Hello, Has writing a book about your journey through life (an autobiography) or the business world crossed your mind but you cannot find the right words or the time to dedicate to writing? My name is Uzezi and I love to write and put life into the words of others, as I express their thoughts and ideas in their voice . Get Editing and Publishing Services Here Get One-On-One guidance to Write Your Book yourself in 30 Days Here Get Book Designers, Graphics Work, Illustrators Here Print Your Book Here Beyond the words of my clients, I research other details related to them or their work and if necessary, add such to enrich whatever work I have been commissioned to do. I would love to offer my services to you as a ghostwriter... Telling your experience in the industry you find yourself and all that you have learnt; the dos and the don’ts or a ‘How To’ book Challenging life events Addressing whatever misconceptions people have about you And others… Book a consultation
If you are wondering why you haven’t heard of Obeleville town before, it
is because it is so tiny, no one has thought to put it on the map. Yet.
Kate Iffy Chukwu is your child’s best friend because she keeps them
entertained with beautifully written stories. She talks to UZEZI ADESITE about
her new book, ‘My Name is Kosi Kamsi’, which is set in the tiny town of
Obeleville, located on the African West Coast. In this interesting town, we
meet a regular child who dreams big.
So, let’s know more about this book. Excerpts:
Congratulations on your new book, My
Name is Kosi Kamsi. What is it about?
Thank you so much. My Name is Kosi Kamsi is a compilation of eight warm
stories for children from 6 years old and above. It tells the story of
seven-year-old Kosi Kamsi, who wants to be a president when he grows up. His experiences
in school and at home give him some ideas of what he would like to change when
he becomes the president - this includes not doing any homework! In this book,
which is the first in the series, Kosi Kamsi wants to save the world. He wishes
he had a dog. He practices bravery when he finds out that he is the only boy at
Cooking Club. He chases a fat stinky goat. He learns about Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kosi Kamsi is the everyday child with
a big dream.
Can you tell us what inspired this
story?
When I was younger, I read varieties of books. Now, I love reading books
with African themes. However, in recent times, children’s picture and chapter
books written by Nigerian or African authors are still few. I had read Ifeoma
Onyefulu’s picture books, Atinuke’s Anna Hibiscus and No 1 Car Spotter, I
didn’t see more. Maybe there are, but it’s a rare find. That gap gave birth to
my first idea.
Then, my first book was a retelling of Tortoise folktales titled A Week
of Tortoise Tales. I wanted my next book
to be about human characters children could relate to. Another idea was born.
Another great inspiration came from my children and their cousins. Every
child is different. After hearing dialogues during family gatherings, I
pictured a book about a family full of opposites. I wanted the family to live
in a fictitious town in Africa, so that children all over the world can learn a
thing or two about Africa and some of its cultures. Not the Africa badly
painted by the media sometimes.
How long did it take you to complete
it?
It took me about a year to complete the writing process (the publishing
aspect was a different ball game). I wanted my characters to interest my
readers, so I kept on writing and re-writing and refining my characters and
their environment. Thank God for computers. If I had used a typewriter, I would
probably have given up!
Writing for children is considered
difficult. Why did you go for children category?
During my Masters in Creative Writing, I started out writing women’s
fiction and short stories. I did not go to children’s category. I think it came
to me. Looking back, it could possibly be because I had children who I loved
taking to different libraries and bookshops. I also read with them books they
brought back from school. We read together. We discussed the stories. Probably
I was drawn to children’s writing because I had read lots of children’s books. Children’s
writing is different because in order to write a good child-friendly story, you
have to “become” the child. Think like them. Reason like them. Talk like them. Enter
their world. Otherwise, the story or dialogue loses the intended tone and feel.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first children’s book, A Week of Tortoise Tales in 2013.
Prior to that, I wrote short plays and short stories for competitions. However,
my first published work was in 2007, where I wrote a couple of non-fiction
articles online for Nigerian Village Square.
Are you a full time writer?
No, I’m not a full time writer. However, I always have something to
write!
Can you tell us about your other
work/s?
I do African storytelling workshops here in the UK. I have a weekly
Storytime channel on YouTube. I create online courses for parents, teachers and
Sunday school teachers in storytelling, story writing and drama.
How has the reception for My Name is
Kosi Kamsi been?
It has been amazing! The feedback I am getting from children are just
awesome. These are some of them…
“Made me giggle a lot.” “ Kosi
Kamsi’s dad loved fish and avocado smoothie! Who actually drinks that in real
life?” “I like Kosi Kamsi for dreaming big.”
Recently, a child asked if I would do a TV show of My Name is Kosi Kamsi
because the book was so interesting!
I wrote a message on the last page of the book for readers to leave a
review. So please leave a review on Amazon!
What marketing plans are you using to
reach your target? Is there a book tour coming?
As a children’s book author, I know I have to target both the children
who will read the book and their parents/carers who will buy the book. Therefore,
it is a tougher plan.
Social media has been a powerful tool. I had a book launch team at first
on Facebook, which helped spread the word when the book first came out. And
that’s how I met you! (smiles). Social media will be key.
My offline school book tours will be after the Christmas, where I’ll do
workshops and have Q&A sessions with students and parents. I have some
education industry events booked as well. Word of mouth cannot be
underestimated! 35 copies have been sold in Lagos through word of mouth!
Are you working with schools to see
that this book is adopted into their list of literature books?
Absolutely. My first move was to get as much copies into Nigeria.
Currently copies are in Lagos and Abuja. I have contacted schools. My next move
is to go to these schools. It would be lovely for schools to have it on their
list. My Name is Kosi Kamsi is educative, informative, entertaining and an
excellent book for any child who wants to just read for pleasure or build up
their reading confidence.
How would you describe the writing
industry in Nigeria, especially the children category?
The writing industry has evolved. When I did my Creative Writing in
2013, I used Eghosa Imasuen as my case study on the problems of publishing in
Nigeria. It was tough for writers to get their work published. However, with
more and more people writing publishable work now, publishers like Farafina, Cassava
Republic and Lantern are getting more writers on their list.
It is still challenging, but with online publishing arms like Amazon,
Smashwords, more people have hope that their writing will be published.
Within the children’s category, honestly- I would love to see more.
What can be done to help our children
know more about our history?
Museums help people to know more about history. A museum is designed to
inform and teach. Children will be happy to learn our history in such an
inviting place. Mind you, a museum visit is not only for academic learning, it
opens the door for more curiosity. Children will ask questions. They will
think. They will imagine. They will have ideas. They will re-tell the stories
of what they have heard. It is that type of learning that children rarely
forget.
If we had more museums where schools took their students on educational
trip or parents took their children during the weekends, children will be
happier to learn better or be more curious about the topic than sitting in the
classroom, just staring at a teacher teach.
Another way for children to know more about our history is to give them easy-
to- read books about our history. History does not have to be all gloomy and
frightful like the wars in Queen Amina’s time or Usman Dan Fadio. Now even if
the story is about a certain war, it should be written in a child-friendly way.
There has been amazing times in our history. There have been great
people who did great things. Great events. Nigerians doing amazing sports.
Nigerians been awarded for their achievements (both young and old, home and in
the diaspora). These should be documented and schools should have these in
their reading rooms or libraries.
If you were in government, what would
you do differently to promote the arts?
The importance of book -filled libraries cannot be over-emphasised.
Every town (big or small) should have access to libraries where children and
their families can have free membership and access to borrow books. Only if
they fail to return it or return it in a very bad shape can they then be
charged for it. These libraries should also have a few computers where people
can use them as a library catalogue, or children can use them for their homework.
I totally love the idea of having good museums. There are different
types. Museums are for everyone. If I
was in the government, there would be book museums, where anyone can read about
authors and see samples on display. There should be free books, art and craft events
that promote art and culture. These will inspire young people to be creative,
dream big and develop special skills.
Are you currently working on a new
book? If yes, when should we expect it?
Yes, I am currently working on Series 2 of My Name is Kosi Kamsi. To be
released middle of 2018. By God’s grace.
What Nigerian writer did you last
read, and which are you currently reading?
I re-read a novel by Lola Shoneyin, Baba Segi’s wives. I am currently
reading Amaka Azie’s Melodies of Love.
I am yet to read children’s chapter books by Nigerian authors. The
children’s books I read a while ago were Atinuke’s Anna Hibiscus and The No 1
Car Spotter. She is a Nigerian living in the UK. I would love to read more
literature from Nigerian children writers. And I don’t mean the little
pamphlets about a young child having to fetch water, cut firewood, and look
after his entire family before going to school...if at all he goes!