kayo80:


GOD BLESS YOU A MILLION TIMES. finally! Someone that sees what I see. Please, let's brainstorm. How do you feel a writer can monetize his works?

Well, we are working on an alternative to Okada Books that would be like the web/serial type platform that is popular in China and Japan. That said, if you write great (by great, I mean interesting and entertaining) fiction, then you can publish on Amazon KDP. I know someone who makes $300- $500 a month from her romance novels. Small money but that's a full time wage when you convert to Naira.

BruncleZuma:


Kayo80 I understand the points you've made but some were made with broad strokes and inaccurate conclusions. When you say millionaire, is it in terms of naira or dollars then lastly you are bent on monetization over content and that worries me. I may have opposing views to the intentions of your thread but will advise that you start with short stories and then ease your way into the market also competing in literally competitions may bring you closer to your ambition.

"lastly you are bent on monetization over content and that worries me."

I have been writing all my life, and professionally, I have been writing for at least 10 years, so I have every right to want to earn something from my works. I have 16 stories (1 novel, 10 novellas and 5 short stories) on nairaland... All completely available for free.

I love writing, and I love giving out my books for free too. But at some point, I think I should think of monetizing my works.



"...but will advise that you start with short stories and then ease your way into the market also competing in literally competitions may bring you closer to your ambition."

As I said before, I have been writing all my life. I have at least 30 stories on my laptop. I don't mind giving up all my stories for free. But I think me and some other writers out there need to earn a living from our works evidently. And I am looking for that way. Simple.
"

AfroSamurai:
I suppose reading stories on Romance section add value to you and give you more information, also broaden your knowledge of the world? Wow.

I hope you know when I mentioned Literature section, I wasn't just talking about literature section alone, but also Poems For Review section.

Now, if you want value, try that section and see for yourself.

Why are you straw-manning my argument? You conveniently ignored the strong points I raised about my comparison between non-fiction and fiction in terms of the educative and intellectual value and you focused on an earlier point I raised about romance section.

Yes, I'll still prefer reading romance section over literature section. It doesn't mean that romance section is vast terrain of intellectual nourishment or a section I'd recommended for someone who wants to broaden his perspective and explore novel ideas. No. But when you juxtapose it with literature section, I'll choose it over literature section because at least I get informed about relationship issues through interesting discussion and reading about real stories of real people, and I also get introduced to informative blogs. And remember there is also a sexuality section within romance section where one can expand his knowledge of sexual subjects. There is a lot of benefit in this.

Reading poems on literature section doesn't add any value to my life, sorry.

kayo80:


"lastly you are bent on monetization over content and that worries me."

I have been writing all my life, and professional, I have been writing for at least 10 years, so I have every right to want to earn something from my works. I have 16 stories (1 novel, 10 novellas and 5 short stories) on nairaland... All completely available for free.

I love writing, and I love giving out my books for free too. But at some point, I think I should think of monetizing my works.



"...but will advise that you start with short stories and then ease your way into the market also competing in literally competitions may bring you closer to your ambition."

As I said before, I have been writing all my life. I have at least 30 stories on my laptop. I don't mind giving up all my stories for free. But I think me and some other writers out there need to earn a living from our works evidently. And I am looking for that way. Simple.
"

There's an African saying that involves a fish, the crocodile and an eye...my questions are, who are your target audience? What genre of SciFi do you write on? Have you tried doing a Graphical Novel?...There are so many ways of pushing your works.

einsteine:



Well, we are working on an alternative to Okada Books that would be like the web/serial type platform that is popular in China and Japan. That said, if you write great (by great, I mean interesting and entertaining) fiction, then you can publish on Amazon KDP. I know someone who makes $300- $500 a month from her romance novels. Small money but that's a full time wage when you convert to Naira.

About working on an alternative to okadabooks, I can't wait for that.

On publishing on Amazon, I already do that, although I sell more on Apple's iBooks... Even at that, they are still peanuts. When you sell for $1, and after taxes and commission that Amazon or Apple collects, you left with like 20 cents a book, then it takes a lot of sales to earn a decent income from book sales.

Your friend earns $300-$500 from book sales on Amazon monthly? Whoa! This is interesting. I have NEVER MET A NIGERIAN AUTHOR THAT MAKES THAT MUCH FROM SELLING FICTION BOOKS ON AMAZON, and trust me, I have been in the KDP community for 5 years now. Does she use her original name? Or she uses a pen name?

BruncleZuma:

There's an African saying that involves a fish, the crocodile and an eye...my questions are, who are your target audience? What genre of SciFi do you write on? Have you tried doing a Graphical Novel?...There are so many ways of pushing your works.

I never said I write Sci-Fi. I write Romance suspense novels.

First reason is the overwhelming pervasive mediocrity in the genre in Nigeria. There are a few good Nigerian authors around, but 99% out there are not worth reading. There are a few years in which NLNG didn't give out a literature prize because they found no authors worth reviewing.

Second is this country's religious fanaticism has made us culturally dead. Extra curricular activities that would normally be devoted to artistic pursuits are focused on religious activities. The top pastors sell millions of religious-themed books, but it's a shame authors cannot sell books.

kayo80:


I never said I write Sci-Fi. I write Romance suspense novels.

I'm sorry about that mixup ...this is why I was pushing Nnedi Okoroafor.

Unfortunately, I don't do romance and I wish you well in your aspirations to pull a Harry Potter

BruncleZuma:




I'm sorry about that mixup ...this is why I was pushing Nnedi Okoroafor.

Unfortunately, I don't do romance and I wish you well in your aspirations to pull a Harry Potter

Lol! Thanks for you discouraging last paragraph. That only fuels my ambitions the more.

kayo80:


Lol! Thanks for you discouraging last paragraph. That only fuels my ambitions the more.

There was no discouragement there my good sire may the force be with you; that was a metaphor earlier.

Obi1kenobi:
First reason is the overwhelming pervasive mediocrity in the genre in Nigeria. There are a few good Nigerian authors around, but 99% out there are not worth reading. There are a few years in which NLNG didn't give out a literature prize because they found no authors worth reviewing.

Second is this country's religious fanaticism has made us culturally dead. Extra curricular activities that would normally be devoted to artistic pursuits are focused on religious activities. The top pastors sell millions of religious-themed books, but it's a shame authors cannot sell books.

"The top pastors sell millions of religious-themed books, but it's a shame authors cannot sell books."

So true. So sad.

BruncleZuma:


There was no discouragement there my good sire may the force be with you; that was a metaphor earlier.

Metaphor, yes. Good luck with me trying to pull a Harry Potter...i. e, Good luck with me trying to perform magic/do the impossible.

kayo80:


Metaphor, yes. Good luck with me trying to pull a Harry Potter...i. e, Good luck with me trying to perform magic/do the impossible.

I should have just said "all the best"...you know who else pulled a Harry Potter? JK Rowling

kayo80:


"lastly you are bent on monetization over content and that worries me."

I have been writing all my life, and professional, I have been writing for at least 10 years, so I have every right to want to earn something from my works. I have 16 stories (1 novel, 10 novellas and 5 short stories) on nairaland... All completely available for free.

I love writing, and I love giving out my books for free too. But at some point, I think I should think of monetizing my works.



"...but will advise that you start with short stories and then ease your way into the market also competing in literally competitions may bring you closer to your ambition."

As I said before, I have been writing all my life. I have at least 30 stories on my laptop. I don't mind giving up all my stories for free. But I think me and some other writers out there need to earn a living from our works evidently. And I am looking for that way. Simple.
"

and short.

meneski:
and short.

BruncleZuma:


I should have just said "all the best"...you know who else pulled a Harry Potter? JK Rowling

Yes. Thanks anyway. And look out for this name in the new future- Kayode Odusanya.

kayo80:


Yes. Thanks anyway. And look out for this name in the new future- Kayode Odusanya.

If and when I hear an association of that name with Sci-fi.

BruncleZuma:


If and when I hear an association of that name with Sci-fi.

Lol!

In the next 1 year, the #IncomeTutorsBootcamp will produce some of Nigeria best fiction and nonfiction writers.

jetroolowole:
In the next 1 year, the #IncomeTutorsBootcamp will produce some of Nigeria best fiction and nonfiction writers.

which one be income bootcamp?

Guys, what do you think of a subcription based means of earning money from books? I mean, like readers pay like 2k a month and they get to read multiple books from different authors on a particular platform for 30 months.

kayo80:
Guys, what do you think of a subcription based means of earning money from books? I mean, like readers pay like 2k a month and they get to read multiple books from different authors on a particular platform for 30 months.

Honestly, Nigerians don't read. That's just it.

Galacious1:
Honestly, Nigerians don't read. That's just it.

There is a large amount of Nigerians that read, but they don't like paying for what they read. That's it. I have seen stories by my friends like Evajael on here that got over a quarter of a million views. Is it ghosts that are viewing the stories?

kaziblake:
wow!So true.I have read a lot of foreign books and most of them talks about this millionaire hot guy who is in love with a stripper or a bar attendant and the sex part is always wow but I guess culture and religion is playing a big part in ours here that why you hardly get those kind of book
pls read (accidentally by mistake)a book by KA Linda.

Foreigners can lie so much. which millionaire is marrying a girl that's not rich? the rich marries the rich especially this our present generation

kayo80:


So are trying to say there is no hope for the Nigerian fiction writers that is writing for the Nigerian market?

Guy... those guys have lots of foreign sponsors, when you look at Nigerians who have won prizes in Nigeria they tend to move abroad in their later years. infact African writer series is been packaged from abroad. I mean there are some select few who would rather write for the foreign market than Nigerian market because they will sell better there.

kayo80:


Which way have you found to monetize your stories? Please share. I just really want authors to be able to make a decent living from their works... Whether it is directly or indirectly.

I,m running against time. I wanna publish my new book tonight. I was planning to open a new tread and address the issue having consulted with other genuine authors like 'Godmother'.

I will do so tonight and mention you

Eze2000:


I,m running against time. I wanna publish my new book tonight. I was planning to open a new tread and address the issue having consulted with other genuine authors like 'Godmother'.

I will do so tonight and mention you

Wow! Nice. Godmother is my friend too.

I will be waiting for the mention.

sinceraconcept:
Foreigners can lie so much. which millionaire is marrying a girl that's not rich? the rich marries the rich especially this our present generation

Lol! I guess that's why it is "fiction"...something that some people fantasize about.

Blackops:


Guy... those guys have lots of foreign sponsors, when you look at Nigerians who have won prizes in Nigeria they tend to move abroad in their later years. infact African writer series is been packaged from abroad. I mean there are some select few who would rather write for the foreign market than Nigerian market because they will sell better there.

I know all that. But there should be a way to change the dynamics of things.

No, a pen name.

She writes Christian romance. She makes most of her royalties through the select programme. I think it's about the niche and the willingness to do paid marketing.

kayo80:



About working on an alternative to okadabooks, I can't wait for that.

On publishing on Amazon, I already do that, although I sell more on Apple's iBooks... Even at that, they are still peanuts. When you sell for $1, and after taxes and commission that Amazon or Apple collects, you left with like 20 cents a book, then it takes a lot of sales to earn a decent income from book sales.

Your friend earns $300-$500 from book sales on Amazon monthly? Whoa! This is interesting. I have NEVER MET A NIGERIAN AUTHOR THAT MAKES THAT MUCH FROM SELLING FICTION BOOKS ON AMAZON, and trust me, I have been in the KDP community for 5 years now. Does she use her original name? Or she uses a pen name?

kayo80:


I know all that. But there should be a way to change the dynamics of things.

its just a pity Nigerians do not read. I volunteer with an NGO that promotes literacy. if I should tell you what we pass through SMH. you will not believe it. How do you expect a society that does not cherish reading to buy books. Authors will only sell if people buy abi...

How will there be when writers are posting their writings for free on Facebook and other platforms?