Told in three parts, Olawu is an inspiring coming of age story, an immersive introduction to 19th Century East Africa, and a BookLife Prize Quarter Finalist.
Olawu is the eldest daughter of Kanakam’s only physician. Her strong will and compassionate nature are a constant source of conflict in her village. In Kanakam there are many rules for girls, and those who break them are often broken. Despite Kanakam’s restrictions against girls reading, writing, or working a trade, her father teaches her in secret. Inspired by his skill and shielded by his status, Olawu learns eagerly at his side, hoping to one day follow in his footsteps.
Olawu’s world is upended when the Dikebe tribe takes over Kanakam. The Dikebe tribe has conquered dozens of villages west of the river as they wage a violent war against the Oloko tribe to the east. When tragedy strikes, Olawu and her family are left vulnerable to the harsh realities of Kanakam, including the forced marriage ritual known as the Choosing. As the eldest daughter, Olawu’s duty is to protect her family. But her father instilled in her a greater purpose, and the Choosing is no better than slavery.
Driven to desperation, she seeks help from Dikembe, the son of the tribal warlord who has taken over her village. She hopes he will repay her father’s past kindness and shield her family, but hope is a fragile thing, and time is running out.
New Cover!
Set in a time and
place unburdened
by the devastation
of colonialism,
Olawu is a
refreshing tale
about a brave girl
with a bold dream.
Praise for Olawu:
Warrior. Healer. Daughter.
Ready to dive into this action-packed adventure? Olawu is available in Paperback and Hardcover at most major online book outlets in the US and abroad, including Amazon and Walmart. Use this UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK for some of your favorite retailers, or check out Where To Find Olawu by P. J. Leigh to buy it from your favorite indie bookshop or borrow it from your local library!
Order the Hardcover directly here
Order the hardcover directly for a discount. Subscribers can save even more!
Latest Updates:
- Preorders Now Available For Olawu in Audiobook Format!
I’ve got some big news for audiobook lovers about Olawu. The audio format will release across multiple retailers in the coming weeks, and I’m super excited about it! The Official Launch Date is December 24th, and I’ll post the buy links as they pop up, but if you preorder ahead of time you can save a few bucks! Plus, I’ve got a special offer for my subscribers, so keep reading!
Request an early release copy of Olawu
To drum up support and spread the word, I’m giving away 25 early release redemption codes on Spotify. If you’re a subscriber, thank you so much and guess what? You’re getting the good news first, so go ahead and fill out the form below if you’d like to receive an early access copy. You’ll need a Spotify account to access the audiobook with the redemption code. You’ll be able to redeem your copy as soon as Olawu goes live on Spotify, even during the preorder stage. Everyone else will have to wait until after the launch date.
Not a subscriber? Fill out the form and tell me a little bit about why you’d love to get an early release copy of Olawu. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a copy (but it couldn’t hurt to try), and you don’t have to do anything else. If you like what you see and would like to subscribe for updates and special offers, you can head over to my subscribe page now. It costs only your time.
Please consider leaving a review and please, please share the good news with your friends!
Learn more about the story and listen to a sample of Olawu below!
Continue reading → - The New Cover For Olawu Is Here!
Alright, y’all. The one year anniversary is a big milestone for me as an indie author, and I am really, really, happy with the new cover for Olawu. Continue reading →
- Olawu Special Edition And Cover Reveal
My debut novel just recently hit its one year anniversary. To commemorate its publication, it’s getting a brand new cover. The Olawu Special Edition is also in production and will be available soon.
Continue reading →
