Professor Dr. Lanre Akinsiku

Biography

Lanre Akinsiku is a multi-genre writer inspired by the exploration of narrative process, instability, and the opacity of self. His short fiction and essays have been published in notable outlets such as NPR, The Washington Post, The Kenyon Review, Gawker, and Zocalo Public Square. He is the author of the young adult book series 'Blacktop', which has received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, and was named one of the Books of the Year by the New York Public Library, earning the Freund Prize in Creative Writing. His teaching philosophy is shaped by a lifelong obsession with the meandering of life, reflected in his past experiences as a truck driver, bartender, speech writer, and journal editor. His courses focus on experimenting with craft approaches across disciplines, highlighting the artistic value of play, and fostering community-based writing practices.

Research Interests

Courses