I've just completed a novel called The Aireginan Dream. It's about a fictional African country which has similar challenges to the ones we have, and how they were able to start the process of change.

I'll like to have comments from anyone who has read it. There's a sample chapter on my website.

Here's a direct link to the first chapter of your story:
http://www.dupeolorunjo.com/downloads/dream_Chapter_1.pdf

Wow, the name of that country is long and hard to remember, but I love your website.

(I'm yet to read the story beyond the first paragraph but I'm sure it's good)

newera:

I've just completed a novel called The Aireginan Dream. It's about a fictional African country which has similar challenges to the ones we have, and how they were able to start the process of change.

I'll like to have comments from anyone who has read it. There's a sample chapter on my website.

I have taken time to read your prose and if what I have read so far is the same with the following chapters of your novel, then you have a well written narrative to be proud of.

My best recommendation is that you should submit the first three chapters for the Caine Prize. Because, if you get shortlisted, your genius would be discovered by the reputable publishers who discovered Ben Okri and Helon Habila.

Two words to describe your prose.
lucid and vivid.

Well done and God bless.

the content of your novel is uncomfortable reality rather than fiction. your description is great. after reading the little on your website, i would say this story should get the highest rating 4 out of 4 or 100%.

Newera,


very good opening chapter.
It sounds so much like Nigeria.

keep up the good work.

that's a compelling story.u r really good.big ups to you

Seun,
The name of the country is Nigeria spelt backwards (nigeria-Airegin).
Good work!

"Nigerian" would have been better. An difficult title makes a book harder to sell. That's a fact.

Unless the book is full of allegations against dangerous politicians or religions, "Nigerian" is better.

I prefer the title she used. It adds to the buzz of the novel and leaves people saying-what she is describing in this novel is just like whats happening in Nigeria, rather than her taking the feeling out by using plain 'Nigerian' .
I stand to be corrected.

Ok, I guess you may be right. As long as I can cut and paste the name electronically, it's ok!

Even if we can't remember the name of the book, we can remember the name of the author.

I must confess this author is going places, WoW, her descriptive ability is superb (and the use of commas too). I like it - Keep it up, I hope 2 be @ d launching (plus d lunching) - he he.

Thank God I've gone back to my reading habits, I could never write such a comprehensive essay in decades!

I should rate it 5 of 4.

I must say thanks, to all who have taken time to read the sample chapter. (I believe that if you take the time to write and someone graciously takes the time to read, then you should be appreciative.)

Orikinla - Thanks for taking the extra step of offering some tips that could be useful to me from your experience. i have noted all of them and will implement immediately.

Seun - On the choice of the title. I had a hard time taking this decision. One of my options actually threw up about 5 different titles when i tried to screen it through Amazon. I did think of The Nigerian Dream but discarded that for a number of reasons - 1) It sounded quite ordinary 2) This is my dream for Nigeria. But it's not good enough if i dream alone. I felt that what would take us to the promised land is a collective vision. 3) I needed a name that will spark some curiousity and make a prosective reader pick up the book from a crowd of possibly a thousand other titles in a bookshop, and hold it a little bit longer. 4) You may not be able to pronouce it properly at the first attempt, but i promise, the names grows on you - I've seen that happen already.

And there is a moment when you feel you have conquered. Just like Loma who was able to decode the origin of the name.

Seun, It's great when a man does something new. You have done a great job here. Nigeria is blessed with great talent. I pray many more of us will actually find a way to put it to use to make a difference.

I have read the Aireginan dream and it was truly worth my time. It’s a book that will keep you reading through the pages till you get to the last page.
Beyond this, it’s a book that can birth in you a vision for a new nation, a new project of a forgotten dream.

I think I want to buy the novel. Maybe one day we will be talking about movie rights. Proud of ya.

I have not read the novel and may not still but judging from the encomiums from respectable members of this forum, i can rightly guess the content is good, kudos then and keep it up

Good job! i cant wait to read the novel!With talents like you we will soon have people to replace Prof.Wole Soyinka!
more grease

Nice piece lady. is there a way to get the full story?.
Please, intimate me.

Nice work! I agree that you should enter for awards that will clearly provide the acclaim that this novel deserves.
I have read, and enjoyed "Purple Hibiscus" - by Chiamanda Ngozi Adichie who won the Orange Prize award, and others, this Aireginan Dream makes Purple Hibiscus pale in comparison.

I give books to all my friends for christmas, and this is definitely my pick for this year. Thank you!! - I look forward to more. The sampling was a mind-stimulating delight - and uses a refreshing approach to known problems too! Cool. Glad we can also purchase it easily online. - smart woman. Once ordered 5 books from a publisher in Naija who said it would cost $138 to ship what cost me $35 to buy. Ridiculous!

I see that it's available on Barnes and Nobles, as well as Amazon. Nice! Just curious about who your publishers are here. Did you make a change, and if so was there any push to change the cover? Just curious. I noticed a couple novels from Africa seem to change publishers in international markets - and typically, it seems like the design of the cover typically change too. I like both covers - the one you have on your site, and the one on Barnes and Noble but I'd like to get your insights.

LASTLY (Promise)
Not sure how to get to Oprahs book Club list, or the NY Times bestsellers list but you may want to scour the web on how. If you make it there you will be so golden (you already are - but you know what I mean(?). I keep up with O's list via a book club and I am comfortable that your novel (thus far) will unabashedly feel at home on the list.

Good luck, and God bless!

i hate reading

Where can i get this book? (it had better be worth the while o!)

Mystique:

Where can i get this book? (it had better be worth the while o!)

It's available at Glendora Falomo; Numetro @ Silverbird Galleria (Victoria Island); and a few other bookshops in Lagos listed on my website. It is also available on line at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tesco etc.

I too hope you have an enjoyable read

Rubbermaid:

Nice work! I agree that you should enter for awards that will clearly provide the acclaim that this novel deserves.
I have read, and enjoyed "Purple Hibiscus" - by Chiamanda Ngozi Adichie who won the Orange Prize award, and others, this Aireginan Dream makes Purple Hibiscus pale in comparison.

I give books to all my friends for christmas, and this is definitely my pick for this year. Thank you!! - I look forward to more. The sampling was a mind-stimulating delight - and uses a refreshing approach to known problems too! Cool. Glad we can also purchase it easily online. - smart woman. Once ordered 5 books from a publisher in Naija who said it would cost $138 to ship what cost me $35 to buy. Ridiculous!

I see that it's available on Barnes and Nobles, as well as Amazon. Nice! Just curious about who your publishers are here. Did you make a change, and if so was there any push to change the cover? Just curious. I noticed a couple novels from Africa seem to change publishers in international markets - and typically, it seems like the design of the cover typically change too. I like both covers - the one you have on your site, and the one on Barnes and Noble but I'd like to get your insights.

LASTLY (Promise)
Not sure how to get to Oprahs book Club list, or the NY Times bestsellers list but you may want to scour the web on how. If you make it there you will be so golden (you already are - but you know what I mean(?). I keep up with O's list via a book club and I am comfortable that your novel (thus far) will unabashedly feel at home on the list.

Good luck, and God bless!

I truly appreciate all your kind words.

On the issue of the cover, the foreign publisher has its own policy on design. They requested for a soft copy of the book, chose their own design and formatted the whole interior of the book to conform with their standards. They also put in a bar code which is essential for sale in bookshops abroad. They've actually done a good job in making it available on the web.

Very nice one you have there.If only the rest chapters will be as interesting and suspending as the chapter one then i think i would like to write your preface.Keep it up.You are a good writer and i don't need anyone to tell me that.Cheers!

a nice work.i am so impress with your work on this.i hope you kept the tempo till the end cos the end of this book will be the decider, if the writer holds on to the tempo and intrigues!!! too lovely.i must look for it.pls this is my e-mail:hammahsmith@yahoo.com

I would appreciate it if you get this book on Amazon Fast.

I want to buy it. I love the first chapter. Good Job. Wow. . . . This is really a good Job.

I'd like to read your first book too.

hot-angel:

I would appreciate it if you get this book on Amazon Fast.

I want to buy it. I love the first chapter. Good Job. Wow. . . . This is really a good Job.

I'd like to read your first book too.

I'm glad you like it. The Aireginan Dream is already available on Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Tesco UK.

I searched for it on amazon and it came out with no result.

hot-angel:

I searched for it on amazon and it came out with no result.

Hi, there's a direct link on my website www.dupeolorunjo.com

kool