Today we’d like to introduce you to Micah Dawanyi.
Hi Micah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Micah (pronounced Mike-Uh) Dawanyi, and I’m a novelist and speaker.
I actually grew up playing competitive sports (soccer) until I was about 15, when a series of heart complications forced me to stop. At that time, it felt like everything I had built my identity around collapsed. I had to find new foundations and new things to pour into.
I’m grateful to God because that search led me to the arts. I took a creative writing elective during my senior year of high school and joined a journalism club. From there, my love for storytelling and the arts really grew.
Since then, I’ve published four books. My first was a nonfiction memoir, and then I pivoted to fiction with three novels. The latest one, SHILOH, actually just released!
Genre-wise, I’d describe my writing as experimental. I blend speculative elements with literary fiction, comedy, drama, romance, and even a bit of action. At my core, I’m driven by a desire to educate, enlighten, and empower through storytelling. Mental health has been a recurring theme in my work – it’s a subject that became deeply personal to me during the years I was managing my heart condition. However, I’m also interested in social justice, as a black man in America and a first-generation American born to two immigrant parents. My latest novel is sort of a departure from the psychological themes I’ve explored. Instead, I leaned more into social justice issues.
On the speaking side, I use a lot of the knowledge from my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I’m typically invited to community events, school programs, or virtual symposiums, but I’m pretty open to any kind of opportunity, as long as it feels genuine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! I’d say the biggest struggle has been finding ways to continue nurturing my creativity even as I navigate the world. I published three of my books while completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and my fourth while juggling personal and family responsibilities. Again, I’m thankful to God for keeping me inspired and focused in that regard. In some ways, I’ve treated my commitment to the arts as a form of spiritual devotion. I’ve tried to do everything possible to keep my creative spark alive, and I’ve seen many rewards from it.
I’d also say that it has been difficult at times to plan my career… because my parents were never afforded the same opportunities as me. I’m grateful for their sacrifices; they’ve allowed me to choose this path. But at the same time, there hasn’t been a pre-existing template to follow. This is sort of like a journey into the unknown, which is thrilling, but also confusing at times. I’ve just tried to keep God first and think about each next step to take.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a novelist, I specialize in creating worlds and stories that are very specific to me. I’m not trying to be like any other writer or storyteller. I want to see my own DNA in my art, in every aspect, from the cover art to formatting to the words themselves. I think that kind of authenticity translates to the audience, especially in this age of AI.
I’m probably most proud of my latest two novels, When the Record Stops Spinning, and more recently, SHILOH. They’re imaginative stories that feature some genuinely unique sci-fi concepts, but tackle really important psychological and political themes that are timely and relevant. I think we are living in a time where we cannot afford to be politically and socially unaware–especially not in the arts. The arts were always meant to reflect reality, and I’m proud to contribute to that notion in my own way.
How do you think about luck?
I’m not really sure. I tend to believe in divine opportunities from God, but of course, luck is a very real concept. Just the fact that I never planned to become a speaker ties into the idea that things are always working beyond our comprehension. I just wanted to write one book during my undergrad years, but that book turned into a press run, and then schools and companies were calling to ask me to come speak about my work. I probably wouldn’t have even thought about building a full creative career if that hadn’t happened, which is wild in retrospect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktree.com/micahdawanyi
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/micahdawanyi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-dawanyi-ma-912ab41b1
