I like your style. It's really awesome.

Now hear this.

I was walking along a line of blocks inside the estate, where I live. I had an appointment with someone I was sooo sure I'd meet at home. A very small boy (about six years old, by my estimation) was pointing a toy gun t me, and guess what, the mother and another woman were looking on with relish. I threw a nasty look at him, just that I didn't want to spoil my 'joyous' mood. Did that have an effect on him? Not quite sure. And as it turned out, I didn't meet the friend at home. I wasn't happy that I cut off some appointment just to keep this long-due one with him. Can't you imagine what I would have done to the small militant in the making, if he had pointed a gun (toy or real) t me on my way coming back from a failed appointment?

Let's try and keep our children off such nasty pastime, such as teaching them how to shoot a gun.

I had always thought that Nigerian children were only good at dancing, singing, watching cartoons and other t.v. shows. But all that changed when I read a story in the Saturday Punch newspaper (August 24,2010 edition) titled: "Nigeria's Youngest Authors". Ordinarily,I would have passe it off as another hype that doesn't get one anywhere. I did not. Curiously, and naturally as a writer myself, I took my time to digest the content of that story. Staring me in the eyes were the pictures of three young girls, who became authors at very tender ages of 8 and 9. Two of them precisely, were eight years old.

Eight years ol authors! That was interesting, especially with their names, schools, classes, and titles of their books included, I could help but give kudos to the NGO that produced these ones.

I was on facebook recently, searching for groups of writers, then I stumbled on CHILDREN WRITERS INITIATIVE. I decided to check it out and found out that it was the name of the NGO that actually made us proud as Nigerians, by giving us the Youngest Authors, ever published in the history of this great country. There, I became more convinced as the pictures of these children, including their teachers, were on display. Man, did I feel elated! You may also check out the group and see things for yourself, and may be do as I did - join the group.

One thought that occupied my mind as I browsed through the pictures was that: Why can't we have more organisations that would encourage Nigerian children to write their own stories, just as Children Writers Initiative is doing, other than just concentrating Essay writing, dancing, singing, et al, that has become the fad in the country? What can YOU and I do to help our children discover themselves through story writing? It is a food for thought, isn't it?

Hello Seun, It gladdens my heart when young ones, like you, are serious about writing. I appreciate your efforts.
About publishing your book. You have two options: Get a publisher or self-publishing.
Getting a publisher to sign up an upcoming author isn't easy, either in Nigeria or abroad. This has led many authors into self-publishing.
But there are challenges in this also, the majors one being Finance and some technicalities. But if you can cough out the needed money, then it's better for you to be your own boss. After all, that's what everyone wants to be.
Myself and some friends are into self-publishing consultancy, and we are packaging a programme for would-be self-publishers. I shall let you know when it's coming up.
Meanwhile, I'd like to have a look at what you have. I'll send you a message.
Regards.

Your first step to getting published is to identify a publisher who's interested in your work. And since you claim to have written two stories already, I might be able to help you talk to one or two publishers, ie, if you are based here in Nigeria.
You may wish to PM me on: haideas@yahoo.com.

Hello,
It's true that you can sell your story's copyright to publishers. But there is a note of warning here:
Try and be careful with your information, Mr. poster.
Things don't work out, as easy as you're trying to make people believe.
If it's working so well for you, earning some 30k weekly, selling your stories (although I have my personal, strong doubts), why are you making such a loud noise about it? Or are you into "Information marketing"?
I should knowquite well, cos I'm an author of several children stories and books, and also own a small publishing firm. I'm into self-publishing. I'm quite familiar with the terrain. There are sound rules to follow.
Working with a newspaper house does not automatically qualify you to be a good story-teller. They are different ball games. I practised Journalism for many years, before I delved into private business.
So, my little piece of advice to everyone here is: tread gently; look before you leap