There are very few tragedies for an author than self publishing. The responsibility of not only sharpening your creative writing skills but also whetting your business acumen is frustrating to say the least.
But I was in dare situation. I wanted my work published; it was a vain decision that I wouldn’t even let anyone talk me out of.
For some reason, I did not bother with publishers in Nigeria. My experience as a writer, editor, columnist has taught me a few things, and I am of the knowing that publishers in Nigeria lack the necessary accessories of fine packaging, presentation, and publicity; unless of course you come with some form of endorsement from a foreign agent. Pity!
If I took the chance, I would have to wait and hope on someone else; that someone, I am totally convinced, would not have the all-consuming passion to see my work progress beyond the dusty shelves of bookstores like I would.
And yes, for my first work, I did not even involve book stores!
The heights of my insanity! I am aware I am not completely sane. My stubbornness led me towards Eko Dialoguing. Lol!
But truthfully, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Not with my first, and not with the tirade of dissatisfaction fellow authors spat once we got talking about their publishers.
It was July 2008, another year was coming to an end. I was working in the craziest environment with bad-bellies and self-pretentious individuals lacking in any proper managerial skills; unwilling to rise, lest by chance another is lifted. How I managed that year without killing somebody remains a mystery. At the tail end, I thought I had to do something. And that something took me 6 weeks to put together.
I hated it, until I was bold enough to show it to someone other than my immediate pals. He didn’t give it the Caine prize score, but he was certain ‘Lagosians’ would find it interesting.
That someone was Jude Dibia; another self published author whose works – ‘Walking with shadows’ and ‘Unbridled’ turned out my best reads in 2007 and 2008.
If you would allow me advise you, do not go the self-publishing way, unless you are ready to give up everything – your sanity, home, and cash! With no guarantee you’d be reimbursed in this life time.
I made the decision of printing only a few copies. Just so I continued fooling myself that I was making progress. And as the copies reduced, I held my own little party on FB and with real friends!
It was small success, but it was my success.
So, because of that crazy decision I made last year, I have had a couple of thousands added back to the pouch where it initially came out from. Had some wonderful and not-so-wonderful reviews with the most annoying typos, subtle disrespect and lacking in finesse!
And the most gracious of all would be the 9 writer 4 cities tour hosted by Igoni Barrett. I had felt truly honoured. And yes! the incredible performance of Eko Dialogue by Segun Adefila and the Crown Troupe. If that was all I had to take with me as a self-publisher (regarding my first work), it was enough…
The entire process could read like another story…
After I get my writing done, I print the manuscript, and then let someone take a look at it. I call on the printer and get the costing with a loud, ‘Ah! Ah!! This thing is too expensive nah!’
And him claiming, ‘It’s good quality madam.’
‘But, it’s way out of my estimation,’ I retort.
‘Madam please don’t go to mushin oh, try and squeeze the money out. It should make you proud to see your work looking crisp and of international standard.’
Er, I am not sure of the ‘international standard’, but I was convinced.
Then the front cover, an artiste did something horrendous, so I had to get it from online, I sent a mail to the ‘owner’ and asked if I could use it…
Then the process of printing and getting my ISBN at yaba.
The grind continues. With stacks of book in my room, I had to think of something. I hired fulltime sales personnel, got my blogger friends and online peeps to talk about it, while my media pals did reviews on it.
I am working on my next book; the uncut excerpts will be posted here and there and everywhere before it comes out in August. You know me, I’m always in-your-face. Lol!
I am still at sea as to what I should do. Self publish again? Or try out a publisher in Nigeria, hmmm!
But no matter what you do as a budding writer, do not tread my path, unless you are just as mad.
There’s no way I’ll be sitting down sulking on countless rejections until 2030 when some bespectacled gentleman thinks me worthy. What the hell, I’ll publish until I can get some deferential arrangement with a befitting publisher. Don’t laugh, dreams come true!
Nonetheless, I’ll advice you stick with Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani's instructions here.
Yours writefully!
Isi
