New Dawn For Nigerian Publishers, Authors

As Nigerian literary writers and publishers become more confident, the literary landscape is moving its attention away from the west. The literary landscape in Nigeria is changing the conversation about Nigerian writing and more widely African writing is taking place in the continent without affirmation from the west.
       A series of readings, launches and festival held in Nigeria over the past years have generated much debate and excitement. The Make festival held in Abeokuta in the last 10 years drew celebrated novelists like Taiye Selasi and Helon Habila as well as celebrated poet, Niyi Osundare to converse in Nigeria itself.
        There is also an increased confidence among publishers. Rather than feeling the need to explain or mediate writing for the west, African publishers are seeking to reflect the authentic voice of the continent of Africa.
       Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s debut novel “Season of Crimson Blossoms” is peppered with Hausa, Eghosa Imasuen’s ‘Fine Boys’ has smatterings of pidgin throughout. Working with a publisher based in the country allows for a greater level of cultural understanding that is often much harder to achieve with an overseas publishing house.
       Author Elnathan John example of working with an African editor who asked him what a ‘go slow’ was, every Nigerian knows the answer, it means a hold up or traffic Jam. He says I use go slow as an English word with apologies.
       Lagos based publisher and author Eghosa Imasuen objects to the way in which Nigerian English has been represented on the page as he prayed explains in the documentary, the Italicisation of words can be quite political, Egusi would be italicised, but not the French word escargot.
      He also objects to how things are explained unnecessarily for international audiences for example if you write, He dipped his hand into the EBA, a phrase would follow to explain that EBA is that yellow globul or mashed potato clone made from cassava chippings when he talks about this, his frustration is evident.
      Cassava Republic press is one example of a publishing house that is breaking the mould. In a reversal from the traditional model, cassava now firmly establish a base in London from which to publish and distribute African authors.
       Publisher Bibi Bakarr Yusuf plans to bring Nigerian writing to the UK, strengthening the bonds between the two publishing landscapes, but without taken away the autonomy of Nigerian writers and publishers. A lack of distribution networks, myriad Logistical challenges such as customs charges, poor road networks and the cost of transportation have until now prevented printed books from being more widely distributed out of Nigeria, establishing a base in London will open up possibilities of distributing more titles more widely, including to East and Southern Africa.
        Digital developments are also changing the landscape. Online literary magazines and Jalada are bridging the void left by physical distribution challenges. Their content such as Jalada’s 2014 sex anthology showcases confident African writing that needs no affirmation by the west.
        Ankara press offers inspiring and entertaining stories by and for Africans published in Nigeria, but available from anywhere on the globe. It is obvious that Nigerian literary landscape is changing the challenge to the keep the flag flying.

By: Jacob Obinna