₦airaland Forum

Mad-max, you just nailed it. Are you a fiction writer btw? Just curious.

bluespice:
gee thanks



lol i did n then i realised by july my address woulda changed

a soft copy will do just fine tho 


really appreciate it tho

Awww, Bluespice, it appears you never received your complimentary copy. If you send me your address, (joan.peck@bernardbooks.com) I'll make sure one is sent over to you.

Unless you really want to wait for the e-book (Kindle) edition, that is.

Mitchelin, if you're this worried about publishing your work in Nigeria, why not submit to foreign publishers and literary agencies? It is a daunting procedure, but if you're determined, you will succeed in the end. Hey, even J.K Rowling was rejected thirteen times before she finally landed an agent for "Harry Potter."

Just as an after-thought, one of the major reasons why American publishers hardly accept Nigerian authors is the high degree of piracy going on in Nigeria. Publisher's hardly recoup their investment on these authors which includes cost of professional manuscript editing, type-setting, book design, printing, marketing, adverts, and promos.

Another major reason is that Nigerians are not proud of their authors and will hardly ever take it upon themselves to help promote their author's works. Word of mouth is any new author's best promotion device. If those your work is aimed at do not help you promote your work, you're sunk.

Only if the novel wins a major award, like in the case of Ms. Adichie, will people come out and proclaim their Nigerian-relation to the author. But, even then, ask them if they actually paid to read the novel and you'll be surprised at what their answers will be.

In all my years as a book publicist, I'll tell you that Nigerian authors are the most difficult to promote.

You can now read Chapters 1-3 and the reviews of this novel on the publisher's website https://bernardbooks.com/gpage.html

semid4lyfe:
Have they run out of novels by Nigerians to use as literature texts that they'll now use Feddie Girl? Make them take am stock up their libraries sha. Maybe my lil' sis will borrow it and bring it home for me to read.

What do you know? I guess they need more than they've got at the moment. Either that or they are looking for themed novels that drive certain messages home.
Anyway, they are stocking now so feel free to ask your sister to check-out a copy for you from her school library, if that's the only way you get to read the whole novel.

I'm just wondering how there can be "literary agents" in Nigeria when it is purported that the majority of literate Nigerians do not read for leisure.

Agents make their livelihood form their work. For their fee, they charge about 10% of author proceeds. So how can they represent an author who writes a book targeted to Nigerians--the same people who are purported as not interested in books? How will the book sell? How will the author, much more of the agent, make a livelihood from this?

Throw in the high degree of piracy and plagiarism going on in Nigeria and you're back to square one.

Not to mention that according to P.A. Modupe Oduyoye, "Book Launching Is Killing Book Publishing In Nigeria"
[url]http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/business/article04//indexn3_html?pdate=170509&ptitle=Book%20Launching%20Is%20Killing%20Book%20Publishing%20In%20Nigeria&cpdate=293008
[/url]

Just wondering.

@ OP,

BTW, have you seen this article by PA Modupe Oduyoye on the Guardian Newspaper (May 17, 2009):

[b]"Book Launching Is Killing Book Publishing In Nigeria"  [url]http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/business/article04//indexn3_html?pdate=170509&ptitle=Book%20Launching%20Is%20Killing%20Book%20Publishing%20In%20Nigeria&cpdate=293008
[/url]
You should probably look through it and see how "book launching" is regarded before you proceed. 

^^^ Makes sense I suppose.

You now save 35% on all orders of Feddie Girl [/b]made via the publisher's website.
Price is now $12.99 (was $19.99); for a LIMITED TIME only!

https://bernardbooks.com/links.html

Alternatively, you can get this novel on Amazon.com

Also available in NIGERIA at a reduced price: Now N2500 (was N3300). [b]You save 25%
See https://bernardbooks.com/news.html for info on where to purchase in Nigeria.

Offer available only while supplies last!

Joan Peck (Book Publicist)
Bernard Books Publishing

This novel is now available for purchase.

Title: "Feddie Girl: The Hilarious Adventures of an American Teen in a Nigerian Federal School"

Author: Nona David

Publisher: Bernard Books Publishing (Cincinnati, OH USA)

Where to buy:

1. From the publisher (Bernard Books Publishing): https://bernardbooks.com/links.html
2. From Amazon.com and eBay.com
3. Buy in Nigeria. Information listed on https://bernardbooks.com/news.html

Back Blurb:

Carlotta Ikedi (A.k.a Feddie Girl) has never liked school. Not in California. Not in Oklahoma. When her exasperated parents ship her off to boarding school–in West Africa–Carlotta faces a life, culture, and existence unlike anything she’s ever known.

School rules and regulations, rising bell, lights-out, manual labor, inspections, dining time, prefects, punishments, mean bunkmates, and visiting days–it’s all here. But author Nona David takes Carlotta’s story a step further when her adventure’s lead to unfortunate incidents that threaten to drive her American family into the clutches of infidelity and organized crime.

Boarding school doesn’t get any better than this…

For those who have experienced the boarding school life, the adventures of Feddie Girl will bring those memories crashing back… For anyone else, get ready to see the world as Feddie Girl.

Read excerpts and Reviews: https://bernardbooks.com/gpage.html

[center]"Feddie Girl: The Hilarious Adventures of an American Teen in a Nigerian Federal School"

By Nona David[/center]

Where to buy:

1. From the publisher (Bernard Books Publishing): https://bernardbooks.com/links.html
2. From Amazon.com and eBay.com
3. Buy in Nigeria. Information listed on https://bernardbooks.com/news.html

Back Blurb:

Carlotta Ikedi (A.k.a Feddie Girl) has never liked school. Not in California. Not in Oklahoma. When her exasperated parents ship her off to boarding school–in West Africa–Carlotta faces a life, culture, and existence unlike anything she’s ever known.

School rules and regulations, rising bell, lights-out, manual labor, inspections, dining time, prefects, punishments, mean bunkmates, and visiting days–it’s all here. But author Nona David takes Carlotta’s story a step further when her adventure’s lead to unfortunate incidents that threaten to drive her American family into the clutches of infidelity and organized crime.

Boarding school doesn’t get any better than this…

For those who have experienced the boarding school life, the adventures of Feddie Girl will bring those memories crashing back… For anyone else, get ready to see the world as Feddie Girl.

Read excerpts and Reviews: https://bernardbooks.com/gpage.html

This novel is available on Amazon.com and eBay.

Purchase from the publisher's website and receive free shipping till Dec 31st 2009: https://bernardbooks.com/links.html

The novel is also available in Nigeria. See agents' locations and contact details: [url]https://bernardbooks.com/news.html
[/url]

This novel is available on Amazon.com and eBay.

Purchase from the publisher's website and receive free shipping till Dec 31st 2009: https://bernardbooks.com/links.html

The novel is also available in Nigeria. See agents' locations and contact details: [url]https://bernardbooks.com/news.html
[/url]

FEDDIE GIRL: The Hilarious Adventures of an American Teen in a Nigerian Federal School

FEDDIE GIRL is an international adventure/thriller about the experiences of an American teenager in a Nigerian (West Africa) boarding school. This novel offers a unique reading experience--witty, fun, and exhilarating. The masterful suspense, action, and sub-plot will curl your toes, keep you reading all night, and leave you thirsting for more.

WHERE TO BUY:
From Publisher: Bernard Books publishing https://bernardbooks.com/links.html
From Amazon.com, eBay.com, Barnes & Noble.com and Froogle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE IN NIGERIA See details of Sales Agents and locations on https://bernardbooks.com/news.html


BOOK DETAILS

Book Title: [/b]FEDDIE GIRL: The Hilarious Adventures of an American Teen in a Nigerian Federal School
[b]Author: Nona David
Publication Date: February 2010
Copyright: [/b]July 2009 by Bernard Books Publishing, USA
[b]Type: US Trade Paperback
Page No: 400
ISBN: [/b]978-0-9824526-0-8
[b]Deal: Get it from the publisher at 35% off the cover price.


BOOK BACK BLURB:

Carlotta Ikedi (A.k.a Feddie Girl) has never liked school. Not in California. Not in Oklahoma. When her exasperated parents ship her off to boarding school–in West Africa–Carlotta faces a life, culture, and existence unlike anything she’s ever known.

School rules and regulations, rising bell, lights-out, manual labor, inspections, dining time, prefects, punishments, mean bunkmates, and visiting days–it’s all here. But author Nona David takes Carlotta’s story a step further when her adventure’s lead to unfortunate incidents that threaten to drive her American family into the clutches of infidelity and organized crime.

Boarding school doesn’t get any better than this…

For those who have experienced the boarding school life, the adventures of Feddie Girl will bring those memories crashing back… For anyone else, get ready to see the world as Feddie Girl.

Read Excerpts: https://bernardbooks.com/subpage.html


For questions about bulk purchase, please contact:

Joan Peck (Book Publicist)
Bernard Books Publishing
P.O. Box 11016
Cincinnati, OHIO 45211
USA
[email]joan.peck@bernardbooks.com[/email]
https://bernardbooks.com

Don't miss out on this novel.

Read excerpts at: http://bernardbooks.com/subpage.html

Reserve a copy at: http://bernardbooks.com/form.html

Novel availability will be by reservation only. Deadline for advance copy reservation is Sept 20th, 2009.

DON'T MISS OUT!!!

Don't miss out on this novel.

Read excerpts at: [url]https://bernardbooks.com/subpage.html
[/url]
Purchase at: https://bernardbooks.com/links.html Now 35% off.

Purchase in Nigeria: See sales agents' contact info and locations at https://bernardbooks.com/news.html

Copies are also available on Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and on eBay.

Hurry now!!!!!!!!

Deadline for reservation of advance copies of FEDDIE GIRL is Sept 28th, 2009.

Last chance to reserve go to: http://bernardbooks.com/form.html

Hi Lanre-front,

You raised some good issues. I will try to tackle them in stages.

lanre_front:
Hey Joan, thanks for this thread. Eventually, i'm sure it will be helpful to several aspiring writers on Nairaland.

I wish to bring your attention to the advert on the left-hand corner of the Literature/Writing page which says "Do not self-publish". In your spare time, could you click on the link and confirm that its not a spam website because it sure looks like one to me and its being given space on Nairaland.

Check their tab, "contact us". They say they have an office suite in New York yet give no address. Check the link to "testimonials". They claim lofty exploits in their chosen endeavour and yet do not give a single name of an author under them or a novel published by them.

Basically both the advert that says, "Don't Self Publish Yet" (Ad by WL publishing) and "Do Not Self Publishing" (Ad by strategic publishing); are both subsidy publishers own by the same LLC (launched by Mr Robert Fletcher).

There has been a flag of this group of Vanity/Subsidy publisher for a number of years now especially in 2005 when a lawsuit was brought against them by the authors they mis-represented. (See article by Voictoria Straus below):

Subsidy Publishing means, the author has to pay an amount of money upfront (about $4000 = N600,000) for his/her book to be published. The subsidy publisher promises they would invest an amount of their own money in the book, but in actuality, they invest  nothing. This means the author bears the total cost of seeing their book in print.
In addition, Subsidy Publishers hardly market your book or put any serious effort in making available on the bookshelves. They have little or no sales records, meaning that after shelling $4000 to them, your book will still not sell due to the non-existent marketing. (Marketing = public knowing about your book and buying it = monetary sales)
So in this case, you either drive the marketing yourself and earn about 40% of the sales, or be in the situation where your book will not sell. Not even a single copy, as is the case with many books published this way.
These companies may just make your book available on their own website and on Lulu.com, and that's it.

My professional advice is: PLEASE RUN AWAY FROM ADVERTS LIKE THIS. ESPECIALLY FROM THOSE SUBSIDY COMPANIES OWNED BY ROBERT FLETCHER!
**Please read the article below and see for yourself. For more information on scam publishers, go to

http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubwarn.htm

http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/

Article by Victoria Strauss [url]http://www.sfwa.org/BEWARE/general.html
[/url]

Writers' Literary Agency (WLA -- formerly The Literary Agency Group) / Global Book Agency / Strategic Book Publishing / Eloquent Books / AEG Publishing Group
The Literary Agency Group, a business controlled by Robert M. Fletcher of Boca Raton, Florida, changed its name in February 2007 to Writers' Literary Agency (a.k.a. WLA or WL Writers' Agency).

This umbrella group includes the following:

    * WL Children's Agency
    * WL Poet's Agency
    * WL Screenplay Agency
    * Writers' Literary & Publishing Services Company (the editing arm of the above-mentioned agencies)

In 2008, the business expanded to include publishing operations under the umbrella of the AEG Publishing Group:

    * Strategic Book Publishing
    * Eloquent Books
    * Authors' Edge

Other current businesses or websites that Writer Beware believes are associated with Writers' Literary Agency, based on referrals and website content, include:

    * Writers' Book Publishing Agency
    * Children's Book Publishing Agency
    * Poetry Book Publishing Agency
    * Screenplay Writers' Agency
    * Global Book Agency
    * Strategic Book Marketing
    * Authors' Edge

Other names the business has used include Sydra-Techniques, ST Literary Agency, Stylus Agency, Children's Literary Agency, Christian Literary Agency, New York Literary Agency, Poet's Literary Agency, The Screenplay Agency, and My Editor Is A Saint (an editing company).

Since the business began operating in 2001 under the name Sydra-Techniques, Writer Beware has received hundreds of complaints and advisories of fee-charging for literary agency services, fee-based publishing, critique and editing referrals, and other questionable practices. We're not aware that the literary agency branch of the business has a significant track record of commercial book or script sales under any of its names.

In February 2008, Robert Fletcher and The Literary Agency Group filed a retaliatory lawsuit against Writer Beware, alleging defamation, loss of business, and emotional distress. On March 18, 2009, the suit was dismissed with prejudice by the Massachusetts Superior Court, due to Fletcher’s failure to respond to discovery or otherwise prosecute the lawsuit. SFWA has issued an official press release.

The office of the Florida Attorney General has opened a public consumer-related investigation into Writers' Literary Agency and its associated businesses.

Writers who have had trouble with Robert M. Fletcher or any of the above-named businesses, and who wish to file a complaint, may contact the office of the Florida Attorney General, regardless of their place or country of residence, or the date of their involvement.

Contact information:

Randi Shapiro, Financial Investigator
Economic Crimes Division
Email: randi.shapiro@myfloridalegal.com
Phone: 866-966-7226 (toll free hotline) or 850-414-3990

Or visit the Consumer Protection section of the Florida AG's website.

Hi all,

I almost forgot all about this thread. I started it a while back and got no responses for a while, so I assumed people just weren't that interest in the publishing industry and the literary world. My bad

Anyway, here I am. I will tackle each question as we go along.

Regards to all.

Hahahaha, the tale is hilarious! I could actually imagine the scene unfolding before me. You've definitely got spunk, please run with this idea. I think it could be fully developed to reach its full potential.

However, I also agree with SeyQua on these points:

SeyQua:
A nice story, with a very good narrative voice, good humour, and a strong naija appeal. However, it could be better if you worked on your dialogue; what with the complete absence of inverted commas by which we're supposed to separate one person's speech from another.

Also, your choice of vocabulary for the story seems limited, especially with the verbs.

Goodluck

But it is nothing that can't be fixed. If you don't know how, find a good editor/copy editor/proof reader to do you the honors. Please don't let this go stale. Keep working on it, cos it has got potential.

Best of luck!

Joan.

This is nice, but the pacing is a little off. You haven't actually got to the crux of the story the whole time, just basically telling us a bunch of mundane stuff that aren't quite interesting. No action, no tension, no heart-pumping material, no laughter, no comical details, no perils, no emotions, etc, etc.

You need to learn the rules of dialogue. Also, you are having the beginning parts of one character's dialogue run into the previous paragraph. In dialogue; each words, thoughts, or attributes of separate characters should stand alone as a paragraph. 

Like where you said:

“I can’t believe is almost over!” she squealed. I sighed.

“It is over, Hannah.”I responded. Hannah was going to Florida for the summer break and didn’t miss a chance to boast about it. I, on the other hand, I had nothing planned but sit around my house and listen to my granddad talk about the single women at bingo that were “eyeing” him.

It would have read better as:

“I can’t believe is almost over!” she squealed.

I sighed. “It is over, Hannah,” I responded. Hannah was going to Florida for the summer break and didn’t miss a chance to boast about it. I, on the other hand, had nothing planned but to sit around my house and listen to my granddad talk about the single women at bingo that were “eyeing” him.

Here is a pointer for reworking the excerpt:
The last paragraph should have happened sooner, you know, to give the readers something interesting to hang-on to while they read through the mundane details of everyday life you presented.
Most readers will probably skim the whole thing until they get to the 'granddad confession' part. Then again, many don't have that kind of patience to keep reading through boring stuff and wondering when they will ever get to the good part.
If you're thinking of using this as the beginning of a novel, then you need to re-work it. Basically, you have about 10-15 seconds to draw the reader in, before they decide your story is or isn't working, and make the decision to either put your book back on the shelf or take it to the cashier.
Your choice.
Unless of course, this is an excerpt from the middle of your novel. But then, why would you choose to give us a sample of the boring part?
We need you to reel us in, grab our attention within the first two paragraphs, give us something immediate to care about.

My opinion?
Start with the 'granddad confession' and work your way onwards from there. For e.g. you could have written:

My heart thudded in my chest as I watched the deep lines on his face. Like many men his age, the whole seventy-two years of his life told their story on his skin. The eyes hung limp and sallow--almost drooping. Usually, he smiled. But not this morning.

Something was wrong with my granddad.

I watched him take another deep breath and my breath caught in my throat. It seemed he was searching for the right words. Granddad never went out of things to say. For him to stall for words now meant something grave had robbed him of his spontaneity. It must have been something really grotesque for, right now, he was utterly tongue-tied. His eyes seemed to lose focus. For a moment, I wondered if he still remembered I was sitting on the floor, right in front of him.

I swallowed and inched closer.

“Fred,” he began after a moment, refocusing on me again. “I told you how your mother and father passed away, right?”

I nodded slowly.

“Well, here’s the truth.”

My heart stopped. Then it slammed into my chest and began to beat with a heavy staccato rhythm.

Something was definitely wrong!

I remembered waking up early the day before like any other normal school day. It was the last day of school and I had been sitting with the rest of my class waiting for the final dismissal. The class had been so restless that the teacher had given up on the “summer safety” talk and let us chat with each other. My friend Hannah immediately turned to face me.

*** Add all the other stuff you had before here ***

Right now, while sitting and staring into my granddad's face, something told me my world was about to come crashing all around my feet.

This is a good story and I can see it turning into a very thrilling plot. Please keep going and keep working on it. You have the makings of a captivating full-length novel here.

Good luck!

Joan

Nwadinma, is this up for critic?

Kay29000

Good and authentic editors don't hide behind anonymous identities in public forums. Whatever you do, please always ask for past works done, and verify authenticity before you hire.

Good luck!

Joan