New Poets from West Africa (anthology); The New African Poetry edited
by Tanure Ojaide & T. Sallah. (Lynne Rienner Publishers); Symphony of Verse; New Poets of West Africa (Malt house Press,
Nigeria); Janus; La Colombe. New Horizons. (1983(Yaoundé University Press). The Mould. (1984). (Yaoundé University Press-Cameroon)
New Directions: Howard University Magazine, and Sensations Magazine. Literary honors include the Kom-USA Achievement Award.
Published commentary on his poetry come from Gwendolyn Brooks (Pulitzer Poetry Winner); Professor Bladen Jackson
(Noted African-American Historian, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill); Drs. Richard Wright & S. Nyang (Howard University);
Dr T. Sallah (author & poet), Dr. Gwen Remsen (October Gallery-Pennsylvania).
I have read poetry in major cities in the US, Europe and Africa and discussed social issues on OctoberGallerylive.com;
WHAT Radio Station (Philadelphia); The Voice of America; British Broadcasting Service-Africa (BBC); WRVS 89.9 FM (N. Carolina)
WJSU FM 88 (Jackson, MS); WPFW 89.8 FM (Washington, DC); TV Channel 16-Cable Washington, D.C.; Associated Writers Conference,
29th Annual Conference Program Guide (Virginia)) National Radio Station Yaoundé, (Cameroon) -"Conversation"-"Literary Half Hour";
and Provincial Radio Stations, West Africa Cable TV Channel 8, Elizabeth City, NC. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
(Washington, DC), and Writers for Peace (Chapel Hill, NC).
Reviews have appeared in the Library Journal, Daily Advance, 2001-2002, Virginia Pilot, West Africa Magazine,
Blue & White Flash (Mississippi), Morgan Mirror, Drumbeat: An Independent Monthly African Publication, Jackson Daily News;
Daily Mississippian, Soundings, (Virginia) Electric Acorn, (Dublin Writers Workshop, Ireland), Daily Advance, and Virginian Pilot.
I am the featured poet in Poesia and my work will be produced in http://www.indianbaypress.com See Feb. 2006 newsletter. Other reviews
appear in Amazon, yahoo, Barnes& Noble, Univpress.com, Apples and Oranges.com. My works are translated into French, Spanish and Afrikaans.
In the last few years, I have focused on the human condition and the main themes are love, reminiscence and war.
Through my writings I hope to raise awareness regarding world peace and African customs.
Describe the room you write in.
I write wherever the spirit hits me. To be safe and ready, I leave pens and scraps of paper in my bathroom, car,
computer desk at home and my office at work. I wrote most of the poems in my latest volume while driving long distance.
This is when I'm calm and focused, relaxed. The room in which I type my poems is multipurpose somewhat. Behind the
computer desk is a king size wooden bed. At the far end a lantern only used at night because the Elizabethan window
adjacent to the desk provides enough daylight. On the desk is a tri-tiered shelf meant for 6x9-sized books but which
has been invaded by files, bill receipts, invoices, brochures, and my son's Hooked on Math box. On top of the shelf
are well framed family pictures , three trophies, one for Most Fish Caught by my son during a fishing tournament
organized by the Knights of Columbus (a Fraternal Order of the Catholic Church of which I am a member), a effigy of
Christ and a picture of my son's deceased Godfather, (Past Grand Knight, John Piotrowski). Right next to it is a
Certificate titled Independent Reader Award presented to Jim Ngwainmbi (my son)
At the foot of the bed is a 25 inch TV set staged on a futon with a VCR and X Box-the indisputable property of my son.
You are from Cameroon. When and why did you decide to move to the U.S.?
I decided to move to the US shortly after receiving my degree in 1984, in order to pursue graduate studies, following a scholarship offer.
I recently read an interview in which you answered a question with, I refuse to comply to the rules of writing.
Personally, I really admire this answer. Please explain what you mean by this.
Rules stifle. And in creative writing, rules are particularly stifling. They stifle reasoning, obstruct the writer's
ability to have a free flow idea development and writing, and foster writer's block. Imagine speaking like Shakespeare
today at the formal or informal gathering for that matter. How absurd!
Au contraire, style defines the writer, not the opposite. A writer's style should reflect his/her universe-the
way he thinks and speaks and the geopolitical conditions of which he is a part. His cultural attributes-diet,
language, linguistic repertoire, custom, modes of interaction and perspective on strangers and familiar people,
loved and disliked ones, aspirations and perceptions on how he is treated by known ones and strangers-should form
the nexus of his writing style. He must not succumb to some structure formulated by thinkers who know little or
nothing about his background, but who through published and taught rules urge him to write the way they think.
My readers should see my inner self, my personality, character, views and expectations of the world through the
words I choose and the order in which I place them on paper. I like to call my style dialogic monologue.
You currently are Chairperson of Language, Literature, and Communications at Elizabeth State University besides being Director
of the International Programs. How do you find the time to write? Please share how you balance your time.
(I gave the Chairpersonship in August, 2005, but I accepted to serve as Director of the K-12 International Outreach Program as well).
I have been asked this question for an eternity. It is difficult to find time to write anything, as there is much
out there to do within 24 hours…..And 24 hours are never enough. I have a philosophy which I have shared with all of
my students over the past 25 years of teaching, "Don't save for tomorrow what you can accomplish today. Let tomorrow
take care of itself." So I create the time to write.
I am a perfectionist, selfish as the term may purport. To be perfect means to draw a work plan, identify and
address the problems that may deter or delay accomplishing the task and tackle the plan headlong. Being a team
player while directing 'traffic' also helps in balancing time. Finding time to complete the tasks helps me handle
several tasks as manager. I have spent longer hours, typically 12 hours per day in my office in order to complete
the day's tasks. And I enjoy what I do. You have to enjoy what you do in order to be effective.
Talk about your book, Whispers On My Pillow and Other Poems.
Whispers is the birth child of a summer season here in the US. It was born out of boredom. Oscillating between
serving as Chair of Summer School in the department of Language, Literature, and Communications, teaching two courses,
driving for 14 miles to get home and having no place to go in this rural Elizabeth City, I had felt so lonely I started
to scribble poetic words and thought, "Hmmmm!, Perhaps I should do another volume". ….But who reads poetry these days
anyway, let alone publishes it?" Despite the frustration, I continued writing, often producing 6-10 poems when the fear
of abject boredom was rising. I then sent a bunch to some local teachers, a retired Lt. Colonel and several newspapers
all of whom encouraged me to look for a publisher. Col. Daidone took a special interest and offered to write a review-a
part of which dwells on the book's jacket.
I am humbled by readers' comments, some which I have offered here:
"Ngwainmbi's poetry opens up windows onto different worlds - the lyrical, the mystical, and the magical.
His imagery is lush, his compassion all-embracing"
-Nessa O'Mahony, Editor, Electric Acorn, Dublin Writers Workshop, Ireland
"We find the poems to be interesting" -John Easterly, Poetry Editor, Louisiana State University Press
"Emmanuel brings a breath of fresh air with Whispers on my Pillow" -Angelique Moon,
Journalist/Book Editor
"This collection of poems makes the reader revisit what one thought was obvious, and look at life and its characters in a
different manner… makes the reader want to pay more attention" -Dr. Becky Seaman, History Professor, ECSU
"Ngwainmbi is particular with each picture he uses and easily paints a picture readers will quickly grasp." -Soundings Newspaper
"I could actually visualize the love poems. They made me reflect on past relationships" -Cheryl Bogue, School Teacher
"The author has presented an outstanding interpretation of our innermost feelings"
-Executive Director, Elizabeth City Pasquotank Public School Foundation
"The love verses are magnificent insights into the human soul. Their phrasing and timing draw vivid images of the
deepest and most intimate aspects of humanity, the ability to love and to communicate that love. The art and imagery
here is absolutely magnificent and must be read to a true soul mate"
-Hank Daidone, Former Commander, 2nd Battalion, MDDF, Lt. Colonel
"The visions touch the soul …and…outline a cold, oppressive world, controlled by an overwhelming distain
for the individual, unconcern for the lives of the many and the powerless and an obsession with death"
-Former Director, Aerospace Division, DoD/NASA
"An upfront, original perspective concerning the impact and ramifications of war in the world. The poems are
thought provoking, moving, and climactic. The poet has the ability to correlate biblical anecdotes in a unique way"
-Beverly Cain, Ed.D, Associate Professor, School of Education, Eliz. City State University
"Although there is a bending of the rules of more rigid forms, the poet use(s) sounds and meanings of words
that create a challenge. It is this part that makes the poem a work of craft as well as the expression of an idea"
-Daily Advance Newspaper
"The poems are so powerful. The words just grab you. It's unbelievable. Unbelievable!"
-WHAT Radio Station, Philadelphia
"As I read the work I saw vivid images, intriguing combinations of words---inorganic things completing tasks---words
dancing across the page inviting you to hear, see, and touch the essence of your meaning"
-Dr. Gwendolyn Remsen, OctoberGallerylive.com
"The lines are...in short, powerful and moving testimony from the viewpoints of eyewitnesses to war's pain,
worlds far away from America. Poems in this book...contain good riveting imagery" -Sensations Magazine
"The author is at his best when he depicts war with passion, compassion and precision"
-David Messineo, Publisher & Poetry Editor
"It was beautifully written and the culture and its courtship rituals and daily routines were
painstakingly yet smoothly integrated into the story. I cared about your characters" -Dr. Elizabeth Parker, Dana Awards
PLAIN VIEW PRESS publishes many books dealing with social change, and recently published your book,
Lying With My Arms: War Poems. Please talk about this book and how long it took you to write it.
Lying with my arms addresses the traumatic effects of war, warfare and civil unrest especially in Eastern Europe,
Africa and Middle East. Most of them specifically describe the situation in Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Kuwait.
Half of the 125 poems describe the plight of a soldier during war reminiscing about his fiancée, family, home
and country. There's monologue and dialogue between him and her as they send romantic messages to and read from
each other. The second half deals with the persona's outlandish attitude toward war in general. He criticizes
the institutions and ideologies that promote war, anguish, mayhem and bloodshed while celebrating the virtues of
humanity and peace--love of country, goodness through filial and erotic love and the power of sanity (war-free mentality).
The manuscript is structured in six parts, like a dramatic production. Scene I (Hannah and Bill)
a dialogue between the lovers, Bill in Iraq and Hannah at home. In Scene II captioned Hannah's Time Alone,
the lover is in solitude meditating, wondering about the condition of her lover, Bill. Scene III (Bill's Time Alone)
addresses Bill's perception of war, America's role in the war, his condition as a soldier and Bill expresses his anger
against the war. In Scene IV captioned Palestinian-Israeli Olympics, the persona presents 'controversial' views
about the decades-old conflict in the region. Scene V (Desert Storms) contains a handful of poems about the Gulf War
and an American soldier's moods. In Scene VI titled World Games, the personae reminisce about other wars around the world.
Some are anecdotes. The average length of each poem is ten lines. The tone is harsh and often sarcastically somber,
creating a sense of urgency.
It took me six weeks to this book-between Mid-May and June 30, 2005.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a number of literary, scholarly and journalistic projects. I'm editing two poetry manuscripts,
two reference books with Edwin Mellen Press, a collection of Children's stories from Africa, serving on two
professional boards-the national Association of African American Studies & Affiliates (www.naaas.org) and on
the editorial board of the Journal of Black Studies, and as Guest Editor for African Communication Research,
a refereed journal that address ongoing participatory research on Africa.
I am working on five articles for different outlets. I've just finished an article titled The Struggles of Foreign-born Faculty
www.diverseeducation.com soon to be published in Diverse magazine, (formerly Black Issues in Higher Education.
I'm also editing GLOBALIZATION AND CULTURE: A TEMPLATE FOR NEGOTIATING SOCIOECONOMIC UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN WEST &
SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNITIES, FOREIGN COMPANIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS accepted for publication by Journal of
Development and Social Change. (Australia) which tackles gains and shortcomings of local sites (communities) as
transnational companies and expatriates continue to move to developing countries.
Then there is, NEPAD AND THE POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION: Redefining local space, group,
(chapter in a book titled Africa in the 21st Century published by Rutledge, 2007)
The poems address the trauma of war, warfare and civil unrest especially those in Iraq, Kuwait, Africa and Israel.
Half of the volume describes the plight of a soldier during war reminiscing about his fiancée, family, home and country.
There's monologue and dialogue between him and her as they send romantic messages to and read from each other.
The second half deals with the persona's outlandish attitude toward war in general. I criticize the institutions
and ideologies that promote war, anguish, mayhem and bloodshed while celebrating the virtues of humanity and peace--love
of country, goodness through filial and erotic love and the power of sanity (war-free mentality).
Any last comments?
Poets should not auction poetry. They should write from the heart, bring back the charm that is poetry.
Due to greater and often free access in the 21st century especially online, much has been published, that in
my view, amounts to a collection of words spread across space rather than imagery with layers of meaning that
stimulates thought and causes the reader's/listener's imagination to soar. It is not enough to express political
views or simply use mundane terms to express feelings that are overflowing from an experience. If the poet has
a love story or a political view, he should express with concrete, ornate language, as simplicity-casual
terms-makes the message too banal, boring, less marketable and not suitable for sale. The 21st century poet
should be an avid reader, traveler and a keen observer more than ever, in order to capture and record the image,
the magic that is poetry.
I encourage poetry lovers to buy Lying with my Arms: War Poems.
New info. My new book's ISBN and sale price here:
$14.95
ISBN: 1-891386-65-4
Thank you so much Emmanuel for your time.
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