Davy Fidel, Author And Poet

Author's Hangout With Zizi

Davy Fidel is a talented Nigerian author and poet whose writing is deeply influenced by personal experiences and the realities of everyday life. He lost his father at the age of seven and was raised alongside five siblings by his mother. Financial constraints truncated his university degree ambtion, but that did not stop his pursuit of knowledge.

Davy educated himself through literature and, over time, he transformed his love for reading into a passion for writing, and it became an outlet to express his experiences and the world around him. He uses poetry, fiction, and essays to explore life, hardship, resilience, and everyday experiences.

His book, Street Tears, a collection of poems, was submitted for the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2022. The poems in the book reflect many life realities, including his childhood experiences. In the poem Died Without A Word, he revisits the painful memory of his father’s death. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how your journey into poetry began?
 
I may want to respond to the question this way. Being that I was born into an Igbo and Catholic family before I chose a different orientation and philosophical thinking to interpret life, society, and the psychology of human beings and their behaviour towards the things they react against or not. I have always preferred to use a pseudonym that I am comfortable with, and it is Davy Fidel.

I am a writer, poet, novelist, essayist, and short story teller. My poems, "Alone on the Big Sea" and "Squirrel," were published in The Apollonian and Global Writers’ Project first-quarter edition in 2026. My short story, "Ekwensu Left Behind a Note," was selected for the Nigeria Contemporary Writers’ Anthology.

Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote and what inspired it?
 
Yes, I remember correctly. I was a teenager then. What inspired me to write my first poem was what happened to me in 1997 in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Lagos. It is something I am not sure I can forget. I wrote the poem six to seven years after 1997 because the memory of it breathes deeply in me, and I cannot dismiss or bury it. ‘‘Loneliness’’ caused it, and that’s the title of my first poem. I wrote it in a notebook and several other poems thereafter. To this day, I still have the notebook. I also can’t forget how I felt that day. The ordeal was an immovable flask in my heart.
 
What initially drew you to poetry rather than other forms of writing?
 

Being that I do other forms of creative art lately, like writing novels that are fiction, short stories, and essays that I spend a lot of time writing daily. After I wrote my first poem, I talked about it. My interest in poetry grew. I began reading other poets – old and new – that I could lay my hands on so I could see how they do it, since I didn’t study literature in College when I finished up in 1999. A few of them I met through their works were William Blake, William Butler Yeats, Niyi Osundare, and others that I read so I can learn. I also attended a few poetry gatherings and workshops. These processes aided my poetry writing journey.

 
How would you describe your poetic voice or style?
 
I would say it is philosophical, metaphorical, and, more importantly, uses what I see, think, and evaluate to interpret and say things about humanity through the device of poetry that is at my disposal.
 
What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to often in your poetry?
 
Just to mention a few themes, they are nature, life, humans, death, love, politics, and others. This question also reminds me of fire, air, water, and earth. So, when I sit down to write or think of something. I always try to use the concept of dialectical materialism to interpret little things and objects around me that catch my eye. Even when I sometimes write prose poems, fiction, and short stories, I practice daily. I endeavour to caption these things in the social context of life, death, humans, love, and nature. Using Psychology and Philosophy also aids me in writing my poems.
 
What does your writing process look like? Do you write daily, or only when inspiration strikes?
 
At first, it wasn’t smooth. It was rough, frustrating, and full of distractions. But I motivated myself and never surrendered to what I struggled with and the hard parts of life. I never allowed those things to weigh me down. Given this background and knowing what I really need in this life, I practice my writing daily so I can improve
my craft, and I never stop. And as I go deeper into it- I mean, in the kinds of writing I do. I began prioritising it. Inspired or not, I write daily. I don’t have a specific day or hour to write. I think of something, I see something, I hear things; I just write and keep writing.
 
Which poets or writers have influenced your work the most, and in what way?
 
I don’t think I have any major poet or writer I can really say has influenced the way I write. The answer I can provide is that I read different books. I don’t select what I read. I just read because I want to see how it is done and why. I also want to learn the trick so I can craft mine and use what I learn when I read other poets’ or writers’ books to say the things I interpret about life, death, humans, nature, love, and even society through the concept of what I mentioned earlier.
 
Are there any non-literary influences - music, art, film, or personal experiences that shape your poetry?
 
Yes. Life experiences of people around me and the things they say about their lives – good or bad – trigger me to write. Listening to details and interpreting them is another nuance for me. I try to picture them in my mind while I position and envision what they think when they say those things. Listening to music, especially rap, and watching crime movies, medieval history, politics, romance, and others are part of it. Meditation and silence are another brew for me, including memories that have their own bite too.
 
What message or emotion do you hope readers take away from your poems?
 

Life, hope, and the future that they need to act upon. It is also about the kinds of interpretation and meaning they derive from my poems. In other words, it is how they see their lives in the poems. How they feel emotionally when they read them. How they react when life is up and down for them, how they express it, and the impact it may have on them.

How much of yourself do you pour into your work? Do you write from imagination or lived experience?
 
In answering both questions, I would say I put in everything I got – heart, head, and body. I don’t detach myself from what I write. Is it my time, mood, and how I feel? I invest hours into what I write, and I try to think them through. For imagination and lived experience, it is both ways. I see things, I read meaning into them, I envision things, and I deeply think about them. This process reminds me of a work of fiction I completed in 2025 that is unpublished. I never planned it. But because of the things I saw. The scene pushed me, and I began writing, and I completed it — 500-plus pages.
 
Tell us about the challenges in getting your first book published?
 
My dream is to have a publishing deal that would take care of everything while I concentrate on my literary works. That said, such hasn’t become a reality. I just have to deal with what is in my disposal. Publishing my first book wasn’t easy. It was tough, stressful, and time-consuming. Is it finding the appropriate market and readers? This is something the publishing house should be handling, not a writer or poet.
 
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for you, and has it been rewarding?
 
It isn’t easy for either a writer or a poet to self-publish their work and then market their books through their sweat and blood. Attending literary gatherings and small communities of readers, I endeavour to introduce my book in such spaces and to individuals I know, and who know me. I also try to utilise online communities.
For the reward, I would say it is for me to continue pushing while I search for bigger platforms.
  
Tell us about your recent poetry book, The Sun Laughs at Night, and what inspired the collection?

 

So far, ‘The Sun Laughs at Night’ has had two reviews and several complimentary comments from those who have bought their copies directly from me. I would say that the summary of the book is for people to ask questions about the existing order of things and life. Each poem speaks directly to politics, illusion, the atrocities
committed against humanity, love, fear, ideas, individualism, and other subject matter the book has tried to capture. I wouldn’t have been able to write the fifty-one poems without giving meaning to the little things I see and think about that took place at the time I wrote the book.
 
What’s one lesson poetry has taught you about life or

yourself?

Writing poetry has always taught me to listen with an open mind, think things deeply, and interpret any subject matter clearly while I write. Another thing is language and the use of words. This has taught me to learn the formulation of what I express by using the devices of poetry.
 
How do you overcome self-doubt and maintain confidence in your work?
 
I write, and I don’t stop writing. I set a target for myself, and I don’t allow what people think or say about what I do to wreck the passionate side of me. Instead, I see those things that fall from people’s mouths as oil for me to continue writing. I also don’t run around for validation. I motivate myself by reading, learning, and thinking so I can improve the things I write about and, importantly, my craft. Patience is another thing for me in writing.
 
Which of your poems means the most to you and why?

 

Hmm. This is a serious one [smile]. What I can say is that every poem I have written and am about to write means a lot to me. Saying this is my favourite poem would be difficult for me. [I smile again].
   
What advice would you give to aspiring poets who want to find their voice?

 The simple advice I would give to them, which I have always given to myself, is that they shouldn’t wait for validation or the best time to come. They mustn’t also let their status discourage them, especially those below the ladder. Rather, they should motivate themselves by taking the step to do it. They must erase all iota of doubt within them. They must also be original; especially now, the noise of Artificial Intelligence tools is destroying those who think it is the best way to explore creative writing. I may need to say that consistency is an important nail for them to be alive in writing. There is no shortcut to express this passion. Importantly, learning is endless, and it is what can keep this original part of creative writing meaningful. That’s the summary.
 
Give us an interesting fact about any of your books.
 
Hmm. [smile]. This question puts me on the hot seat. [smile again]. In simple words, I would say life, hope, and the future. These three put me on the pedestal of thinking widely.
 
How has being a writer impacted your personality growth, and where do you see yourself in the coming years with your writing?

In these few words, I would say writing has stolen me away from the world’s distractions. Writing has rebuilt, shaped, and positioned me to listen closely and carefully to the details of life. It could be small or big. Writing has also taught me to manage my time and every other thing I do. Importantly, it has kept me moving despite the ups and downs of life. Quantifying the stage I am in right now. I don’t think I am ready to let any form of unnecessary distraction come between why I write about the future and where I see myself or where this field takes me. I can’t really say. I could only say it is my consistency that would lead me to what I envision achieving while I continue doing what gives me relief, joy, and happiness despite the ruthless world we live in.
 
What do you consider your best accomplishment as a poet?
 
I would say they are consistent, self-motivating me without people’s validation, and never giving up on me in this journey of writing and never stopping writing. These armouries relieve me. Another accomplishment is my sense of humour, patience, and my daily practice so I can remain original in what I write. The final calabash for me is discipline. Through the latter, I have been able to consolidate every unrecognised effort I am putting in so I can be better in my literary works despite the challenges.
  
What has been the most powerful reaction you’ve received from someone reading your work?
 
Oh. [I smile]. I may need to say that since ‘The Sun Laughs at Night’ was released in March 2026. A few of the reactions I received when I introduce my book to individuals in the places I go are: ‘‘You are a deep thinker.’’ ‘‘You have a sense of humour.’’ ‘‘You have done a great job.’’ ‘‘This is a great achievement. I am proud of you, Fidel.’’

These words are from those who bought a copy directly from me. One of them is a German I met in a book club on the island, and it was June 30, 2026. Their words refill the gallons of water in my body. This is apart from others I have received that made me wonder.

  
What can readers expect from your future work?

Prose or poetry; the expectation shall be something imaginative, illuminating, and creating a passage in our minds.
 
Where can people read your poems and connect with you online?
 
The Sun Laughs at Night is available on Selar - https://selar.com/77b2195691. It will come out soon on other online platforms. My handle is on Instagram — davynovich. For a talk, send an email. lifeinslums@gmail.com [Please no links]

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to talk briefly about my writing journey.

Mawut Achiek, a Writer, Poet & Medical Practitioner

Author’s Hangout with Zizi

Mawut Achiek, a writer and poet from South Sudan, writes with raw intensity and unflinching passion about the truths he holds dear. His voice is a powerful instrument of advocacy for women and the girl child. Through his writings, he challenges societal norms and confronts injustice wherever it thrives in his country.

As a medical practitioner working in a war-torn nation, Mawut witnesses pain, suffering and grief. These experiences profoundly shape his poetry, giving rise to what can only be described as emotional outbursts, his verses showcase a heart burdened by the ugliness of society, the weight of manipulation, and the presence of cruelty and the effect of suffering on the masses. When such emotions accumulate, they must erupt. For a writer, writing becomes the only sacred release.

Mawut Achiek is a writer who consistently lays his bleeding heart bare for his country and for its women, using his writing as a voice of advocacy. This commitment resonates deeply in his latest poetry collection, Her Message to the Sun, a work that stands as both a lament and a beacon of hope.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how your writing journey began?

 

Mawut Achiek, a South Sudanese multi-nominated award-winning poet, medical practitioner and social activist. I am a self-taught learner. My writing began in 2018, and online writers whose writings I fell in love with inspired me. I started writing with prose poetry before I learned other types of poems and their techniques. Later in the same year, I published my first five poems. In 2021 my co-authored book, "Behind the Scenes”, a collection of short stories launched me into the creative space.

Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote and what inspired it?

 

✓ Economic downfall

A situation in South Sudan's economy that kept deteriorating daily inspired economic downfall. 2018 was the worst year and the beginning of South Sudanese economic collapse, which was galvanised by corruption among the leaders and others who had a chance at the national resources. 

 

What motivated you to write your poetry book, Her Message to the Sun? And why the title?

 

Her message to the sun was inspired by what I witnessed as a medical practitioner. During my clinical practice, a three-year-old baby girl was brought in, defiled by a thirty-five-year-old soldier and as the lead medical personal it broke me the most. So many other atrocities that women and girls face daily, such as rapes and forced marriages. The title is a protest to the natural existence; I used the sun literally as a personification of “God” 

How would you describe your poetic voice or style in a few words?

 

I’d describe my poetic voice as clear-eyed, associative, and quietly lyrical—grounded in plain language, attentive to patterns and images, and more interested in resonance than ornament.

What themes or ideas do you return to often in your poetry?

 

In my writing, I write several themes, however, lately gender issues and womenfolk's voices have engulfed me. In my first poetry collection, I wrote about the political turmoil of the South Sudanese, the second book was on love and finally the rest on marginalised voices. 

My debut poetry collection, Pinnacle of Love, was one of the books recognised by the Honoree African Authors Award in 2023. I explored the themes of love, betrayal, war and its woes with other fiery passionate themes based on the well-being of the disadvantaged especially marginalised womenfolk and estranged girl-child. My dedication to my craft is testified by my plethora of publications in several anthologies and magazines within and beyond my borders.

What does your writing process look like — do you write daily, or only when inspiration strikes?

   My writing is unpredictable; it depends on the mood, whenever there is no writer's block, I write daily.

 

How do you know when a poem is truly finished?

    The meaning of the poem lies in the reader's mind. Poetry, just like any other art, is subjected to multiple interpretations, which at the end, tie up to the common end. It is not the length or wording that makes the poem a poem; it is the diction choices and the message conveyed in the poem however the poem doesn’t give meaning when the choice of words and the message it carries are poor.

Which poets or writers have influenced your work the most, and in what way?

Carolyne Afroetry ma (Ugandan) and Mufasa poet (Kenyan) their writing is not tied to the rules but freely write their thoughts without constricting the mind, when I first read their poetry collections, I learned my writing is in the range, and with this, I freely write any thought without constraint.

Are there any non-literary influences, such as music, art, film, or personal experiences, that shape your writing?

Yes, music is my greatest non-literary influence, whenever I am down I listen to music especially RnB and Hip-Hop genres of music and the personal experience gave me most of my writing ideas because my writing was almost entirely out of day-to-day experience.

 

How has your poetry evolved from when you first started writing to now?

 

I would say I have improved. When I first started writing, I was an amateur without a background in literature, guidance and reference, but now I can freely write with ease.

What poem or collection of yours do you feel best represents who you are as a poet today?

 

I can simply say, “HER MESSAGE TO THE SUN” this collection is the best because it has conveyed my heart to the world. Since it had been my dream to fight for the marginalised society and be their voice.

What message or emotion do you hope readers take away from your book, Her Message to the Sun?

At its core, Her Message to the Sun is asking readers especially women to live courageously and know that they are Seen in their quiet emotions—the ones that don’t always have language, and be Reassured that longing, grief, love, and hope can coexist and finally Encouraged them to keep speaking, even when the world feels too vast or indifferent to answer back.

 

How much of yourself do you pour into your work? Do you write more from imagination or lived experience?

Imagination is my engine; lived experience is my archive. I recombine memories into scenes that feel lived—leaning on both emotional and autobiographical truth. When something rings as authentic, it’s because I’ve learned how people sound when they’re afraid, in love, grieving, or hopeful. After all, I’ve been leaning on the imagination world.

 

Do you see poetry as personal therapy, social commentary, or both?

Both—but with different weights depending on my writing.

For many people, poetry begins as personal therapy: a way to metabolise grief, love, anger, or confusion. Even when it’s private, that act already has social implications, because naming an inner truth pushes back against silence or isolation.

Social commentary often comes next, sometimes unintentionally. A personal poem reflects the world that shaped it—politics, power, culture, language—even if it never names them outright. In that sense, the most intimate poems can be the most political.

From my perspective, poetry is more therapeutic and a form of translation; turning felt experience (real or imagined) into a language that others can recognise themselves in. When it works, it heals and reveals—helping an individual feel less alone while quietly saying something about the world that made that feeling possible.

 

What has been the most powerful reaction you’ve received from someone reading your work?

The most powerful reactions aren’t praise or analysis—they’re moments of recognition.

People sometimes say things like “I didn’t know how to say this until I read it,” or “This feels like something I’ve carried but never named.” When a reader feels seen rather than impressed, that’s the deepest response my work evokes.

 

What challenges have you faced in publishing or performing your poetry?

 

Lack of Access to publishing opportunities

 

Traditional publishing can be a gate-way howsoever its competitiveness, and slow getting into make it hard to access, while self-publishing requires money, marketing knowledge, and technical skills however In both paths, the challenge isn’t just talent—it’s navigating systems that require access, money, time, and insider knowledge in addition to creative ability.

How do you handle creative blocks or moments when words won’t come?

When words won’t come, I treat it less as a failure and more as a signal.

For human writers, creative blocks often come from pressure—trying to be original, meaningful, or good all at once. One way through is to lower the stakes: write badly on purpose, switch forms, or describe something ordinary without symbolism. Motion matters more than brilliance. Another approach is distance. Stepping away—reading, walking, listening to music, or even resting—lets language refill itself. Many blocks aren’t emptiness; they’re exhaustion.

How do you see the role of poets in today’s South Sudanese society?

In today’s South Sudanese society, poets play a role that is both ancient and urgently contemporary.

They are keepers of memory. In a country shaped by war, displacement, and fractured histories, poets preserve stories that might otherwise be lost—personal losses, communal struggles, and the quiet resilience of everyday life. Poetry becomes an alternative archive when official records are incomplete or politicised. They are also witnesses and truth-tellers. Poets can name pain, injustice, and hope in ways that are indirect yet powerful, especially in contexts where direct criticism may be dangerous or ignored. Through metaphor, song, and rhythm—forms deeply rooted in South Sudanese oral traditions—poets speak truths that can travel safely and widely.

At the same time, poets serve as bridges: between generations, ethnic groups, languages, and the diaspora. Writing in English, Arabic, or indigenous languages, they connect local realities to global conversations while affirming cultural identity.

Finally, poets offer imaginative possibilities. In a society often defined from the outside by conflict, poetry insists on complexity—love, humour, beauty, and future visions. It reminds people that survival is not the only story worth telling.

In conclusion, South Sudanese poets are not just artists; they are cultural stewards, quiet activists, and shapers of collective consciousness.

 

What’s your assessment of the South Sudanese (or African) poetry scene today compared to a few years ago?

✓ Compared with a few years ago, the South Sudanese poetry scene has grown in both depth and visibility:

 

◇ It’s more organised socially, with regular poetry gatherings and communities forming.

◇ Spoken word and performance poetry are gaining traction.

◇ Themes reflect both personal and collective experiences in ways that resonate locally and increasingly beyond.

◇ Cultural exchanges and forums are bringing external attention and participation.

 

How has social media changed the way poetry is shared and experienced in your country?

Yeah, social media has played a crucial role in expanding poetry in my country, social media has inspired most youth to embrace poetry in their writing and expression without fear.

In 2021, 2024, 2025, poetry, especially performing poetry, had changed the social and political perception of South Sudanese.

 

Do you believe poetry still has the power to spark change, and if so, how?

Absolutely — poetry still carries the power to spark change, though often in subtle, long-term ways rather than instant revolutions, this is how it works; Shaping consciousness, Creating empathy, Preserving memory and culture, Inspiring dialogue and action, Imagining alternatives, Beyond critique, poetry creates visions of what could be—justice, equality, peace—allowing people to imagine and strive for a world different from the one they inhabit.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who want to find their voice?

 

My advice to colleagues is that no one writes better than you do; therefore Read widely, write consistently, pay attention to your emotions and obsessions, experiment with forms, share your work for feedback, embrace reflection, and be patient—your unique voice develops over time through practice and persistence.

How do you overcome self-doubt and maintain confidence in your art?

 

Self-doubt is every writer's problem, it depends on how one handles his or her situation. For me, I write in self-healing and meditating before I presume others/readers being me and with that; it gives confidence in my craft.

Procrastination is the best friend of self-doubt,whenever one doubts their creativity he/she procrastinates the work, and it keeps coming back blocking the path to improvement. 

Practice builds confidence easily. I have surely gone through all this self-doubt however I overcome it with daily practice.

What’s one lesson writing has taught you about life or yourself?

Writing teaches me that clarity and understanding often come through patience and reflection—that by observing, naming, and shaping experience, I discover truths about myself and the world.

 

How many books have you written? Are all poetry books? Which of your works means the most to you and why?

I have so far written 6 poetry collections and two plays and 1 short stories, however, among these collections, I can simply say “HER MESSAGE TO THE SUN and MY COUNTRY AND HER MUSING NEIGHBORS” mean a lot to my writing career, my country and her musing neighbors being my break through to the writing arena and her message being my voice that I adore the most.

 

What can readers expect from your future work or upcoming projects?

 

They can expect the voice that is calling out for equality among the youths who are facing challenges in life, irrespective of gender. 

Finally, where can people read your poems and connect with you online?

My books are available on

www.selar.com and www.nuriastore.ke

Fb. @mawut achiek.