Book Title: Trauma Author:Adekola Temitayo. Published: 2021 My Rating: 4.72/5.0.⭐️ A simple, short story with themes like Dyslexia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Mental Health and some Traditional & Cultural Misconceptions, particularly of the Yoruba Tribe (I RECOMMEND!)
Imagine being deeply cut ON YOUR FACE several times with a special blade as a child. No, don’t think of just the pain, think of the fact that you will have to live with these marks forever. You have no choice…. The marks will always be something that defines you.
And all this is because of a misconception. Do you feel outraged just imagining it? Then you’ll understand why books like this one are necessary.
So for some backstory…..:
I was asked to read/review this book a few weeks ago by the author…. It’s a very short book but it took me quite a while to finish it and get to reviewing it (because I had other things on my plate)
But here we are now. So let’s get right into the review…..!
What really stood out to me, in this book is how educative it is. The author’s writing style is smooth and comfy, with clear, concise and easy to understand explanations of each concept included in the story.
This book takes a stab at creating awareness mainly on two important societal topics: Dyslexia and Sickle Cell Anemia through the lives of its two main characters: Ayodele and AJ respectively.
“Children with dyslexia should be treated with love and understanding. LOVE is the keyword here, parents, teachers, guardians, family members, friends of any dyslexic patient should understand that they didn’t choose to be dyslexic and the more reason we should help them get better together.”
Dr Ademola
Ayodele is a boy with dyslexia who is constantly harassed and bullied both at home and at school for being an “olodo”, a Nigerian slang used to describe someone who is a dullard. Ayodele knows he is different from others, but he has no idea why.
“According to Yoruba’s tradition, if a woman gives birth to a child and the child dies before becoming an adult, such a child is called “Abiku” especially if the process of giving birth and dying of the child keeps recurring.”
AJ
AJ, who attends the same school as Ayodele on the other hand, is very intelligent but depressed and seemingly cold. He is constantly castigated for being an “Abiku” due to the tribal markings on his face which his family agreed should be given to him when he was just 5 years old, in other to stop his continuous health issues and to prevent him from dying so young as their other kids had.
In reality as he later discovered,the reason for his continued weakness/sickness was not due to “Abiku” but because of the fact that he had Sickle Cell Anemia, due to his parent’s ignorance (they both had AS blood genotypes) And as you can imagine, this makes AJ resent his parents, especially his father who constantly verbally abused him.
The book takes us through the development of a strong friendship between Ayodele and AJ as they get to understand each others pains and struggles.
The story comes to a rather unexpected end with a twist that really shocked me and only served to emphasize why awareness on these topics should be promoted. And I can’t tell you how it ended, because that would be a MAJOR spoiler!
If you’re interested in reading this book too, here’s the link to get it! (Soft copies ;PDFs/EPUBs are available, plus it’s very affordable; you can see for yourself through the link!)
The Author really has a flair for writing interesting and educative biopsychosocial themed books as seen in his other books as well as this one.
Did you enjoy this review?. Have you read this book?. Please let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below!.
You are welcome to Episode 19 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Adekola Temitayo,a Nigerian Storyteller who explores the captivating themes surrounding African identity, aiming to promote and enlighten others about the richness of the African culture
He is going to answer a few insightful questions about himself, his journey and perspective as a young author in Nigeria , and you’ll definitely enjoy this so please grab a seat and let’s get right into it!
Keno: (with smiles) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Mr Temitayo, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Temitayo: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, it’s a special thing you’re doing on this blog.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll get right into the questions now…..When did you start writing and why did you decide you wanted to become an Author?
I discovered that writing provided me with a means to effectively communicate and express myself
Mr Temitayo:(smiles) I started writing at a young age, mainly creating children’s comic stories. Drawing and watching cartoons inspired my passion for storytelling as a kid. However, my decision to become an author came later when I was in my second year of University. The reason behind this choice was not solely because I enjoyed writing stories, but because I discovered that writing provided me with a means to effectively communicate and express myself, along with sharing my opinions and ideas with others.
Keno: (nods) I can relate to that last sentence there. Question 2, How did you go from just having a dream to actually achieving that dream of becoming a published Author? What little and/or large steps did you take towards it?
Mr Temitayo: (smiles) As the saying goes “Your heart knows the path that aligns with your true purpose, and when you follow it, you tap into a reservoir of inner strength that propels you forward.” Becoming a published author was a journey that started with a dream and required both small and significant steps to achieve. After completing my first book and receiving positive feedback from friends, I was determined to see it published. In a state of excitement, I reached out to a publisher and obtained an estimated cost to publish 1000 copies. With a sense of determination, I began making calls and exploring options. Throughout this process, I am grateful for the support and guidance of my mom, who played a significant role in helping me bring my dream to fruition.
Keno: Wow, interesting. Question 3, What is the best thing about being an Author to you?
Mr Temitayo: For me, Being an author allows me to use my imagination to build entire worlds and characters, feeling like a “small god” (smiles), which is what I find to be the best part of what I do. It’s a means of self-expression that enables me to communicate my ideas, tales, and thoughts to readers everywhere while also witnessing their appreciation and learning from my writings. I find it to be joyful.
Keno:(laughs) A “small god” indeed, it is nice that you find joy in it. Question 4, What life lesson(s) have you picked up on your journey as an Author?
One crucial lesson I have embraced is the importance of unwavering consistency in pursuing my dreams and staying true to what I believe works for me.
Mr Temitayo: (smiles) Throughout my journey as an author, I have learned valuable life lessons that resonate deeply within me. One crucial lesson I have embraced is the importance of unwavering consistency in pursuing my dreams and staying true to what I believe works for me. You know often, those around us may lack faith in our aspirations and the visions we hold for ourselves. However, it is ultimately our determination and dedication that validates our path. We must prove ourselves to the sceptics, and when the pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place, people will rejoice in our accomplishments.
Keno: (nods) Those are some special lessons you’ve picked up. I’m inspired. Question 5, What is your favorite genre to write and why?
Mr Temitayo:Drama is my cherished genre. As a budding screenwriter with a profound admiration for Wole Soyinka. Through my scripts and theatrical works, my profound reverence for the man is evident, illuminating my passion for drama.
Keno: (nods) That’s interesting. Question 6, Your books “TRAUMA” & “SCOURGE” truly have special levels of depth and poignancy that can be denoted even from the blurb. I personally feel so too. So I’m rather curious…. What experiences (people, places or events) inspired you to write them?
My inspiration for “TRAUMA” stemmed from a combination of personal curiosity and past experiences. As for “SCOURGE,” the inspiration came from real-world events and the prevalent issue of rape, particularly its profound impact on society and the girl child.
Mr Temitayo: (smiles) Thank you. I often receive that critique frequently, and it’s quite understandable. Even in my book blurbs, I intentionally cultivated a sense of anticipation to pique the curiosity of my readers, enticing them to delve into my books and uncover the truth behind the events that transpire within. My inspiration for “TRAUMA” stemmed from a combination of personal curiosity and past experiences. While in Uni, I encountered a lecture that discussed the story of a child named Aja, who was mistakenly labelled as Abiku by his bigoted parents, but it was sickle cell anaemia. This sparked my interest in exploring the intersection of sickle cell disease and Abiku. I came across news on dyslexia while scrolling through Instagram in 2020, which prompted me to combine these topics in my writing. The aim was to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with these conditions, raise awareness among parents and teachers about dyslexia, and highlight the need for expensive treatments like bone marrow transplants for sickle cell patients. I also incorporated the concept of tribal marks to immerse the readers in the perspective of someone like Aja, who was misunderstood due to cultural misconceptions. To ensure accuracy, I conducted research through travels to Oyo and Osun, also asking medical professionals and friends questions, and utilizing online resources. The book delves into the complexities of resilience, the lasting impact of trauma, and the process of healing and recovery.
As for “SCOURGE,” the inspiration came from real-world events and the prevalent issue of rape, particularly its profound impact on society and the girl child. During my time in Osun, I had the privilege of hearing captivating stories and learning about the town’s cultural taboos from my friend’s grandfather, whom we fondly called Baba Arowosafe. Fascinated by these narratives, I decided to delve deeper into the history and customs of the town, incorporating them into the setting of my book “SCOURGE.” Sadly, Baba passed away after my initial interviews for “TRAUMA,” so I dedicated “SCOURGE” to him as a tribute. The book explores themes of resilience, survival, and the indomitable spirit of humanity when faced with overwhelming challenges.
Keno: (nods) Wow. I appreciate the in-depth explanations. Question 7, If you were to summarize the type of Author you are in a sentence, what would it be?
Mr Temitayo: I am a Nigerian playwright, short story writer, and scriptwriter who explores captivating themes surrounding African identity, aiming to promote and enlighten others about the richness of African culture.
Keno: Interesting. Finally, Question 8, What type of works or projects can be expected from you in the future?
Mr Temitayo:As an aspiring screenwriter, my future projects will encompass a variety of works that aim to captivate audiences on the big screen or in my books. I am eager to collaborate with producers (any slight opportunity ) and bring my unique stories to life, ensuring that they resonate with viewers and leave a lasting impact. Additionally, I am particularly passionate about working on Pan-African stories. These narratives will focus on bringing together individuals from different African backgrounds, showcasing their diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives. Through these projects, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive representation of African stories and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the continent’s rich.
Keno: (smiles) That’s so good. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. It was lovely to have you, Mr Adekola. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on theYOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Temitayo: Thank you, It was a pleasure to do this with you. Dear Readers, I would love to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us! And you might want to check out Mr Adekola’s book “SCOURGE”.
As the saying goes “Your heart knows the path that aligns with your true purpose, and when you follow it, you tap into a reservoir of inner strength that propels you forward.” Becoming a published author was a journey that started with a dream and required both small and significant steps to achieve.
-Author Temitayo
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 19. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you in 2 weeks on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
(It is basically a series in which I’ll be saving you the stress of going through the heaps of books you’ll find on the internet by giving you book recommendations on a specific need or desire you have, such as you’re interested in learning more about the Nigerian colonialism, or you’re a fan of Mystery novels!…)
This episode is on what you can read if you’re a fan of Christian fiction books.
Here are my top 3 book recommendations for you.
You can find out what they are if you watch this video. These are top-notch book recommendations so you better not miss watching this!
After you watch, let me know if you would read any of those books!
Or if you’ve read any of them, you can share your personal opinion about them in the comments, it might be helpful to someone else!
You are welcome to Episode 18 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Akanbi Taofeek, a Nigerian writer who writes to make poetry appealing to everyone, young or old, black, brown, or white and to declare poetry free of the false accusation that poetry is only for intellectuals and academics!
He is going to answer a few insightful questions about himself, his journey and perspective as a young author/poet in Nigeria. You will definitely find this interview to be inspiring, entertaining and even educative, so please grab a seat and let’s get right into it!
Keno: (with smiles) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Mr Taofeek, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Taofeek: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series. What you’re doing here is something special.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll get right into the questions we have for you today. Let’s start with this; What is a common misconception about Poets or poetry that you’ve encountered since you identified as a Poet?
Mr Taofeek: That poetry is a gift, and poets are gifted. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a “gift,” but only persistency and hard work. You only get more of what you give yourself to. If you give more of yourself to writing, you’ll become a better writer, and people will assume you’re gifted. If you give more of yourself to listening to speakers and giving speeches, you’ll become a better speaker, if you give more of yourself to sleeping, you’ll be good at it.
Keno: (nods) This is so true. I think a lot of people believe Poets have to be so talented and you know, “not ordinary”, perhaps thanks to historical big names like Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath, Wole Soyinka and so on. But in reality like you said, anyone can write poetry if they give themselves to it!…. Speaking of writing poetry, Question 2, What would be your number one piece of advice for someone who wants to start writing poetry but doesn’t know where to begin?
Mr Taofeek: (smiles) Here’s the secret formula to being a renowned author that many writers will not share with you: 1. Write! 2. Write! 3. Write! 4. Read X7! 5. Continue writing. Find your inspiration and just write! The reason most people don’t write is because they don’t know what to write about. Look for sources of inspiration in your surroundings (anything you can see right now, any animate or inanimate object), personal experiences, nature, relationships, emotions, or current events. Poetry can emerge from the simplest of observations or the most profound of reflections. Let your imagination and curiosity guide you. Write! Write! Write! READ! Then, after you’re done reading, read again! Then again, write! And keep the cycle going.
Keno: (nods) Hmmm, I don’t know about anyone else, but that inspired me! Question 3, Do you consider yourself primarily a poet, or do you write in other genres? If you do, what else do you like to write about?
Mr Taofeek: A poet is someone who possesses special powers of imagination or expression. Given that every poet is a writer, not every writer is a poet, I prefer the word “writer” to poet because I believe a poet does more than storytelling or article writing; he writes both stories and articles in a condensed yet rhythmic manner.“Poetry is a deal of joy and pain, and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary.” I have never met a soul who doesn’t love poetry. And yes, I write in other genres apart from poetry; I write articles, book reviews, scripts, and short stories. In fact, I am currently working on a novella.
Keno:(nods ) It’s interesting how you explain the concepts of poetry…. Question 4, Generally, a good number of people feel poetry is some complicated jumble of words that they usually struggle to comprehend. Do you think readers have to figure out the meaning of a poem, or should it be easy to understand?
Mr Taofeek: (smiles) There are different types of poems and poetry genres: lyric, sonnet, haiku, ballad, limerick, didactic. Each genre has its own style, pattern, word order, and diction. So not every poem is rigid or sophisticated. Some poets may employ complex metaphors, symbolism, or unconventional language, not all poetry is deliberately obscure or difficult to understand. There are countless poets who write in clear, accessible language, aiming to connect with readers on a deep emotional level. Poetry comes in various styles and forms, and not all of them require decoding or extensive analysis. But for me, today, tomorrow, and every day, I’ll always value and cherish poems with deep-rooted meanings that often require cogent thought to decipher. Isn’t poetry supposed to be simple, rhythmic, and enjoyable? Well! A poem can be simple, not sophisticated, rhythmic, not plain, and even enjoyed but not understood. So, you can taste and enjoy a poem without getting in touch with the core message. However, I believe that the success of a poem is defined by its ability to accommodate multiple interpretations. So, I write simple poems with rich meanings. If you read it once, you get one meaning; if you read it twice, you get two. An example:
This is a poem from “HONEYED BUTTERFLIES” it is simple, rhythmic and sweet. Although it’s a writer’s confession of his love for poetry but the same poem can also be used by an artisan, an engineer or a lover by substituting some literary terms.
(Disclaimer: this is not a legal permission to copy, replace or substitute any part of the poem.)
Keno: (nods) I see that. Wow! I’ll admit I personally do not know very much about the world of poetry. Thank you, your reply is such an eye opener… Question 5, In your opinion, what’s the best/worst thing about being a poet?
Mr Taofeek: As a writer and a poet, I can tell you firsthand that there is nothing more difficult than having to consider your audience. When writing poetry, it is critical that you think carefully about how you want your words to be interpreted. To truly convey your message, the way you phrase things can make all the difference. For instance, you might find yourself wanting to write with a certain pattern or diction that seems complex, but because of your audience, you are compelled to choose a simpler approach instead. You might choose to share a poem about loss and grief, but adjust the language and tone to make the poem uplifting and inspiring for your audience. Of course, this consideration for an audience can also make your writing process difficult, you might get stuck between choosing a word that rhymes or a word that your audience will comprehend. You want to make sure that you don’t sound too stuffy and that you’re avoiding any grammar or spelling errors. Most importantly, you want your poem to resonate with your readers. It can be so hard to find a balance between staying true to yourself and writing for someone else. At the end of the day, being a poet is hard work, but it can also be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling forms of self-expression. So don’t let the thought of an audience keep you from pursuing your passion and fully expressing your creativity in whatever way best suits you. Poets are the doctors of emotion, and I think this is one of the best things about being a poet because it gives you the privilege and ability to better understand and interpret emotions. It also gives you the ability to express yourself creatively through language. Poetry allows you to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a unique and often powerful way. It also allows you to connect with others who may share similar experiences or emotions, creating a sense of community and understanding. Poets have the ability to narrate a sad story humorously; we have the ability to preach annoying truths benignly and draw serenity off dreadful events.
Keno: (nods) So poetry is not totally a bed of roses, but it is worth it! Question 6, If you were to describe your Poetry book: “HONEYED BUTTERFLIES” using a poem, how would it go?
Mr Taofeek: In pages woven with ink’s delicate art,
Keno: (smiles) So when I asked that question, I was literally thinking “the reply to this should be interesting” and it turned out to be! I may not know a lot about poetry, but I know enough to know that you’re an ingenious poet and this poem is excellent! Finally, Question 7, What have you been working on lately and what are you looking forward to in terms of your poetry writing?
Mr Taofeek: (smiles) I’m presently working on a memoir. I still don’t have enough to share at the moment. But my goal is to make poetry appealing to everyone, young or old, black, brown, or white. I want my pen to be able to reach for your hearts and make your minds gush. My goal is to serve myriads of honey with poetry, one lick at a time. My goal is to declare poetry free of the false accusation that poetry is only for intellectuals and academics and that poetry has to be complex and thought-provoking.
“Poetry is what in a poem makes you laugh, cry, prickle, be silent, makes your toe nails twinkle, makes you want to do this or that or nothing, makes you know that you are alone in the unknown world, that your bliss and suffering is forever shared and forever all your own.”
Dylan Thomas
Keno: I wish you great success as you undertake future endeavors. And I personally, will be following up on your journey. This was so inspiring. It was lovely to have you, Mr Taofeek. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on theYOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Taofeek: (smiles) It was a pleasure to do this with you. Dear Readers, I would love to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Mr Taofeek’s book “HONEYED BUTTERFLIES”. It is honestly very affordable!
My goal is to make poetry appealing to everyone, young or old, black, brown, or white. I want my pen to be able to reach for your hearts and make your minds gush. My goal is to serve myriads of honey with poetry, one lick at a time. My goal is to declare poetry free of the false accusation that poetry is only for intellectuals and academics and that poetry has to be complex and thought-provoking.
-Author Taofeek
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 18. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you in 2 weeks on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
(It is basically a series in which I’ll be saving you the stress of going through the heaps of books you’ll find on the internet by giving you book recommendations on a specific need or desire you have, such as you’re interested in learning more about the Nigerian colonialism, or you’re a fan of Mystery novels!…)
This episode is on what you can read next if you struggle with going after your dreams (and to be honest, who doesn’t?….)
We all have dreams, goals and ideas but sometimes we may struggle to actually act on them because we all have fears and limitations that may hold us back.
Here are my top 2 book recommendations for you, if you struggle with going after your dreams. You will find them to be literal lifesavers!
You are welcome to Episode 17 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Rimma Onoseta, a Nigerian writer whose work explores identity, familial bonds, and the colonial corruption of African spirituality.
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young author in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy this so please grab a seat and let’s get right into it!
Keno: (with smiles) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Rimma, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Rimma : (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..How did you first step into the art of writing and what does writing mean to you as an author?.
Ms Rimma : (smiles) As a kid, my favourite pastime was getting lost in books. Books were my safe space. Writing is an extension of that safety. Writing to me is freedom. It’s self-care. This might sound pretentious but it’s my destiny. It’s what I was meant to do and I’m so grateful that I found my purpose.
Keno: (nods) It definitely does not sound pretentious to me. I love that you recognize writing as your purpose. Question 2, What inspired you to write your debut novel “How You Grow Wings”? (be it a series of events or an individual).
Ms Rimma: (smiles) I used to think of writing as something to pursue when I was older and wiser. Then in the span of a few months I came across books by Yaa Gyasi, Tomi Adeyemi and Ayobami Adebayo. These young black authors inspired me and made me realise I didn’t have to wait. I had a story in me and all I had to do was start writing.
Keno: Hmmm, older and wiser….a lot of times we fail to move forward because we discourage ourselves factors like that. I’m glad you realized you could do it young! So Question 3, What central message, if any, do you want you to pass to readers through your book?
Ms Rimma: (nods) At the heart of it, “How You Grow Wings” is about navigating a community that has failed you. For some people, home is not a safe space. And people can be forced to do unsavoury things when seeking safety. I’m hoping that by the last page, readers will understand why certain characters made certain decisions and find it within themselves to show the characters grace. And in doing so maybe extend that grace into the real world.
Keno:(nods ) I would be lying if I said I wasn’t majorly interested in your book! Question 4, How would you describe the concept of “success” as an author?
Ms Rimma: (smiles) Success is a reader picking up my book and feeling seen. It’s a reader finding peace and/or power in the pages. It’s a reader connecting with characters in a way that makes them feel less alone, makes them feel understood, makes them just feel.
Keno: (nods) Lovely. Question 5, When you first started writing your book, did you plan to publish it? Or you were just writing it as a way of expressing yourself?
Ms Rimma: I started writing for me. Being a writer was a childhood dream. I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. It was when I was about two thirds of the way done that I realised I had something here. I had a story that deserved to be told. So I set about figuring out how to get the book out in the world.
Keno: (nods) That’s so lovely. Question 6, What was the biggest struggle you encountered while writing your book?
Ms Rimma: My stories are mostly character driven. I love getting into a characters minds and figuring out what makes them tick, what makes them “them” Sometimes I can get so focused on it that I have so much character work but not enough plot and that can slow down the story. When you’re writing a novel, you get so attached to the story that it’s hard to see the flaws. I was really lucky to find trusted friends and amazing agents who understood the characters. Their feedback was invaluable and it helped me figure out what was missing. It’s easy to be defensive when you get feedback. I like to step away from the story and take my time to think through the notes I received with an open mind. So when I go back to revise, I’m editing with fairly fresh eyes.
Keno: (nods) I hope that will be helpful for someone out there. Question 7, How would you describe the process of getting your book published by a publishing agency? Was it difficult?
Ms Rimma: (smiles and nods) It was a very long process. I started writing this book December 2016 and it was published August 9, 2022. Publishing can be painfully slow at times. There were long stretches of silence that made me anxious and made me doubt but in the end, everything worked out the way it was meant to. It took about 9 months of querying to get my first agent. We went on submission and over the next year and a half, we kept on getting similar feed back “the book was good but there was something missing” Then my agent left agenting to pursue other endeavours. She passed my book along to another agent in her firm. That was a scary time because my first agent and I really connected and I was worried a new agent wouldn’t understand the story I was trying to tell. Thankfully my new agent was just as fantastic and enthusiastic about my book. After our first conversation it was clear that my book was in good hands. We took all the feedback we got from all the rejections and used it to revise. After a few months of revision we went on submission and a few months later I had an offer. And then more offers came in! I was so overjoyed and overwhelmed. Getting multiple offers after almost two years of rejection was wild.
Keno: Thank you for being so honest and inspiring on this particular question. You didn’t give up and I know it will encourage someone else not to! It definitely encourages me. Question 8, If you were to describe your book “How You Grow Wings” in a sentence, what would it be?
Ms Rimma : (smiles) “How You Grow Wings” is about two sisters breaking free of their oppressive home or in other words justifiably angry girls choosing themselves.
Keno: (nods) Hmmm. I know personally that a lot of people can relate to this beautiful storyline. Finally, Question 9, What would you like readers or followers to expect from you in the future? Are you working on any new books or projects?
Ms Rimma : I’m currently in a screenwriting program so writing scripts has currently taken over my life. But I’m also currently revising Book 2, which has been so much fun to write! Book two also follows angry girls (very on-brand of me. Lol) It’s also a YA Contemporary novel. Book 3 is going to be very different though. I read across genres and I want to write across genres. I want to try my hand at everything. Romance, mystery, thriller, fantasy. Everything!
Keno: More angry girls! (Laughs) I don’t even know why exactly but I’m personally so happy for you and I love that you didn’t throw in the towel when you probably had enough excuses to and you’re moving forward in the process of developing yourself as an author!. You are inspiring. It was lovely to have you, Ms Rimma. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on theYOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Rimma : It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thank you for asking these thoughtful questions. Dear Readers, I would love to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Rimma’s book “HOW YOU GROW WINGS”.
I started writing for me. Being a writer was a childhood dream. I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. It was when I was about two thirds of the way done that I realised I had something here. I had a story that deserved to be told. So I set about figuring out how to get the book out in the world.
-Author Rimma
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 17.Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you in 2 weeks on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
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Book Title: All We could Still Have. Author: Diane Barnes To Be Published:June 13, 2023. My Rating: 3.92/5.0. A realistic novel on Marriage, Family, Infertility, Adultery and many more(I RECOMMEND if those topics interest you!)
This is actually my first review of a NetGalley Advanced Reviewer’s Copy (ARC) on here.
For those unaware of this, an ARC is a common method used in the publishing world to generate reviews and attention for a book before it’s even published. And NetGalley is simply a platform that connects publishers and potential reviewers for books!.
Now let’s get right into the review proper!.
Book Blurb (Summary): This book is actually about a married couple: Kyle and Nicole Sebastian who who had a loving and healthy relationship until they were diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” and endure several failed rounds of IVF. Kyle, for both their sakes, is unwilling to bury them deeper in emotional and financial debt (IVF is expensive!) Desperate to have a baby, Nikki betrays Kyle’s trust in an attempt to try IVF one more time. The choice fractures their once-stable union. Now burdened with suspicion, resentment, and further grief, their little family is falling apart.
Big-hearted but tired Kyle. Patient but desperate Nicole. The main characters of this book are obviously human and flawed. The book takes a very realistic approach to what marriage often looks like.
It is honest, vulnerable, sometimes painful, sometimes joyful. The emotions, raw and relatable. Just like in real life and that is something I love to see when I read a book.
Kyle and Nicole, the main characters struggle in their marriage when they are unable to have children naturally and the strain of unsuccessful IVF operations finally get to them.
Not to give any spoilers, but they both make very unhealthy choices that brings their marriage closer to ruin.
They look back and see that they have lost the true meaning of their marriage: love and respect in the quest for a child. How do they resolve the messes they created and save their marriage?.
Well they had to focus on “All They Could Still Have”. The story ended very happily which is something I sort of saw coming and did not like.
I prefer when a book is more unpredictable and this one was not. I could correctly predict what was going to happen before it did. However I do like happy endings!.
Kudos to the author, Diane Barnes for her awesome character development and writing style. I would definitely read a book by her again and I would recommend this book to anybody as it holds some invaluable life lessons (even if you’re not married or trying to have a baby)!.
Thanks to NETGALLEY and the publishers of this book for letting me read and review it!.
Did you enjoy this review?. Would you like to read this book?. Please let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below!.
You are welcome to Episode 16 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. MeetMs Testimony Odey, a budding, award-winning Nigerian writer, poet and author of the book “ULOMA”.
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young author in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy it so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Testimony , thank you for having this interview.
Ms Testimony : (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..You published your first book “Uloma” in 2022, how would you describe it in a sentence?.
Ms Testimony : (smiles) Writing “Uloma” was an exciting ride and if I was to describe it in one sentence, this would be it: Uloma is a novel set in a suburban Nigerian home with a mixture of all the trappings that make an average home – the daily grapple with poverty, the escape route of religious fanaticism, and a desperate mother’s attempt to make a life for herself and her family.
Keno: (nods) Nice summary. That sounds interesting. Question 2, When did you start writing and how would you describe what the concept of “writing” means to you as an individual?.
Ms Testimony : (smiles) At age 7, I started writing. I also fell deeply in love with the library; it was my safe space and one of my favorite places. As for what writing means to me as an individual, it is like opening a door and saying, “here, feel what I feel. Spread your palms on my chest and feel how hard my heart is beating, come into my little world of sadness and misery and cry with me, or join me on this boat of laughter and joy and forget all your troubles.” Countless times, I have been able to surge my emotions into words through a pen or the keys on my keyboard. Perhaps, it is one of the most potent things I can do as a writer, one of the most powerful things writing can do, which is to open the door for any person to feel what I feel.
Keno: Wow, I love that and I agree with it. Writing helps us express the unexplainable. So Question 3, Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?.
Ms Testimony: (nods) Definitely!. It has given me purpose. I’ve realized I can influence people and the world positively, and having the ability to positively influence the world (through whatever form of art you choose) is a beautiful kind of superpower.
Keno:(nods )That is wonderful. I love that for you. Question 4, As a young author in Nigeria, what has been your greatest struggle?.
Ms Testimony: I’ve had a lot of struggles. One of them is when I was a little younger, a few of my classmates wouldn’t take me serious when they asked me what I wanted to become, and I said ‘a writer.’ They’d be like, ‘writer?‘ as though writing was nothing, as though it wasn’t a real job. A friend of mine who is a writer was telling me how people don’t take writers serious as long as they haven’t traditionally published a book. I think that there should be public awareness and enlightenment on that issue. At the same time, I have come to realize that some people hold on strongly to their beliefs, and would still take writing as a joke no matter what. It’s left for writers to just focus on their dreams, flee from negative energy and welcome positive energy.
Keno: (nods) That last part is very well said. Thanks for bring transparent with us on your struggles. Question 5, Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?.
Ms Testimony: When I was 7, I wrote because I had all these stories in me and I wanted to tell them, not because I was inspired by anyone to be a writer. My librarians, teachers and mum were so kind to me. Whenever I wrote, they would say something positive about my work and encourage me. So, I continued writing. My favorite writer when I was little was Jacqueline Wilson. As I grew older, I began reading wider range of books (when I was little, I once asked someone older than me who was reading a huge book, how he was able to read books without pictures…now, I know better). A few of the authors who inspire me include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Francine Rivers, Buchi Emecheta, Chinua Achebe, and Abi Daré.
Keno: (nods) Those are fantastic authors. Question 6, How long did it take you to write your book and what was the most difficult part of writing it?.
Ms Testimony: I think it took me about a year or less than one year to write Uloma, and the most difficult part was when I was in the middle of my first draft. It was like I was stuck in what seemed to be a writer’s block, but when I look at it now, all I needed was a break so that I could look at my work with a fresh perspective.
Keno: (nods) Okay. Question 7, Was there a particularly important message you wanted to share through your book?.
Ms Testimony: I don’t really think there was a particular message I wanted to share through my book when I started writing it. Eventually, during the process of writing, I realized I did have messages to share. But at the beginning, all I knew was that I had a story to share.
Keno: Interesting. Question 8, Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?.
Ms Testimony : (laughs) Having supporters is something that has kept me going, and if I were to choose my biggest supporter, I’d say my mum. And God too, because He’s the Giver of Life. But there have been so many wonderful people who have encouraged me through kind words as well, for which I am grateful. Tatiany Carvalho, Bárbara Vilda, and Nayara Rodriguez, which were my librarians. Mr. BM Dzukogi, Mr. Makama Shekwo’aga, who has put in great effort to support young writers, and so many other good friends and relatives.
Keno: (nods) It’s lovely that you have a lot of support!. Finally, Question 9, What would you like us to look forward to from you? Any new books?.
Ms Testimony : Yes, I’ve got a new novel coming out this year called Feathered. I’m also working on other writing projects.
Keno: (smiles) Another book this year!. That is impressive and amazing!. I wish you good luck through the writing and publishing process!……It was really delightful having you with us, Ms Testimony. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on theYOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Testimony: It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, If you would like to connect with and keep up with me, here is a link to all my social media pages!.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Testimony’s book “ULOMA” It is very affordable and you will enjoy it!.
Countless times, I have been able to surge my emotions into words through a pen or the keys on my keyboard. Perhaps, it is one of the most potent things I can do as a writer, one of the most powerful things writing can do, which is to open the door for another person to feel what I feel.
-Author Testimony
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 16. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you in 2 weeks on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
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Book Title: The Night And Its Tales. Author:Onwuneme Yahwedalu Miracle. Published: 2022 My Rating: 4.92/5.0.⭐️ A beautifully complicated coming-of-age tale with themes of Romance, Family, Friendship, Religion and Mystery. (I RECOMMEND!)
Here’s a book I could NOT wait to review, even while I was reading it. It’s rare to find a book that makes you feel so seen/understood and so I felt glad, excited to share about it with others!.
So for some backstory…:
I was asked to read/review this book last year by the author (who is now my good friend!)…. I did read it last year but I could not do a public review because I took an impromptu-but-much-needed social media break and a break from blogging too.
But as soon as I got back I knew I had to get this review done!. So here we are. I’ve reread the book again and I read it straight through, in one sitting (as I did the first time!). Some books just have that compelling effect!.
So let’s get straight into the review…..!
For me, this book is nothing short of a masterpiece. A unique, special and brilliant masterpiece!.
What really stood out to me, and made me love it was I found parts of myself in those pages (which is a really beautiful experience that you can only understand if you read books) and that it is honest, vulnerable, realistic. Just like real life actually is.
This book takes a stab at explaining being young and realizing life is not all what you thought it would be, describes the loneliness we sometimes feel as we take our individual paths through life.
So many responsibilities, so many dreams, very little opportunity, and the dreams keep tormenting every night, demanding to be unleashed. I always feel myself breaking from all the lives I have not lived.
The Man With The Biography.
There are three main characters in this book, and it is their journey towards rediscovery that we follow. A Young Writer obsessed with making a name for himself, as he seeks the perfect story; a Man who wants his biography written; and the Old Man who seeks to be heard. (The author leaves them nameless) Each of these characters become intertwined, and there’s definitely an air of mystery to them!.
At the start of the book, the Man who wants his biography written, meets with the Young Writer who’s searching for the perfect story to write, and he tells him (and us) his story. So we can say the Man with the biography is like the ‘Main Main Character’ (MMC), because it is his story that makes up the book!. However, it is the Young Writer that writes story.
And can I make a whole other review for the poems?!!!. Yes, there are poems scattered about all over this book. Poems, so good they stay on your mind. Beautiful, relatable and profound pieces of the author’s heart basically…..
Now to the MMC’s story, I’ll just briefly talk about the characters…..!
The story focuses on the MMC’s life as a university student. A guy who lost his parents at a young age, who has so many good friends and people around him, but can’t seem to let his guard down, can’t see himself as they all see him.
The Old Man was a librarian who the MMC was friends with and trusted. He was the key character in helping the MMC rediscover himself by reflecting on (or being honest with) himself at night.
The night was meant for sleep, now the night has many tales
The Old Man.
The Night is a whole other character in this book, (it was personified; given human qualities) representing those conversations we have with ourselves at night where we can face the truth about ourselves, bare, inevitable.
I’ve been known by many names; guilt, conscience, awareness. Can you believe someone once called me The Night?.
The Night.
At first, it was quite spooky reading about “The Night” as a person but it did make the story more mysterious and compelling. Abstract yet realistic. The Night was like the faithful friend, the mum who gives you good advice and the tough-love partner rolled up in one!.
Chinanza, the MMC’s sister. Kind, caring, responsible. Yet he struggles to open up to her and feels pity that she felt she had to take responsibility for him, be like his mum after their parents died and their relatives betrayed them.
Chiemerie, the MMC’s first love. The one he dreamed and planned to have a future with. But she lost her life due to poor healthcare after an accident. (Soooo heartbreaking!)
Precious, the MMC’s present girl friend. With her, it was love at first sight. But he still struggles to be open and honest with her. Thinks she is naïve to the reality of life. And she tries to save him from the darkness/heartbreak she sees in him.
You don’t need to have a diamond heart, you need to be broken, that’s how the light comes in.
Precious.
Lynda, the MMC’s best friend who he also struggles to be vulnerable with after his parents died. She’s a breath of fresh air, bubbly, funny, kind.
Yes, I choose loneliness because that is all I have known all my life, that’s all I’ve had as a friend, the closest of all friends in my life. And the voices in my head, they have never forsaken me, not once, not ever.
MMC.
Chiazokam, the MMC’s roommate, the outgoing, optimistic, ride or die type of person. The kind of person who can inspire/motivate you.
Stop seeking outwards what can be found within. You have read so many books and you have seen so much except one thing, yourself. Now is the time to seek within, read yourself, because that’s what a true warrior does and I know you as a true warrior. If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you lose.
Chiazokam.
Something that really stood out to me was how everyone seemed to believe in the MMC except himself. Everyone seemed to view him better than he did himself.
My greatest fear is that I will one day become beautiful again.
MMC.
The story drags to an end with The Night helping the MMC resolve his inner conflicts. I can relate to this and it’s possible you can too. Being scared to hope, scared to dream, scared to step into the light. Because we’ve all had life beat us down at some point, make us ugly.
I’ll leave you to find your peace for I cannot do that, only you can save you, no one else can. So, I leave you with this: Young man, save yourself
The Night.
The Night and the MMC also get into a conversation about religion. Christianity, to be precise. About believing God exists. Believing in God. That whole conversation was quite an eye opener for me to an extent. You have to read it to get it really!.
In the end, we see the MMC meeting up with the Young Writer after the book has been published.
Sure, the night awaits my tale. But this time, it ain’t a tale about a boy who sought salvation, it’s going to be more complicated than that.
The Young Writer.
That sounds like a sequel right?!. I definitely wanted…No, I want a sequel to this book!. And obviously, I enjoyed reading it so much. I think any young adult would. There’s a lot of value packed into this book….a whole lot.
If you’re interested in reading this book too, here’s the link to get it!. (Both soft and hard copies are available, plus it’s very affordable; you can see for yourself through the link!)
Did you enjoy this review?. Have you read this book?. Please let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below!.
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young author in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy it so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Torkwase , thank you for having this interview.
MsTorkwase : (smiles) Thank you so much Keno, for seeing me as important enough to get a session with you I’m deeply honored!. I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
Keno: (smiles) You definitely are important enough. Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..You are actually our first Poet on the series!. What made you decide to write Poetry/be a Poet?.
Ms Torkwase : (smiles) Aww, I’m glad to be your first interviewed poet. Poetry is beautiful, and like I always say the right words make everything better. I didn’t just decide to become a writer though(laughs), I hit a tough patch in my adult life in the year 2019, so writing was my outlet and it did wonders to my soul. Till today I don’t forget thank God for the day I picked up my pen and wrote my first poem!.
Keno: (nods) Writing is a wonderful outlet, I love that for you. Question 2, You tagged your book : “Pain is Gender Neutral” as a tribute to men. Reading about your book on Amazon was what first drew me into asking you for an interview. It’s quite unusual to find a female writing about the injustice males face. I mean we have our own feminist movement!. (Laughs) So why did you think it was important that you write this book?. Any personal experiences?. When was the moment you realized you had to write it?.
Ms Torkwase : (smiles) My moment of truth; when I realized I needed to write my book was when I, as a female, discovered that a lot of men experience painful emotions as they face life’s often hard situations, but are not given the freedom and safeness to be open about it. Not with their mothers, fathers, partners or even their own children.
Keno: (nods) Hmmm…. That is really deep. Your book is one I am definitely intrigued about!. So Question 3, I have to ask; What is your favorite line from your book?.
Ms Torkwase: (smiles) This line is my favorite and it’s from the third poem in the book titled: “VULNERABILITY”. Dear man, Vulnerability Is Not A Curse. It Is Love.
Keno:Wow, Just wow. That’s really beautiful. Question 4, Did you have any challenges writing this book as a female?. If yes, how did you overcome them?.
Ms Torkwase: Yes, I did encounter some challenges writing this book, because I had to put myself in the shoes of a man, I had to think like one, feel emotions like one and because I’m NOT a man, it was difficult. But all through the process.I had a male figure who made it possible: MY DAD. I love him so much and he actually inspired this book (smiles).
Keno: (nods) Amazing. Question 5, How long did it take you to complete your book?.
Ms Torkwase: A month!. The book is not large and it does not have that many poems in it. I just needed to pass a message to all the men out there to know that being emotionally vulnerable is not a curse and it is okay.
Keno: Wow, a month!. That’s pretty fast. Question 6, As a young Nigerian author, what has been your greatest struggle?.
Ms Torkwase: (shrugs) That has been to break through from my mind to deeply connect with my readers and whoever comes across my work. I don’t write just for myself, I write for my readers as well. I write to express what they cannot. I write to make them know they are heard. I write to help them live the lives they want to live . I’m Nigerian and so, there are a lot of barriers, but I hope to scale through all those someday.
Keno: (nods) Okay. Question 7, What is the MOST important thing you want readers to take away from your book?.
Ms Torkwase: I want readers to be true to themselves. Every other day, I wake up and I strive to being true to myself. In as much as I say men should be vulnerable, safe environments have not been created YET for that and that IS why many of them still hold back. But I need my readers to know that you must not show vulnerability only to others, you can be vulnerable with yourself too and be vulnerable to whoever you worship also.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Lovely words!. Question 8, Are you currently working on any new books?. Give us the teaaaaa!.
Ms Torkwase: (laughs) Oh my gosh, yes I am. I have been doing so since the ASUU strike of last year, I hope to finish it soon, even though it’s on hold right now and I can’t really say much about it.
Keno: (nods) Well, I’ll be looking forward to when you publish it!. Finally, Question 9, What is something special you’d like the readers of this interview to know about you?.
Ms Torkwase: I’d like my readers to know that I’m in the phase of my life where I need things to work out for me, I need the country to be better for my future, I need to make the choices I think are best for me now. It’s a tasking stage of my life and I’m saying to everyone out there who might be in the same stage that we will surely pass through it and emerge fine in the end.
Keno: (smiles) Awwww, that’s kind of you!…..It was really delightful having you with us, Ms Torkwase . Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on theYOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Torkwase: It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Torkwase’s book “ PAIN IS GENDER NEUTRAL”. It is very affordable and you may enjoy it!.
I don’t only write just for myself. I write for my readers as well. I write to express what they cannot. I write to make them know they are heard. I write to help them live the lives they want to live.
-Author Torkwase
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 15. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
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It’s been so quiet on this blog for a few months….. Well the show is about to continue once more!. Hit the lights!. Slide open the curtains!. Drum rooolllll!!!!🥁🥁
I, Obe Keno, am so glad to welcome YOU to Episode 14 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Osas Idubor, an award-winning writer, and bestselling author with Africa’s foremost leading digital book stores, Okadabooks and Bambooks.
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young author in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy it so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Osas, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Osas : (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..What is your goal as an author?.
Ms Osas: To entertain: to keep churning out as many beautiful pieces as possible. The kinds of books that will keep my fans hooked from the first to the last sentence—books that they wouldn’t even dare cheat on with other books. But away from writing, I’ve made and continue to make conscious efforts towards having a platform that will be of so much help to entrepreneurs and writers who trade words for a living……I mean, there is no harm in providing helpful tips, advice, and assistance to intending writers or entrepreneurs so as to aid their journey, because I understand all too well that a candle never loses its flame from lighting another…….It comes with great and profound joy to constantly utilise my platform and pour myself into people who are all too serious and ready to take the necessary steps towards becoming better than they were the day before. And in doing so, I’m equally learning!.
Keno: (nods) Wow…. that’s interesting. I can really feel your passion through your words. Question 2, As a young author in Nigeria, what has been your greatest struggle?.
Ms Osas: (smiles) In my early career days, I would say I had a lot of challenges, but now I’m rather helping others overcome some of those challenges because a lot has changed……What changed for me was going back to the drawing board, taking the pain to research and try out new strategies and options, and rather slowly but surely, things began to work differently and still do.
Keno: (smiles and nods) Question 3, Do you read a lot of books? If yes, do you believe that being an avid reader has contributed to your being a great writer?.
Ms Osas: (smiles) Oh, yes, I do. Reading is an obsession of mine that hasn’t waned over time. I love to read, and yes, reading has been instrumental to my growth as a writer. As a writer, almost any piece one can lay their hands on should be consumed by them. Reading both the good and bad writings will no doubt help in no small way. You would know what to write about and, similarly, what to avoid or how best to avoid wounding up terrible pieces.
Keno:That’s definitely true. Reading builds you up as a writer.. Question 4, How do you select the names of your characters?.
Ms Osas: They come to me. The same way I get random bursts of story ideas, is the same way I get told by my characters what they want to be called……And for the ones who play hide and seek with me, I name them based on their personalities, physiques, or character traits. Cynthia, for example, has to be the loud one, the one who equally chews gum obnoxiously or loudly. I wouldn’t choose a calm or odd name to go with such a character……Amarachi has to be the one with the firm, round buttocks. Thick in all the right places, she knows she is a 10, and that is why she is so cocky. But is she sweet, even though that sweetness appears once every blue moon Or maybe with the right man, she would loosen up completely. I wouldn’t name Amarachi, Felicity for example.
Keno: (smiles) Wow, to really think about it, it’s really great when a character’s name and personality matches. Question 5, What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?.
Ms Osas: A lot, and for the purpose of this interview, we might not be able to exhaust all of the pieces of advice I might have at my disposal. But the most important thing will be for them to be themselves and write as naturally as they can, after which they can always go back and rewrite the scenes or chapters that don’t quite appeal to them or the work itself. Suffice it to say, a terrible mistake would be for them to treat their first draft as their final draft. There is also the issue of grammar, the incorrect use of punctuation marks, and sentence variation, which is why they need to run their pieces by editors. See, as long as it’s your writing, you are going to have a hard time figuring out majority of the things that are out of place, and that is because love must have taken place. You might just be too in love with and attached to the pieces to ever be able to detect a mistake. So employing extra eyes would be such a good thing to do. They should also be willing to go for a catchy book blurb and cover art. I can understand that some of these services are rather expensive for new writers just venturing into the publishing field, but there are creatives whose fees are at subsidised rates, and I’m glad I’m one of such people. Because I understand too well how important it is for a story that needs to be told to be out there for the right audience to consume.
Keno: (laughs) Wholesome advice, Ms Osas. Appreciate your honesty. Question 6, What genre of fiction do you prefer to read and/or write?.
Ms Osas: (smiles) I read almost everything I can lay my hands on. So, no, I don’t have specific preferences. The same goes for my writing, and I’m quite a versatile writer. I do all kinds of writing but I have such a keen interest in writing and publishing romance fiction.
Keno: (nods) That’s lovely. Question 7, What drove or inspired you to write your first novel?.
Ms Osas: It was due to the demand that came in for it from people, most especially folks during my undergrad days. Coincidentally, I had this story idea that I couldn’t fit into a short story. So I got down to business and gave it my all. That is not to say I didn’t constantly feel nervous about the entire publishing process and kept asking myself questions, but seeing how I was able to answer those honest and interesting questions, I went on ahead to have the book published, and boy was it thoroughly received. Everyone loved how unpredictable the story was. Everyone talked about the suspense, and although I made a conscious effort to make sure there was enough suspense in the first place, hearing all about it from people after they consumed the piece felt so refreshing. I knew I had made a great first impression.
Keno: (smiles & nods) I love that!. Having your first book being so well received must have really encouraged you. Question 8, In which of your books have you really done all you could to pass on a specific message?. What is the message, and why was it so important that you share it?.
Ms Osas:“ETEL”.The story needed to be written and read. Etel tells the story of a girl who was forced to leave the house by her guardians and the community that was meant to protect her because she, unfortunately, got raped. In their own minds, they felt it was her fault. They felt her skimpy outfits were responsible, and I needed to let people know how much of a rape apologist they were if they had and encourage similar thoughts. A man should be able to control himself and his hormones, and these were some of the things that needed to be known. It wasn’t Etel’s fault that she got raped; the b*stard who did that to her should have been reprimanded, beaten, and locked behind bars. Proper attention should have been given to Etel. She should have been given proper medical care as well, not made to feel that she was largely at fault.
Keno: (nods) That’s definitely an important message, I’m sure many others would agree. “ETEL” sounds like a valuable book. Finally, Question 9, What do you feel is the best way to market books as an author?.
Ms Osas: There are lots of ways one could market their books, which is why platforms like the Zero Authorpreneurship Network Africa, was birthed by me. To help solve as well as provide helpful tips, advice, and whatnot to budding authors. But on the spot, I’d say, talk about your books as often as you can; there is no shame in selling yourself rather unapologetically. Although a great deal of moderation still needs to be applied. Post excerpts of your books, and before talking about marketing, be sure you’ve done a great job with the book cover design and blurb (after you’ve done a great job with the story itself). Because these are some of the things that will no doubt be of interest at first glance to the people who are meant to purchase your books. Again, be ready to spend money. Sometimes, you need big money for small moves, and this thing called marketing needs the right amount of funding.
Keno: (smiles) Thank you for sharing that!…..It was really delightful having you with us, Ms Osas. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on theYOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Osas: It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Osas Idubor’s book “ETEL” . It is very affordable and you may enjoy it!.
My advice for first-time authors: Don’t treat your first draft as your final draft. Write as naturally as you can. Employ extra eyes to read/review your book. Go for a catchy book blurb and cover art!
-Author Osas
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 14. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
I, Obe Keno, am so glad to welcome YOU to Episode 13 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Obiageli Onugha, a Book Publicist/influencer to whom “Reading is like traveling with no visa, airport hassle, and of course the occasional annoying seatmate. Just you, book in hand, and endless possibilities.” (As a book lover I really relate to that!).
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a book influencer/Publicist in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy it so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Obiageli , thank you for having this interview.
Ms Obiageli: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, to kick things off Ms Obiageli , I’ll start by spilling the first question we have for you today….. How did you get started with book influencing, what led to it?.
Ms Obiageli: I originally started it as a hobby. It was during the lockdown and I had just lost my job. To be honest, I was depressed and extremely stressed. My friends always joke around and say that you can tell when I’m stressed by the number of books I read/consume. I was reading a lot and a friend advised me to start reviewing books online just as a way to let off some steam. So that was how I started. It’s a bit pretentious to say that books saved me from depression but I can say that they definitely helped a bit. Book influencing is a lot different from regular influencing because you have to do the groundwork yourself. You have to email the publishing houses yourself, and you are often not even paid. The free book is considered your payment. At the time, I didn’t mind because giving a free book to a book lover is like waving a crack in front of an addict….
Keno: (nods) Wow…. that’s an interesting start. Appreciate your honesty. Question 2, What does a typical day in your week as a Book Influencer look like?.
Ms Obiageli: (smiles) I work remotely so that is kind of a blessing and a curse because once I get stressed with work best believe, I look for a book to stick my nose in, and before you know it my hours are gone. I create most of my content at home and during the weekend which is the best time to batch create content. This is the best-case scenario. I am a Nigerian living in Buhari’s Nigeria so I am constantly battling terrible electric supply, loud generator noises, high diesel prices, and the likes. I don’t even want to go into the creative brain drain that you have to battle as a creative in this country. It’s exhausting
Keno: (smiles and nods) That is SO relatable!. Which brings me to Question 3, What advice would you give to a Book Influencer/Publicist who’s just starting out?.
Ms Obiageli: (smiles) Just be yourself!. Don’t focus on what anyone else is doing. I know you have heard it so many times, it sounds like a cliche but just be yourself. If you feel like you want to do your book reviews in pidgin, JUST DO IT, because there would always be an audience out there that needs someone like you, your own unique community and they are waiting for you to just do it!. Gosh, I sound like a Nike commercial!
Keno:(laughs) Great advice, Ms Obiageli. Question 4, What are your favorite tools for creating bookish content for social media?.
Ms Obiageli: I use Capcut for my videos and sometimes Canva. I also love lightroom, it’s a Godsent!. I use it to edit my photos. Plus my Phone, how can I forget my phone?.
Keno: (smiles) Okay!. Question 5, What is the most annoying assumption you’ve faced from others as a book lover?.
Ms Obiageli: One assumption that kills me is when people say, “Oh, you love reading only fiction that means that you are not a serious reader”. I’m like excuse you?!. Do you know how much knowledge I have stored up in my head?. Then you ask them what books they read and they say 47 laws of Power or some manipulative piece of junk! Please read fiction and learn about different cultures and places. More importantly, read fiction and learn empathy!.
Keno: (laughs) It’s the “47 laws of power for me”!. But really, any fiction lover can attest to the fact that you really learn a lot from Fiction books. Question 6, What is most rewarding for you about book influencing?.
Ms Obiageli: (smiles) Getting Books, Books, Books!. Of course! However, another thing I love is when I make a book recommendation and I get feedback from my audience that they loved the book and they shared the same views and thoughts about the book as me. Even, when they have opposing views, it’s just so fun to share and listen to views and opinions from strangers.
Keno: (nods) That’s lovely. Question 7, How do you measure success as a book influencer?.
Ms Obiageli: I really don’t think about that. I’m here for the fun and vibes and if that resonates with you grab a book and follow me. As I said in the beginning, I started this to relieve my stress and as a coping mechanism. I don’t want to burden myself with thinking about “oh am I doing enough, how many likes or shares did I get”. Nope, none of that. If I get you to pick up a book, my work is done.
Keno: (smiles & nods) I love that!. Question 8, What is your absolute favorite thing about reading books in general?.
Ms Obiageli: Reading is by far my sweetest escape. It opens my mind and takes me to alternate worlds with diverse cultures and characters with a plethora of personalities. It’s like traveling with no visa, airport hassle, and of course the occasional annoying seatmate. Just you, book in hand, and endless possibilities.
Keno: (smiles) That’s beautiful (can so relate to that!). Question 9, What are your top 3 goals as a Book Influencer?.
Ms Obiageli: (smiles) My top 3 goals as a Book Influencer are: 1-Honesty – My reviews are always 100% honest. If I didn’t enjoy a book, I am going to state that clearly with hard facts about why it wasn’t my thing. However, I try to do so respectfully because I have a lot of respect for the art of writing. It’s not easy to write. 2-Promoting African Books. 3-Teaching people that reading is actually fun and exciting.
Keno: (nods) Great goals!. Question 10, What genre of books do you enjoy reading/publicizing?.
Ms Obiageli: It’s African and Asian literature all day every day!.
Keno: (smiles) Cheers to that!…..It was really delightful having you with us, Ms Obiageli . Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Obiageli: It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!.
Don’t focus on what anyone else is doing. I know you have heard it so many times, it sounds like a cliche but BE YOURSELF. If you feel like you want to do your book reviews in pidgin. Just do it because there would always be an audience out there that needs someone like you, your own unique community and they are waiting for you to JUST DO IT!.
-Book Influencer Obiageli
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please ensure you do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 13. You are an AMAZING human!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Edwin Okoye, an Author to who finds joy in writing more than anything else!.
He is going to answer 12 very insightful questions about himself, his journey and growth as an Author in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy it so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) A warm welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Mr Edwin, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog.
Keno: Absolutely. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Mr Edwin, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today….When did you first decide you were going to become an author and why?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) It was when I was a ‘Jambite’. I remember reading a book and I kept saying to myself that if I was a writer, I would have written better than the author of the book. I had previously heard my younger sister talk about an online writers/readers platform called “Wattpad”. So I decided to join the platform and start writing books just for fun at first. Later on, the book got much acceptance from the readers and that urged me to decide to become a full time author.
Keno: Interesting….Question 2, What surprised you the most, in the process of creating a book?.
Mr Edwin: It’s very difficult converting thoughts into writing. I can have a full book in my head with the descriptions, narrations and conversations but transferring ALL that into writing is where the real work is. It is surprisingly difficult. But still very satisfying in the end.
Keno: (nods) Okay…. Question 3, What was the inspiration or idea for your book: “ONE SOUL”?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Well….. The inspiration came in 2019 while I was in my 2nd year in school. I and my lodgemate were discussing random stuffs and she simply mentioned out of the blues, “Imagine what would happen if Lucifer apologize to God. Ah… Heaven straight!” That was when it hit me that I needed to create a story revolving around that scenario. That was the beginning of the great journey.
Keno:(smiles) That’s interesting and I have to say, that storyline is really intriguing!…. Which brings me to the next question, Reading your book blurb, there’s a specific question I need to ask….. do you think some might not entertain the idea of your book because it tries to resolve something that isn’t really resolved in reality?. (Lucifer apologizing to God)
MrEdwin: (smiles & nods) To be honest, yes. On few occasions, I have stumbled upon very religious people that question the motive of the book. Some claim it’s an end time book. These were what I expected to happen when I released the book, based on the society we live in.
Keno: Wow. Okay…. Question 5, As a young author in Nigeria what have you struggled the most with?.
Mr Edwin: Getting readers and making sales. In a country where the reading culture is fast fading away, these are the major struggles I have.
Keno: (nods) That’s understandable……. Question 6, What exactly keeps you going despite the struggle you face as a Nigerian author?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Passion. Since I discovered myself and my ability in writing, there’s nothing else I can think that gives me more joy than writing.
Keno: (nods) That’s lovely. Question 7, What’s the worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave you?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) To be honest, none. I’m not one to take advice from anyone without doing my own research. So whatever advice you’re giving to me, I must first run some research on it first before I think of implementing it.
Keno: (nods) That’s great……Question 8, What do you hope readers will take away from your book, “ONE SOUL”?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) That knowledge of what could happen if Lucifer apologizes to God. Then a closer look on the family structure of the archangels.
Keno: (nods) Interesting….. Question 9, What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Descriptions. At the beginning of my writing career, I was very very poor at descriptions. I wish I was as good as I currently am back then.
Keno: (smiles) That’s nice….. Question 10, What are your favorite and least favorite genres to write?.
Mr Edwin: My favorite genre is “Humor”. I find it very easy to write books that contain humor . My least favorite is “Fantasy”. I’m not good in this genre at all.
Keno: (nods) Okay…..Question 11, Did you self publish your book: “ONE SOUL?”.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Yes. I self published “ONE SOUL” all by myself.
Keno: (nods) Okay ….. And now, the LAST question. Are you currently working on a new book? If yes, can you share briefly about it?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Yes. I’m currently writing my 6th book titled “LEGEND OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST PLAYBOY”. It’s the story of a guy who was sexually harassed as a teen by his private tutor. He then grows becoming addicted to sex and women in general.
Keno: (smiles) Wow, that’ll be an interesting one….. Thank you, Mr Edwin for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Edwin: It was lovely to do this with you, Keno. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our community: @taleofthebook on Instagram if you aren’t already a part!. And you might want to check out Mr Edwin’s book: “ONE SOUL”. You might enjoy it. (Smiles).
“Imagine what would happen if Lucifer apologize to God. Ah… Heaven straight!” That was when it hit me that I needed to create a story revolving around that scenario. That was the beginning of the great journey.
-Author Edwin
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please ensure you do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Onwuneme Miracle, an Author to whom “writing” is all that makes sense!.
He is going to answer 12 very insightful questions about himself, his journey and growth as an Author in Nigeria for us, and I know you enjoy it so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) A warm welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Mr Miracle, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Mr Miracle, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today…..What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating a book?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) The author doesn’t have 100% control of the book. I know it sounds strange but sometimes, it feels as if the characters want the story differently from what the author wants.
Keno: (laughs) That’s interesting…Question 2, What do you think makes a good story?.
Mr Miracle: Well, I think it’s the plot (storyline). I feel like the plot of the story decides if it will be a good story or not.
Keno: (nods) Okay…. Question 3, When did you first decide you were going to become an author and why?.
Mr Miracle: I think it’s when I was 16. Growing up, I was a book nerd. I read far and wide but reading Dan Brown‘s books, I didn’t like some of his endings. Don’t get me wrong, Brown is an exceptional author but as a kid, I wanted more action, thrill and excitement. I felt he ended it all abruptly, so I rewrote endings to keep the stories rolling. At age 16, I decided to write MINE and not just rewrite other people’s endings.
Keno:(smiles) That’s interesting and cheers to us book nerds!…..Question 4, What was the inspiration or idea for your book: “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS” was inspired by a stranger. Funny enough, I don’t know his name, and I’ve met him only once in my life. It was at a time I was searching for a story and this stranger was kind enough to tell me his story. All I did was make a few tweaks and boom…..A masterpiece!.
Keno: Wow. That’s intriguing…. Question 5, As a young author in Nigeria what have you struggled the most with?.
Mr Miracle: Hmmm… that’ll be the publishing process. From the submission of the completed manuscript to marketing. It’s all too much most times. Sometimes, I feel like giving up. The time, energy, finance… It feels overwhelming.
Keno: (nods) It must be quite draining……. Question 6, What exactly keeps you going despite the struggle you face as a Nigerian author?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles & shrugs) I am a writer. Writing is all that makes sense to me. Whether it’s a poem, a short story, or a little verse. I feel whole whenever I write.
Keno: (nods) That’s something special indeed. Question 7, What’s the worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave you?.
Mr Miracle: (laughs) This guy once told me to give up, that it was useless wasting finances to get a book published that no one would read. That’s the worst advice I have received, and I am glad I didn’t heed it.
Keno: (smiles) So am I!. That was a pretty horrible advice. Question 8, What do you hope readers will take away from your book “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Reflections help to set us right again. Separating yourself for midnight reflections can help set the path of what is important or not. Most times, everything is so heavy and clouded up. That’s when we need reflections. And that’s what I hope readers get from the book.
Keno: (nods) Interesting….. Question 9, What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?
Mr Miracle: (smiles) It’s pretty simple. “Just do it. It’s going to be hard, but just do it.”
Keno: (smiles) That’s a good lesson learnt….. Question 10, What are your favorite and least favorite genres to write?.
Mr Miracle: My favourite genre to write is Fiction. My least favourite is Self-Help.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I did self-publish. I was unlucky not to get book deals for traditional publishing, so I ventured into self-publishing.
Keno: (nods) Okay ….. And now, the LAST question. Are you currently working on a new book? If yes, can you share briefly about it?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I am always writing.My new work in progress draws inspiration from different people as they try to explain a thought to be simple concept. It is basically trying to draw from the perspective of different individuals.
Keno: (smiles) That’ll be interesting….. Thank you, Mr Miracle for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Miracle: It was lovely to do this with you, Keno. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our community: @taleofthebook on Instagram if you aren’t already a part!. And you might want to check out Mr Miracle’s book:“THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?. You might enjoy it. (Smiles).
This guy once told me to give up, that it was useless wasting finances to get a book published that no one would read. That’s the worst advice I have received, and I am glad I didn’t heed it. My advice to aspiring authors is pretty simple: “Just do it. It’s going to be hard, but just do it.”
-Author Miracle
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please ensure you do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
I, Obe Keno, am thrilled to welcome YOU to Episode 9 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. MeetMs Uduakobong Eshiet , a Book Cover Designer who works at a publishing firm in Nigeria called Ifeadigho Publishing.
She is going to answer eleven(11) very insightful questions about herself, giving her perspective as an Book Cover Designer/Publishing Company staff in Nigeria for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) A warm welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Uduakobong, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. Hey you, yes YOU reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Ms Uduakobong, I’ll start by asking the first question…..As someone who works with a Publishing Firm, what kind of books do you feel we need more of in Nigeria, by Nigerian authors?.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) I feel we need more personal development books for teenagers and youths.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Okay….Interesting. Question 2, What do you find most interesting or enjoyable about the publishing process?.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) Well, for us at Ifeadigo, we do things differently. We are a self-publishing company. We are not just concerned with publishing your book, we take you from idea to conceptualization. We publish books that meet International standard. We provide authors with all the resources they need to have a successful book in the market. So, the most interesting and enjoyable thing about the publishing process is that we treat every book project like it were ours. We carry the author along at every stage. We make them a part of the process and we see to it that the author’s expectations are met.
Keno: (nods) That sounds nice. Question 3, you design Book Covers. What app or apps do you use?.
Ms Uduakobong: I make use of Canva mobile app.
Keno:(nods) Okay. Question 4, When and how did you get into the Book Cover Designing?.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) As a graphics designer, I gained knowledge on e-book cover design, and I designed a number of book covers for authors……As I improved on my craft, I officially started designing book covers for Ifeadigo Publishing Company in January 2022.
Ms Uduakobong: Interesting question….Before the official launch of Ifeadigo Publishing Company Limited, I was fortunate to be a close mentee of the co-founder—Mr. Stanley Umezulike. I was (still am) a huge fan of him. I was fortunate to be a part of the idea inception, and the process of making it a reality. In April, 2021, I was given the offer of being the company’s social media manager. It was a great honor to be found worthy of such an esteemed position. I gladly accepted, and it’s been an amazing journey working with/for Ifeadigo Publishing Company Limited.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Okay….. Question 6, What is your favorite thing about working with a publishing company?.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) My favorite thing about working with Ifeadigo Publishing Company is the flexibility that comes with my job role. I have garnered knowledge (to my surprise) on book publishing process and I can freely provide answers to the needs of authors. I get the opportunity to relate with writers, and authors and amazingly enlighten them on what book publishing entails. I appreciate the guidance I get from my bosses. Whenever something is not clear to me, they are always willing to put me through.
Keno: (nods) That sounds so nice…. Question 7, What is one random but important thing you wish people would know when it comes to the Nigerian Book Industry?.
Ms Uduakobong: One thing I would want people to know about the Nigerian Book Industry is that the industry is rich with a lot of young talents who should be given a voice to tell their own unique stories.I feel more attention is being paid to the authors who are already in the limelight.
Keno: ;Wow…. that is quite a viewpoint. Question 8, How do you know when a book cover you designed is good-to-go?.
Ms Uduakobong: Before a book cover is accepted, it goes through a series of revisions to meet the expectations of the author.
Keno: Okay….. Question 9, Who is your all-time favorite Nigerian author?.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) My favorite Nigerian author is Helon Habila, author of “Measuring Time”.
Keno: (nods) Interesting….. Question 10, What advice would you give to a newbie on designing book covers?.
Ms Uduakobong: (smiles) I think before anyone sets out to become a book cover designer, he/she should have basic knowledge on design. You can’t just wake up one morning and decide to be a book cover designer without understanding design principles. Book cover design goes beyond putting texts and images together. My advice? Get the knowledge you need to stand out as a book cover designer, be willing to take corrections, improve daily, practice, connect with people in your niche, be willing and ready to learn. Also, learn how to accept criticisms because you’ll get a truckload of them.
Keno: (smiles) Great advice….I hope it helps someone reading this….. Question 11, What is something you can 100% boast about when it comes to your brand, YUDEE GRAPHICS?.
Ms Uduakobong: I don’t know if a 100% is allowed here (laughs). I’m proud of its steady growth and the fact that YUDEE GRAPHICS has successfully completed, satisfactorily, a number of design projects for Ifeadigo Publishing Company Limited, individuals and other brands.
Keno: (smiles) That’s lovely…..Thank you, Ms Uduakobong for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Uduakobong: It was lovely to do this with you, Keno. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our community: @taleofthebook on Instagram if you aren’t already a part!.
One thing I would want people to know about the Nigerian Book Industry is that the industry is rich with a lot of young talents who should be given a voice to tell their own unique stories.I feel more attention is being paid to the authors who are already in the limelight.
-Book Cover Designer UD
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please ensure you do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 9. You are such an AMAZING human!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
I, Obe Keno, am excited to welcome YOU to Episode 8 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Ayodeji Ajagbe, an award-winning Author who writes with the goal of transporting his readers outside their circumstances. Of giving them something bigger to dream about.
He is going to answer TWELVE (12) very insightful questions about himself, his goals and growth as an Author in Nigeria for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) A warm welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Mr Ayodeji, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this intriguing series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. Hey you, yes YOU reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Mr Ayodeji, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today….. What does success mean to you as an author?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) In my crazy fantasy, Netflix making a movie based on one of my books. More realistically, I’d just like to see people out and about, carrying a copy of my book. I’ll really feel successful when I’m able to live off my writing.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Interesting. And personally, I don’t think your Netflix fantasy is so crazy!. Question 2, What do you like best about being an author?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) I like the attention and spotlight that comes with being a published author. I’ve always felt this inner need to be known. Famous is not quite what I’m going for here. Famous people are both loved and hated. I want to be more than that — An author has the ability to transport readers outside of their circumstances. To give them something bigger to dream about. To give them characters to identify with, characters that seem so lifelike and real, that you often think of them as real people. To create stories that seem real, but amazing. To create worlds that no one else would dream of.
Keno: (nods) Wow, those are some descriptions!. And they’re SO true. It’s likable that your best thing about authorship is that people get to know you through your works. Question 3, What do you think is the best way to market books in Nigeria from your experience as an author?.
Mr Ayodeji: I think the best way so far is digital marketing and I’m super grateful for the various social media platforms we have now. With Facebook, Twitter and Google, I’ve been able to reach more audiences in and outside Nigeria.
Keno:(nods) Interesting. Question 4, What message were you trying to pass to your readers through your book: “REFLECTION: RULERS AND PREYS”?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) I’m not “conveying a message.” I’m a storyteller. That’s how I do it, and my books are the proper format for what I do. If I wanted to convey a message, I’d write an opinion article and get it published on blogs. Having said that, of course I embed my own moral and ethical stances in my work. But that’s because they’re fundamental to my storytelling. It is now left for my readers to take whatever they want to from my book.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Okay…. that’s a wise philosophy. Question 5, As a young author in Nigeria, what has been your greatest struggle?.
Mr Ayodeji: The first struggle is piracy. My books have been pirated and sold without my consents so many times. Sometimes I see bookstores charging exorbitant prices just to make money from my books illegally. Some readers also prefer to get badly formatted copies of my book for free online rather than go through the normal process of buying from an accredited bookstore. The second struggle is that Nigerians do not appreciate art. Especially books. I’ve sold over five hundred copies of my books and 80% of my readers are not Nigerians. I have a statistic for that.
*psst- hey reader, in the comment session, please share your thoughts about Nigerians not appreciating art—especially books*
Keno: (nods) Hmmm….. The piracy in particular must be quite infuriating. That brings me to Question 6, Why do you keep going despite those struggles you face as a Nigerian author?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) I know it’s just a matter of time. Everything will fall in place in due time. I know that if I can make it out of Nigeria to a country where books are appreciated, all my struggles will be forgotten and I’ll definitely do fine as an author.
Keno: (nods) Aww…. hearing that is a bit saddening. Question 7, Did you self publish your books?. If you did not, which publishing company in Nigeria do you work with?.
Mr Ayodeji: I’m an independent (self published) author, and I’ve worked with DailyPress PLC and Commune Writers Int’l.
Keno: Okay…. Question 8, When writing a book, how do you choose your characters’ names?. Do you pick out names that have tangible meanings or that relate to the story?.
Mr Ayodeji: I select the names of my characters based on their roles, the story plot & the theme or setting. To explain this concept, if I’m writing a story set in Old Oyo empire in the 1550’s, I am not going to use English names like Johnson, Williams, or Helen. To make the story more realistic, I have to choose a native name associated with the tribe I based the setting on.
Keno: (smiles & nods) That makes sense. Hopefully it’ll be helpful to someone reading this…. Question 9, Did you ever include personal experiences in your books?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) Yes, I do that in all of my books. Each of my books contain one or two secrets about me.
Keno: (nods) That’s intriguing….. Question 10, I read the book blurb on goodreads and I just have to ask, What inspired you to write your latest book: “WHAT HAPPENED TO HELEN”?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) While “WHAT HAPPENED TO HELEN” is a work of fiction, the inspiration is gotten from the experiences of some people I knew growing up as a child who went through the unfortunate reality of rape and being pressured into relationships they didn’t want. Those stories have stayed with me throughout my life, and knowing how important this topic was (because of my personal connection with it) inspired me to keep on writing that book even when it was emotionally difficult for me to continue.
Keno: (nods) Wow, WHTH sounds like very a special piece of art. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I’M a Nigerian who appreciates art—especially books (smiles). Question 11, What can you pinpoint as the biggest reason why you write books?.
Mr Ayodeji: The biggest reason why I write books is because I can live anywhere and be anyone when I write. I find it interesting to explore different characters and even to figure out that the character you developed is nothing like you. I write because I have all these different ideas and notions that should be but they are not. I’m no idealist I just love living in the idea of a fantasy world where everything is to your liking.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Interesting….. And now, the LAST question, What is one thing you can proudly boast of when it comes to your books?.
Mr Ayodeji: (smiles) I am proud of, and can boast of so many things about my book, but let me just mention that my book “WHAT HAPPENED TO HELEN” was named a #1 Bestseller barely two months after publication. That same week, I was nominated as NALSSbest writer of the year. It’s such an honor.
Keno: (smiles) Wow…..You must be so proud!. And you deserve it!…..Thank you, Mr Ayodeji for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Ayodeji: It was lovely to do this with you, Keno. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our community: @taleofthebook on Instagram if you aren’t already a part!. Are you a Nigerian who appreciates art?. Then you might want to check out Mr Ayodeji’s books: “WHAT HAPPENED TO HELEN” & “REFLECTION: RULERS AND PREYS” Enough said. (Smiles).
An author has the ability to transport readers outside of their circumstances. To give them something bigger to dream about. To give them characters to identify with, characters that seem so lifelike and real, that you often think of them as real people. To create worlds that no one else would dream of.
-Author Ayodeji
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please ensure you do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
I, Obe Keno, am so happy to be welcoming YOU to Episode 7 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Miracle Emeka-Nkwor (popularly known as M.E.N), an Author who has a flair for writing mystery and crime fiction that keeps you hooked till the last word.
She is going to answer some very insightful questions about herself, her goals and growth as an Author in Nigeria for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) A warm welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Miracle, thank you for having this interview.
MsMiracle: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this lovely series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. If you’re reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Ms Miracle, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today….. Do you read a lot of books, if yes, do you believe that being an avid reader has contributed to you being a great writer?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I read a lot of books (when I have the time) and it has indeed contributed greatly to my writing. The beautiful thing about the world of writing is that there is no MASTER; everyone is constantly learning to be better in their craft and leveraging on the works of others is a great way to do that.
Keno: (nods) Great answer, I believe so too. Question 2, What do you like best about the process of writing a book?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) If I’m to be completely honest about what I like best, I’d say it’s the process of typing the amazing letters, T-H-E E-N-D!.
Keno: (laughs) I can just imagine how good that must feel. Question 3, What is your goal as an author?.
Ms Miracle: My goal as an author is to have a safe space where I can put out my work and have people truly appreciate my stories. Money, fame and success are on the list but having people who understand and appreciate my work tops it!.
Keno:(nods) Those are worthy goals. Question 4, Are you currently working on any new books?. And if you are, please give us a hint!. When can we expect it?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I am. It’s a young adult novel as well and it’s also set in the city of Port Harcourt. Lastly, it’s a muder mystery too! This is as far as I can tell. As for its expected date of release, I have nothing for you.
Keno: (laughs) Okayyyy. Thanks for the insider info. Question 5, What advice would you give to a writer working on their very first book?.
Ms Miracle: I’d say: BELIEVE in your work. You know how the spaghetti thinks it’s straight until it gets wet?. That’s how I want you to think about your work. Believe in that beautiful art that you’re creating. Yes, it may not be a masterpiece YET and a lot of people may not realize the awesomeness of your work, but trust that at the right time and with the right resources, you will SHINE.
Keno: (smiles) Hmmm… I felt that!. And I know someone reading this does too. Question 6, How do you select the names of your characters?.
Ms Miracle: (shrugs) I don’t have a basic rule per se. It’s not an intensive brain activity for me because the names come to me rather spontaneously.
Keno: (nods) Okay…. Question 7, What drove or inspired you to write your debut novel “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”?
Ms Miracle: Questions along this line always make me smile. I first wrote “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET OZOR” when I was 15 and my only driving force then, was writing a story with an ending that would be totally UNPREDICTABLE by my classmates back then in school (smiles). I honestly had no idea it would garner such a large audience today but I am grateful for its growth thus far❤️.
Keno: (smiles and nods) Wow, when you were 15!. That’s so impressive…. Question 8, What genre of fiction do you prefer to read and/or write?.
Ms Miracle: I have a flair for writing mystery and crime fiction. I have the same reading taste but lately, I have learnt to appreciate and read diverse genres and it’s been a rather rewarding experience, I must say.
Keno: (smiles) Nice to hear that you’re broadening the horizon when it comes to reading fiction…. Question 9, What is the message you want to pass to your readers through your book: “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) I believe people process things differently and that is something I have learnt to appreciate and fully understand. Based on the positions of various readers, they could all get DIFFERENT messages from “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”. A teenager reading it could justify his/her bouts of anger towards adults who “never listen”. Another teenager could read it and better understand the meaning of true friendship. A father/mother could see it as a reminder that cultivating healthy relationships with their children is indeed a worthy investment. The list is endless but I guess you get my point. If I start STATING the exact message I’m trying to pass, readers could get biased and struggle to read the story through my eyes.
Keno: (smiles and nods) Spoken like a truly wise author!……. Thank you, Ms Miracle for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Miracle: It was lovely to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our community: @taleofthebook on Instagram if you aren’t already a part!. And you might want to check out Ms Miracle’s book: “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”. Enough said. (Smiles).
Believe in that beautiful art that you’re creating. Yes, it may not be a masterpiece YET and a lot of people may not realize the awesomeness of your work, but trust that at the right time and with the right resources, you will SHINE.
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Please leave a comment below. And please copy the link and SHARE with others. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 7. You are such an AMAZING human!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
I, Obe Keno, am so elated to be welcoming YOU to Episode 5 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest, DRUMROLL PLEASE!……
A thriving Book Marketer/Seller and Bookstore owner,Ms Oluoha- Njionye Chinwendu Bella. And she is going to answer some pretty interesting questions about her personal life, growth and goals as a Book Marketer/Seller in Nigeria for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Bella, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Bella: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this stimulating series, I admire what you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. Readers, we really appreciate your support on the YAB Series!. Now, to kick things off Ms Bella, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today…..What made you decide that you wanted to work as a Book Marketer/Seller and start-up your bookstore: BellaBooks.
Ms Bella: (smiles) It’s almost funny really. I decided to start selling books because my friends would borrow my books without returning them or returning them in a not-so-good shape. So after many episodes like that, I decided to help them sort the book issue out by selling to them. I was also looking for a side hustle as a student back then. That was basically how I started!. I did not have any big plans or grand dreams for it but it was just God’s will, I suppose.
Keno: (nods) Wow….interesting story. I can imagine how you felt whenever they returned your books in bad shapes (laughs)……Okay, that brings me to Question 2, What do you like most about being a Book Marketer/Seller in Nigeria?.
Ms Bella: (smiles) What I like the most is that the Book Selling Industry is NOT competitive at all, in my opinion. Everyone complements each other. There is no bad energy.
Keno: That really sounds nice. Question 3, What do you like least about being a Book Marketer/Seller in Nigeria?.
Ms Bella: (shrugs) What I like least is Nigeria’s currency rate. Importing books is really expensive as our currency rate does not have much value. Then there’s also issues with shipping and Customs. To be honest, it is quite taxing. Sometimes customers do not understand all that’s involved in the process: buying books from abroad with our currency rate, the shipping rates etc. If our currency had higher value and shipping rates were fair then books would DEFINITELY be cheaper.
*Note: Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting tariffs and for controlling the flow of goods into and out of a country.
Keno:(nods) I can imagine…. that whole process must not be easy to handle. Which brings me to Question 4, Despite these struggles, how do you keep yourself motivated as a Book Marketer.
Ms Bella: (smiles) What keeps me motivated is the impact I am driving!. On days when I feel bad because of the challenges and all that, the fact that people reach out to me, and they express gratitude for the impact a book I recommended and sold to them had on their life. THE IMPACT!. Like when you start selling books, you at first do not really realize the impact a book you sell to someone could have on their lives!. An impact that possibly would have been lost if you were not in the business. That is what keeps me going on bad days. It is life transforming!.
Keno: Wow, I had never really thought of that. But then, I’m not a Book Marketer (laughs)…. that is really good, Ms Sandra. I’m glad the impact you’re making on lives by selling/recommending books keeps you motivated…..Question 5, As a thriving Book Marketer, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start selling books and to marketers in general?.
Ms Bella: Well I’d say, decide the kind of books you want to sell. Know that you CAN be successful as a Book Marketer/Seller. People, YES, NIGERIAN PEOPLE, read and buy books a lot. Take that from me. I know how many books I sell in a month!. Just gradually begin to build your tribe of people who love to read and who will love to buy books from you. Be consistent. It takes time you grow in any niche. I have been selling books for roughly 6 years now and some people see me and assume I started just yesterday. Stay consistent and you will grow with time. Also spend the money you get from selling books wisely. Pay yourself a salary and reinvest the rest!. That is how you can begin to build a large catalogue of books for your business.
Keno: (smiles) Wow, such great advice. I hope that helps someone reading this!. Question 7, Do you have a team that works with you, if yes, how do you help them work more effectively?.
Ms Bella: Yes, I have a team. How I help them work effectively; I have SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). I have templates where I answer FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding my Bookstore. I make myself accessible to them. I have been blessed with a good team, I pray before employing anyone. They sometimes make mistakes but they are amazing and they do their jobs really well. I mostly work with contract staff until we grow in capacity to employ more permanent staff.
*Note: A contract staff is a worker who has a temporary contract to do a particular piece of work, but is not an official employee of the company/business who they are working for.
Keno: (smiles) It sounds like you have a really smooth process for running your business. That’s great. Question 8, Which genre is the hardest to sell from your experience as a Book Seller in Nigeria?.
Ms Bella: The genre that is hardest to sell….. I think it depends on the tribe you build honestly. There is no particular genre that is hard to sell depending on your customer tribe. Some people are selling children’s books, some are selling novels, self help, thrifted books etc and they are THRIVING. So it is up to the Seller to choose a genre they feel they can build a good customer base around.
Keno: (nods) Okay….. that makes sense. Question 9, Which genre is the easiest to sell from your experience as a Book Marketer in Nigeria?.
Ms Bella: The genre that is easiest to sell…. from my experience I’d say it’s “Self-Help”. That is, books on Personal Development. Because you don’t sell “Self-Help” to just one set of customers, unlike selling a genre like Children’s Books, for example. Almost everyone wants to improve themselves, become better at something. Also, people can buy books on Personal Development to gift their family members, friends, loved ones, even employees!. It is easier to build a customer tribe around the “Self-Help” genre. I started with that and later included other genres.
Keno: (nods) Your theory really makes sense. I hope it will be helpful for someone reading this. And now the last question, What’re the benefits of your brand/business that you can 100% proudly boast of?. Like, why should someone interested in buying books should make a purchase from you?.
Ms Bella: (smiles big) Great question. The qualities of my business that I can proudly boast of include these: You get exactly what you order for. Yes, what you order is what you get!. We give money-back guarantee if for instance, you buy a book from us and somehow it’s damaged or in bad shape. You can trust us to take responsibility and give you a refund or replace the book. We give THE BEST book recommendations in town!. Like you can ask ANYBODY and they’ll tell you (laughs) if you have an area of interest and you don’t know the book to buy, we’re your people!. We will give you the best recommendations. Lastly, we sell books at affordable prices and every book order comes with FREEBIES!. You just need to experience life with BellaBooks, really!.
Keno: (smiles) Yes, we do!. And I personally can’t wait to do so…..Thank you, Ms Bella for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Bella: It was lovely to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram or email me: bellabooks.bookstore@gmail.com!.
Keno: Also, amazing readers, please follow our Instagram page @taleofthebook if you aren’t already doing so!.
You CAN be successful as a Book Marketer/Seller. People, YES, NIGERIAN PEOPLE, read and buy books a lot. Take that from me. I know how many books I sell in a month!.
-Book Marketer/Seller Bella
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed reading this or if you learnt something from the interview!. And please copy the link and SHARE with others. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 5. You are an AMAZING human!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
I, Obe Keno, am so stoked to welcome YOU to Episode 4 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest, (DRUMROLL PLEASE!) a spectacular Author,Ms Chuka-Manyike Sandra Chidinma. And she is going to answer some pretty interesting questions about her personal life, growth and goals as an Author for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Sandra, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Sandra: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this inspiring series, I admire what you’re doing on this blog and to everyone reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. Readers, your support on the YAB Series is a big part of WHY we keep going!. Now, let’s kick things off Ms Sandra, I’ll start by spilling the first question we have for you today…..What do you like best about writing a book?
Ms Sandra: What I like most about writing a book is the feeling that comes with it. Before I write a book, I try to live out each character’s life in my head. I enjoy that feeling of literally seeing life from my characters perspectives.
Keno: (nods) That’s interesting. Question 2, What would you say is your goal as an Author?.
Ms Sandra: (smiles) I like that question…..My goal as an Author is to create a solid foundation for young Authors in Nigeria, because truly writing is underrated. It’s difficult to get a stance as an author. I also want to change the notion that we ALL have to write African related books to get accepted in the literary world as writers.
Keno: (smiles) Wow, that is quite a goal. I really support the motion that we don’t all have to write African-themed book to be accepted as writers….. Question 3, As a young author in Nigeria what has been your greatest struggle?.
Ms Sandra: (shrugs) My greatest struggle as a writer is that I easily get unmotivated. If I’m not selling as much as I should or getting enough views, I stop doing anything for a while. But I’ve come to realise it’s not my fault and sometimes it is not really the marketing that is the problem. I think people don’t read much anymore to be honest. And the fact that we are supposed to follow a specific way so as to make sales just does not sit right with me.
Keno:(nods) I have to say, I like your honesty. Yes, being an Author and selling your books is definitely not easy, so I have to ask this….. Question 4, Despite the struggles you face as an Author, why do you keep on writing?.
Ms Sandra: (smiles) I keep writing because I BELIEVE it is what I was made for. There are voices in my head that guide me and even when I try to ignore them, I find myself writing every single thing I hear (*inserts laughing emoji) and it suddenly becomes a story. So I feel like I always have a story to tell.
Keno: Wow, that is interesting. I like that you believe in what you do despite the struggles. Question 5, What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?.
Ms Sandra: My advice?. Just start writing, no matter how stupid or out of place you think what you have sounds, write it down. Do not listen to anyone that wants your work to fit “perfectly” into a particular genre, after all, all genres were created by someone, So why can’t you create yours?. Keep your head straight and do what makes you happy, because writing is truly beautiful especially when it comes from within and not when you tailor it to fit in.
Keno: (smiles) Hmmm… that is deep. I love it!. Question 6, What drove or inspired you to write your book “MAFIA PRINCESS”?.
Ms Sandra: That is something I really can’t remember, because “MAFIA PRINCESS” is a modified version of a book I wrote when I was 14. I found the piece during the covid-19 pandemic, so I can say that the old piece was the inspiration for the present one. But for the original copy, I can’t remember what inspired it.
Keno: (smiles) Okay. Question 7, What is the major lesson you want to pass to your readers through your book, “MAFIA PRINCESS”?.
Ms Sandra: The major lesson I want to pass through is that: “Evil prevails over good only for a short while”, if you go through my book you’d see that the main character Mia, suffered a lot, from the house slaughter which claimed her parents’ lives, to trying to find a voice for herself and all that. At the end she did find her voice, the villains got exactly what they deserved. So in one sentence, I tried to pass the message that it pays to be good and evil really gets you no where.
Keno: (nods) That sounds like an interesting piece of art!…… Question 8, What do you feel is the best way to market books as an author?.
Ms Sandra: Sincerely, I am not so sure.Amazon kdp is great. And then there’s Starxbud.com, they have a place where writers can put up their book and make sales. It is quite user-friendly.
Keno: (smiles and nods) Okay!. It was wonderful having you with us, Ms Sandra. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Sandra: It was lovely to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram and Twitter.
Keno: Also, amazing readers, please follow our Instagram page @taleofthebook if you aren’t already doing so!.
Check out Ms Sandra’s book “MAFIA PRINCESS” You might be interested in adding it to your To Be Read List!.📚
Do what makes you happy, because writing is truly beautiful especially when it comes from within and not when you tailor it to fit in.
-Author Sandra
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed reading this or if you learnt something from the interview!. And please SHARE with others. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 4. You are AMAZING!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
I, Obe Keno, am so glad to welcome YOU to Episode 3 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest, (DRUMROLL PLEASE!) a very passionate Book Influencer/Publicist,Mr Uchenna Nnabugwu. And he is going to answer some pretty interesting questions for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Mr Uchenna, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Uchenna: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog and to everyone reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. Dear YOU reading this, your support on the YAB Series is a big part of WHY we keep going!. Now, to kick things off Mr Uchenna, I’ll start by spilling the first question we have for you today….. How did you get started with book influencing, what led to it?.
Mr Uchenna: I’ve always been a lover of books since my Primary School days. I just read what I could lay my hands on back then, without thinking too much about the genre. Then in Dec 2019, I decided to take it to Instagram after discovering the Bookstagram community.
(*For those who’re unaware, Bookstagram is Instagram’s book lovers’ community where you just can’t share “too much” about books and you get to interact with other book lovers!.)
Keno: (nods) Interesting. The good old Primary School days lol!. Question 2, What does a typical day in your week as a Book Publicist look like?.
Mr Uchenna: (smiles) Well, a typical day in my week involves dealing with chores first because I live with my parents, and I’m the only child available. Then I do some reading. If I have content to create that day, I’d think of the type of content (concept), do my audio research, write out my ideas for the content, get my outfits ready if I have to change clothes, set my shooting equipment, my mirror which I use in viewing myself as I shoot most of the content myself. When all set, I go-ahead to shoot my content which sometimes can take up to 2 hours, depending on the content type (like if it involves a lot more transition). Then I edit my videos, write out the caption and finally the posting happens.
Keno: (shakes head in awe) Wow….. That is a lot. I mean, we see an interesting post on IG and don’t really think of the work that goes into creating it. Content creating is definitely not a piece of pie in any niche but judging from your Instagram posts you’re really killing it!. Which brings me to Question 3, What advice would you give to a Book Influencer/Publicist who’s just starting out?.
Mr Uchenna: (smiles) My advice would go like this: Be authentic. Do you. Don’t be afraid to show your true self as that would also contribute to you standing out from the crowd. Also, don’t feel pressured to read ALL the books you see on bookstagram and define what “consistency” is for you.
Keno:(smiles and nods) That is such a good advice, Mr Uchenna. Question 4, What are your favorite tools for creating bookish content for social media?.
Mr Uchenna: They’re just four: my phone, my tripod, LED light and of course, the books!.
Keno: (smiles) Okay!. Question 5, What has been your greatest struggle as a book influencer/publicist in Nigeria?.
Mr Uchenna: My greatest struggle is getting access to books. And for creating content, NEPA is the struggle!. (*inserts crying emoji)
Keno: (laughs) We all can relate to the NEPA struggles in Nigeria!. It really terrible….. this brings me to Question 6, What keeps you going? Why haven’t you thrown in the towel despite these struggles?.
Mr Uchenna: (smiles) What has kept me going is simple: I love what I do. This is why I tell people that when choosing a niche, you should go with something you are most interested in, something you would not easily get tired of.
(*niche: a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment)
Keno: True and important words. “Do what you love”. Question 7, What do you believe is the #1 key to succeeding as a book influencer?
Mr Uchenna: I believe the most important thing is this: Be your true self and put in the work!.
Keno: (nods) Great answer!. Question 8, Which person or people have most accelerated your growth?
Mr Uchenna: Every reader I’ve connected with on the Bookstagram space has contributed to my growth. From @lipglossmaffia who recommended books and gave me some tips, to the many other readers I continue to meet along the way.
Keno: (smiles) The Bookstagram space is really quite supportive—bound by our love for books. Question 9, What is most rewarding for you about book influencing and what are your top 3 goals as a Book Influencer?.
Mr Uchenna: (smiles) Honestly, I’d say it’s rewarding being able to read more books and some of them become my favorites. And my top 3 goals as a Book Influencer are: 1-Promoting the reading culture. 2-Sometimes I try to pass the message that “Reading is not boring and can be fun” through my content. 3-Recommending books that deserve to be read by more people.
Keno: (nods) Those are worthy goals!. Question 10, What genre of books do you enjoy reading/publicizing?.
Mr Uchenna: I enjoy reading and publicizing books by Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC).
Keno: (nods slowly) Okay. That is interesting….. Question 11, How do you measure success as a book influencer?.
Mr Uchenna: Success is something personal and how we measure or define it is up to each individual. As for me, I measure success through my reading growth, consistency and how well I passed the message about a book through my content.
Keno: (smiles) That sounds good….. Question 12, What can you 100% proudly boast of when it comes to your brand i.e the way you publicize books?.
Mr Uchenna: That’ll be this— I always come through with my content!.
Keno: (smiles and nods) And you came through with this interview!….It was really delightful having you with us, Mr Uchenna. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Uchenna: It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram and YouTube.
Keno: Also, amazing readers, please follow our Instagram page @taleofthebook if you aren’t already doing so!.
Be your true self and put in the work!.
-Book Publicist Uchenna.
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed reading this or if you learnt something from the interview! And please SHARE with others. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 3. You are AMAZING!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
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A warm welcome to you. Today, I will be introducing a new part of the TOTB blog. I hope that you’ll love it as much as I do.
Please follow me, I will let the cat out of the bag in a minute. But before I do that, let me start by saying this:
I think the Book industry is quite under-hyped in Nigeria. I mean compared to other industries in entertainment/education like the Music industry, Television industry etc…..
As you probably already know, I love books. I cannot count the many wonderful ways books have helped make me a better person.
So of course, I want to be one of the people who publicize and popularize the Book industry in Nigeria and I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to do that on this blog.
Stay with me, I decided there is no better way to do that, than by bringing YOU, my amazing blog audience into the lives of the PEOPLE that make up the book industry.
Yes, I am talking about the Authors, the Publishers, the Book Marketers, the Book Designers, the Book Editors, the Book Bloggers/Reviewers/Promoters and even the Readers, the Book Lovers!.
So I introduce to you today, DRUMROLLLL🥁…
The “YOUNG AND BOOKED” series. Through this series on my blog, I will bring this delightful concept to life, with God’s and your help. Join me on this exciting ride.
By all means, feel free to reach out to me if YOU OR ANYONE that you know are in any category listed above and would be interested in being a participant!.
Episode 1 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series will be LIVE on the blog on Tuesday, the 19th of April. We will be having a very PHENOMENAL Author as our first ever guest/interviewee on this series!.
Follow @taleofthebook on Instagram to know who this special Author is before everyone else does on Tuesday!.
The “Booked” in Young and Booked simply means a person who works in the Book Industry and/or is a book lover!.
See more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED series or reach me here…..Let us, together, bring out the beauty of the Book Industry!.
*Please help me out by sharing this blog post!.
Even if you are not a fan of books in general, you never can tell…. someone you know might just be VERY INTERESTED in this. Why don’t you help they and I out?.
Sending you love as you do ♥️🎊
Yours truly,
Keno✍️.
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
Before reading “We Should All Be Feminists”, I had never really given much thought to actively supporting feminism or being a feminist although I agreed with and acknowledged the usefulness of some of its theories that I had heard of.
According to Wikipedia. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?.
Like any other human organization, I believe the Feminist Movement has made its own share of mistakes like taking things too far/discriminating against males.
My closest male friend told me how he got a wrong idea about feminism from his female lecturer (supposedly a feminist).
In his words “she didn’t like guys at all, including the male lecturers”. She made a habit of putting her male students down while favoring the females in the name of feminism. This kind of behavior only adds to the problem.
However, feminism has also done much over the years to right the wrongs when it comes to gender discrimination and it is a worthwhile cause.
From Britain Suffragettes in the early 1900s (fighting for Women’s right to vote) to today’s Feminists, this is a fight that has lasted over a century.
I read two historical fiction books recently… one was set in the 1800s, the other in the 1900s and the discrimination against females was glaringly clear.
How is it that centuries later although much better than it was years ago, this problem persists?.
In Nigeria today, many females in high positions in the society are suspected to have “slept their way up the ladder of success”. Some females with excellent degrees face the same suppositions. While their male counterparts are seen to be hardworking, smart and capable of their achievements.
Very ambitious females who are uninterested in marriage are seen as unusual or even to be (to put it bluntly), “wasting their time”. Rich and successful ones are seen as intimidating and some still believe a woman’s sole purpose is home-making and childbearing.
And these are just a few of the many limiting/stifling mentalities that a lot of people (both males & females) in Nigeria have.
Not all men/women discriminate against females and sometimes it is done unconsciously; out of ignorance. This is why any medium that creates awareness on the subject should always be welcome.
“WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS” is one of such mediums. A call to wake up from our ignorance and treat both genders as equally as possible. The author also talks about how both genders are raised and the importance of unlearning some things we have accepted as normal.
This book is a worthwhile peek into some discriminations against females and even into some draining expectations placed on males in Nigeria. It also touches other parts of the world briefly. And I am glad I read it because it opened my eyes to quite a lot.
As a Christian, I believe we live in a fallen world and gender discrimination is one of the many products of that. And that feminism/being feminists cannot solve all the gender discrimination issues in the world. I believe the solution is found in Christ only.
Having said that, and maybe even BECAUSE of that, I believe we (BOTH males and females) can do our best not to be part of the problem, but to be part of the solution.
Lastly, in our bid to be part of the solution, we can also do our best not to ADD to it by taking things too far or discriminating against males.
Do you agree with this post?. Have you read this book?. Did you enjoy it?. What are your thoughts and/or experiences regarding feminism?. . If you haven’t read it does this ‘tale of the book’ make you want to?. Please feel free to share with us in the comment section. I’m looking forward to it!.
Yours truly,
Keno✍️.
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The obvious answer to that is because I love books and sharing the love seemed like a good idea of course, but I’ll go a little bit in depth into why I’m book blogging over here. So grab some popcorn I guess!.
I vividly remember when I became fully enraptured by books. Of course it did not happen in a day, but this was the highlight of the beginning.So there I was, a kid in primary school and it was a holiday. I was having a particularly boring day so when a relative of ours that came by dropped off some storybooks for I and my sister, I desperately hoped they’d entertain us.
And entertain us they did!. What got me interested at first was the book’s cover design. It told a story on its own (quick shout out to book cover designers!). I cannot remember what the title of the book was but I have a vague recollection of what it was about. It was by a Nigerian Author. Something along the lines of a diligent young girl being forced by her parents to marry a rich old man in order to save them all from the ruins of poverty.
Popular theme in Nigerian storybooks (AND movies) IYKYK!. I remember becoming slowly hooked by the plot.It was almost magical. I mean in reality, I was here; sprawled out on a chair, flipping through a book. But then I was also there; caught up in the world the author had created just with words (Eureka moment 1!).
It went downhill (or should I say uphill?) from there.I wanted to read ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. I read my school required literature along with my sister’s, short stories in English and Literature textbooks, library books, and I still wanted MORE!. I’d read all day and then through the night sometimes.
I may have tried once (or five times, who was counting you know?) to work my own magic, that is, to create my own book. I haven’t completed any though. I still dream of being a successful Author someday.
One day in March, I was thinking about the things I’m passionate about and how to use my skills. Books of course came to mind (Eureka moment 2!). And after doing some research I decided it’s a very good idea to use and hone both my reading/writing skills by blogging about books!
And THAT is exactly why I’ve created and now welcome you to my book blog “Tale of the Book” where I will share exciting reviews of books I read!. Along with other book-loving related themes.
Curious about my blog name?. I named it that way because I intend to make my reviews as captivating as a good book. Hopefully, you’ll see them as a form of written magic that way!.
Can you relate to this?. Have you ever had an Eureka moment?.When you FOUND something worth investing your time and energy in? It doesn’t have to be books. Whatever it may be, why don’t you share it with us in the comment section?. (You can also share a link for us to access your passion!.)
Yours Truly,
Keno✍️ .
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
Some of us like to feel things deeply. We enjoy deep and meaningful experiences and this also applies to our preferences in books! If this is you, then this episode is for you!
(It is basically a series in which I’ll be saving you the stress of going through the heaps of books you’ll find on the internet by giving you book recommendations on a specific need or desire you have, such as you’re interested in learning more about the Nigerian colonialism, or you’re a fan of Mystery novels!…)
This episode is on what you can read if you’re a fan of Tearjerkers! (Books that can make you sad or even let out some tears)
Here are my top 3 book recommendations for you.
You can find out what they are if you watch this video on INSTAGRAM or on TIKTOK! These are top-notch book recommendations so you better not miss watching this!
After you watch, let me know if you would read any of those books in the comments!
Tale of the Book 