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Literature › Get PUBLISHED In Nigeria! by tunechi22(op): 7:08pm On Mar 06, 2017

- Black Tower Publishers LimiteD www.blacktowerpublishers.com.ng
Black Tower Publishers Limited was incorporated in Costa Rica in December 1966 and today Black Tower Publishers Nig Ltd (branch) stands among Nigeria’s leading educational and online publishers. They publish books of all kinds; and offer manuscript editing, proofreading, script review and ghostwriting services.

- University Press Plc
University Press Plc was founded in 1949 under the name of the Oxford University Press Nigeria, and has grown to become one of the oldest, most experienced and the Nation’s foremost Publishers of materials for educational and for general reading. At Incorporation as a public liability company in 1978, the company’s name was changed to University Press Limited with an authorized share capital of 8 million ordinary shares of 50k each. Quoted on the Nigerian stock exchange on 14th August 1978, UP PLC has, on two occasions, won the prestigious stock exchange merit Award in the service sector of quoted companies. It has also won, for two consecutive years, 1984 and 1985, the Concord Prize for Excellence in Academic publishing.
- Literamed Publication
Literamed Publications Nigeria Limited was incorporated in April 1969, primarily for the publication of Medipharm, a medical index of pharmaceutical specialties in Nigeria.
Medipharm formed the name Literamed, which means literary and medical publication.
The Chairman, Otunba Yinka Lawal Solarin, embarked on building a printing press; he approached the manager of then Barclays Bank 131 Broad street, Lagos, Nigeria of his intention, he was told the bank was not in the habit of financing a whole project but that if he could build a factory, the bank would finance the machine for production.
The Executive Director, Olori Bjorg Solarin, an architect designed a plan on two acres of land bought at Alausa Oregun road Ikeja for the printing press and within six months the printing press was completed.
Mr. Wiggin of the Bank came to inspect the press and fulfilled his promises paid full amount for the machines.
On August 1972, Medipharm was successfully printed and delivered on the commissioning day of the printing press by Prof. Thomas, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. That was the beginning of Literamed Publications taking on its own life. Lantern Books started with the publication of Verbal and Quantitative reasoning. The success recorded informed the publication of educational books which stated with Comprehensive Social studies. The first edition published in 1992. Literamed had sustained itself on the publication of Medipharm, pre-primary books and Happi product before the advent of primary school titles.
In 2004, Literamed floated Comics Hut, a subsidiary for the publication of Comic books which tells indigenous African stories with good moral values while Living Scrolls are Bible stories in pictures. In 2008, Literamed opened another office in Ghana, West Africa, which is being managed by a county manager.
- Kachifo Limited
Kachifo Limited is an independent Nigerian publishing house set up in 2004 by Muhtar Bakare to tell our own stories. They are the publishers of Farafina Books, Prestige Books and Farafina Magazine until suspension of its publication in 2009.
Kachifo also established a non-profit trust, Farafina Trust, whose broad vision is to promote literature and literary skills in Africa. Kachifo limited aims to set high standards for editorial, conceptual and production quality in the Nigerian publishing industry.

- Cassava Republic Press www.cassavarepublic.biz
Cassava Republic Press is obsessed with changing the way people think about fiction. Cassava Republic strongly believes that contemporary African writing should be rooted in African experience in all its diversity whether set in filthy-yet-sexy mega cities such as Lagos, in little-known rural communities, in the recent past or indeed the near future. They also think the time has come to build a new body of African writing that links writers across different time and spaces, following the marvelous example of the African Writers Series in the past.
Cassava Republic Press is based in Abuja, which is a bit like the English town Milton Keynes but set in the tropics. It’s a great place to be, with a modern infrastructure, gorgeous landscapes outside the city and all corners of the continent only a few hours flight away.
The design bible Monocle Magazine, listed Cassava Republic Press as one of the top ten brands to look out for in 2009.

Literature › Win Recharge Cards Reading Kingdom Tales (see Photos) by tunechi22(op): 9:30pm On Feb 26, 2017

[img]https://2.bp..com/-oiy_Wc75Eiw/WHe-bAnT8PI/AAAAAAAAABk/G1BJhBLapSg6UAPUb7OxzxojAbFqPxQogCPcB/s200/1.png[/img]
Download it free on your mobile ON Okadabooks >> http://okadabooks.com/book/about/kingdom_tales/13260

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DOWNLOAD THE BOOK AND CONTACT THE EMAIL/INSTAGRAM USERNAME THERE FOR YOUR PRIZE!

Kingdom Tales is sometimes labelled a fairy story, but it’s far from that. It’s an allegory to the events that took place in Africa after most of the African nations were free to rule themselves. It was a time plagued with wars and coups, and the author of Kingdom Tales did an amazing job retelling those stories using animals.

It was written in an elegantly simple style, and the author, Charles, used the animal kingdoms as a metaphor for the African nations. The story started when King Hasha (Eagles’ king), the ruler of Mountain Kingdom defeated the Cave Kingdom (the Bats) in their quest for a legendary Dark Staff. In real life, this Dark Staff can be a total freedom or independence; because in African folklores, staffs always signify independence or having authority.

Then in the Mountain Kingdom (Eagles’ home), Charles made us to understand that even though the kingdom is strong, it still received support from the ‘creepy’ Falcons who aren’t part of the kingdom. This can be analyzed as the support most African nations got from their colonial masters, which they didn’t believe were genuine supports, rather as a way their masters hoped to exploit them more.

Also while the Mountain Kingdom, Cave Kingdom, and the Forest Kingdom were all searching for the Dark Staff (total freedom), they were also plagued with internal issues. King Hasha lost his throne to one of his soldiers, and was exiled to another kingdom for some time. Something of that nature also happened to the Bats’ king. This could be the time African nations were plagued with coups, civil wars and genocides.

Even though this novel is politically minded, it’s still very entertaining for kids to enjoy. The author has a good sense of humour and great writing style. When I first read it, I really enjoyed it as a fairy story about animals fighting for supremacy, not knowing it represented something deeper. That’s why I say it’s safe for kids to read too.

Charles was able to add African folklore and medieval feel to it too, so anybody from anywhere can totally enjoy the book. And it’s a quick read too. Very classic.

Nairaland General › Win Recharge Cards Reading Kingdom Tales (see Photos) by tunechi22(op): 9:24pm On Feb 26, 2017

Literature › Re: Why You Should Hire An Editor For Your Manuscript. by tunechi22(op): 9:21pm On Feb 26, 2017

That doesn't mean you won't publish it later in life as a professional writer and probably make real money from it

Literature › Re: Literature/Writing Section's "Chat Central!" by tunechi22: 6:02pm On Feb 26, 2017

WIN RECHARGE CARDS READING KINGDOM TALES

[img]https://2.bp..com/-oiy_Wc75Eiw/WHe-bAnT8PI/AAAAAAAAABk/G1BJhBLapSg6UAPUb7OxzxojAbFqPxQogCPcB/s200/1.png[/img]
Download it free on your mobile ON Okadabooks >> http://okadabooks.com/book/about/kingdom_tales/13260

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DOWNLOAD THE BOOK AND CONTACT THE EMAIL/INSTAGRAM USERNAME THERE FOR YOUR PRIZE!

Kingdom Tales is sometimes labelled a fairy story, but it’s far from that. It’s an allegory to the events that took place in Africa after most of the African nations were free to rule themselves. It was a time plagued with wars and coups, and the author of Kingdom Tales did an amazing job retelling those stories using animals.

It was written in an elegantly simple style, and the author, Charles, used the animal kingdoms as a metaphor for the African nations. The story started when King Hasha (Eagles’ king), the ruler of Mountain Kingdom defeated the Cave Kingdom (the Bats) in their quest for a legendary Dark Staff. In real life, this Dark Staff can be a total freedom or independence; because in African folklores, staffs always signify independence or having authority.

Then in the Mountain Kingdom (Eagles’ home), Charles made us to understand that even though the kingdom is strong, it still received support from the ‘creepy’ Falcons who aren’t part of the kingdom. This can be analyzed as the support most African nations got from their colonial masters, which they didn’t believe were genuine supports, rather as a way their masters hoped to exploit them more.

Also while the Mountain Kingdom, Cave Kingdom, and the Forest Kingdom were all searching for the Dark Staff (total freedom), they were also plagued with internal issues. King Hasha lost his throne to one of his soldiers, and was exiled to another kingdom for some time. Something of that nature also happened to the Bats’ king. This could be the time African nations were plagued with coups, civil wars and genocides.

Even though this novel is politically minded, it’s still very entertaining for kids to enjoy. The author has a good sense of humour and great writing style. When I first read it, I really enjoyed it as a fairy story about animals fighting for supremacy, not knowing it represented something deeper. That’s why I say it’s safe for kids to read too.

Charles was able to add African folklore and medieval feel to it too, so anybody from anywhere can totally enjoy the book. And it’s a quick read too. Very classic.

Literature › WIN Recharge Cards Reading KINGDOM TALES! by tunechi22(op): 6:01pm On Feb 26, 2017*

Literature › Why You Should Hire An Editor For Your Manuscript. by tunechi22(op): 1:20pm On Feb 26, 2017

[img]https://4.bp..com/-E-swFj9uakQ/WKSEyzuTXjI/AAAAAAAAALg/bbtuFHIs-z4mhhexgSTUflNjDHrCK-CggCLcB/s1600/editing.jpg[/img]
Many readers notice character and plot development in every story. However, editing ranks as an equally important aspect of the writing process worth mentioning. Some of you may be rolling your eyes. Why harp on about editing?

Because it matters.

Over the past few years, I’ve read quite a few self-published books. Most of the books have been wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Yet some have been painful to read. Others have been good, but could have been great with the assistance of an experienced editor. Too many self-published authors don’t think readers can tell if their novel hasn’t been professionally edited. Trust me, most of us can. As for authors who skip utilizing beta readers and critique partners, that shows as well.

Click here for a professional editor www.blacktowerpublishers.com.ng
I’m not just talking about typos. Many readers will forgive one or two, and these errors do happen in books that are traditionally published. Editors do so much more than proofreading. Developmental editors assist with the story and its execution. This process may involve a massive rewrite, but from my experience, it’s well worth it. My developmental editor has suggested some major changes, including reworking the ending of my first novel. I followed her advice after pouting for a day and you know what? She was right. It’s a much better story now.

Another type is substantive editing, which involves the larger aspects of the novel such as character development, plot holes, unresolved threads, pacing, etc. Yet another form of editing involves copyediting which makes sure you don’t change your character’s name or hair color. Copyeditors also fix grammar and punctuation, as well as assist in fact-checking and identifying potential legal issues. There are even more kinds of editors and some overlap occurs.

Please be wary of editors who say they can offer several different types of editing with one reading. You really will get what you pay for. I’m not saying you have to hire five different editors, but make sure you check your editor’s credentials. Who have they worked with? Do they offer a sample? Most will do this for free. What type of editing experience do they have? Do your research to save yourself from losing money. Also, take the time to recognize the parts of the writing process you need the most help with.

When I hear of self-published authors who admit they didn’t work with a professional editor I cringe. Not only is the author publishing something that isn’t the best that it can be, but the person is denying themselves the opportunity to learn and grow as a writer.

If you want to improve your writing, work with experienced editors. It’ll change how you think about editing and it will make you appreciate all that they have to offer.
Your readers will thank you for it.

Click here for a professional editor www.blacktowerpublishers.com.ng

Nairaland General › See Why You Should Hire An Editor For Your Manuscript. by tunechi22(op): 1:09pm On Feb 26, 2017

Literature › MUST SEE: Book Review, Kingdom Tales (photos) by tunechi22(op): 3:21pm On Feb 17, 2017

[img]https://4.bp..com/-KFCuZACznOk/WJ77zJs3xXI/AAAAAAAAAK8/I1aWIcbq0EY991JKTn5uHib-c16akWpzgCLcB/s320/book-review-clipart-best-hlXlQG-clipart.jpeg[/img]

First of all, download Kingdom Tales Free (for a limited time) on Okadabooks http://okadabooks.com/book/about/kingdom_tales/13260

Kingdom Tales by Charles Umeire was first published in 2016. A lot of international audience has asked if it can be compared to George Orwell’s Animal Farm, and I strongly think so. I just re-read Animal Farm and Kingdom Tales, and the connection there is that they were both socio-political. Animal Farm was about Russian revolution, and Kingdom Tales was about Africa after the colonial rule. It’s theme and messages were very powerful and moving, and it’s going to be relevant to readers for a very long time.

Charles Umerie is still one of the most promising authors coming out from Nigeria, and his book, Kingdom Tales, is a dystopian nightmare of our time.

Kingdom Tales was set in ‘animal kingdom’, where the eagles lived in the mountain (Mountain Kingdom), the bats lived in the caves (Cave Kingdom), and the other animals like lions and dogs lived in the forest (Forest Kingdom). Each of the kingdoms represented a particular country in Africa.

[img]https://1.bp..com/-NLtim-enGIw/WJ77IBk_4jI/AAAAAAAAAK0/oV4MgRSX16sVq-ltyj6qlSan6D08yo44ACLcB/s320/1.jpg[/img]

It started when the eagles defeated the bats in some area of their kingdom, and secured the shrine that has the ‘dark staff’. This ‘dark staff’ means ‘independence’ or ‘freedom’ from colonial rule. In African folklore, a staff always signified authority or freedom.

After the eagle king, Hasha, defeated the bats, he got home and promoted his soldiers. This was when some African countries got their independence, and entrusted their own kinds to lead them. But that was short lived.

One of the soldiers King Hasha promoted worked against him and exiled him to another kingdom. That was a time of coups in the countries that just got their impendence.

But Uzza, the soldier that exiled King Hasha, made some deals, and the deals backfired. That made his rule far worse than thetime Hasha ruled them. Later Hasha made some deals with the bats, his former enemies, and the forest animals to overtake Uzza and regain his place as the rightful owner.

It worked, but the bats and forest animals weren’t satisfied with the deal. They too had some internal struggles they hoped King Hasha’s deal could help them solve, but it didn’t. When they figured the deal only benefitted King Hasha, they weren’t happy. They schemed up ways to get back at Hasha, and at the same time dealing with the issues that plagued them internally.

Kingdom Tales is a great book, and there is no need for the reader to understand any of the allusions to the African countries, leaders or the colonial masters as the story can be enjoyed as the simple, moving and enlightening parable it essentially is. A story that clearly shows humankind at its best and very worst. It highlighted the bad in every person – jealousy, greed, laziness and cruelty born of fear. It also has traces of medieval and African folklore in it which made it very interesting and new to read. It’s not like most books you find today. It’s totally something new with ancient wisdom in it.

The parable succeeded to show how independence dream can turn into a nightmare. Kingdom Tales is moving, sweet, bitter and a warning from history. And it’s a quick read too. It can only take about a few hours to finish. The continuation will be coming out soon like Charles promised, and he said the continuation will talk more about the internal struggles and genocides these countries faced. Well, anybody that has read Kingdom Tales would be very eager to see the continuation.
download Kingdom Tales Free (for a limited time) on Okadabooks http://okadabooks.com/book/about/kingdom_tales/13260

Nairaland General › See Why You Should Get Kingdom Tales On Okadabooks Now It's Still FREE! by tunechi22(op): 3:14pm On Feb 17, 2017

[img]https://4.bp..com/-2SfqnkWoDO4/WHe93wJ_heI/AAAAAAAAABM/zBPf29iCOCYgHnVjHdRlMOl3i68V46c6wCK4B/s320/classical_literature_Wallpaper_mtm4y.jpg[/img]

First of all, Download Kingdom Tales free on Okadabooks http://okadabooks.com/book/about/kingdom_tales/13260

Nigerian Literature has gone through some growth in history, and that growth led to the emergence of writers like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka whose impact are still felt today.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – described by Wikipedia as the most widely read book in modern literature. Achebe’s book came out in 1958 and gained world acclaim. So did Wole Soyinka’s works which got him the Nobel Prize in Literature and also making the first African to win it.

In more recent times, new writers like Chimamanda have emerged to carry the light and lead the way for Nigerian Literature; with their works portraying African struggles, myths and folklore. Unlike the old Nigerian literature, more universal books are out on the market.

During the old Nigerian literature days, books were so regional. Authors pointed out a certain region and only identified with it. Most of Achebe and Soyinka’s works delved into issues typical to only Igbo and Yoruba societies respectively.

But now, modern writers are doing amazing job uniting and putting out books that anyone from any part of the world can enjoy and still understand the main reason behind the book. One of those writers is Charles Umerie, the author Kingdom Tales.

[img]https://1.bp..com/-oiy_Wc75Eiw/WHe-bAnT8PI/AAAAAAAAABU/c2_oWk84z5AWJdRHGRPYa0gKAuqbZCajQCK4B/s320/1.png[/img]

It’s safe to say that Charles Umerie is putting the grease to the wheels of eBook publishing and fantasy fiction in Nigeria with his most recent book, Kingdom Tales. Fantasy Fiction is a genre most Nigerian writers always try to avoid, but Charles Umerie did an amazing job with Kingdom Tales.

Kingdom Tales has sold more internationally, and that won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has read Kingdom Tales. Charles Umerie gave it a little medieval and African feel, and he was conscious about identifying with a particular region; instead he identified with all regions. Anyone from anywhere reading Kingdom Tales can easily say, “Hey, that happens in my community too.” And no matter your age, you can read Kingdom Tales and totally understand it on your own mental level. Charles once said in an online interview that Kingdom Tales is deeper than most people think. It embodies love and hate, trust and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge, political injustice people face, and the spiritual tussle between good and evil.

Kingdom Tales is a dystopian allegory about a group animals fighting for supremacy and control over all the other animal kingdoms. Charles Umerie wrote the book as an allegory to the events that took place in Africa after the colonial rule has ended. That was a time Africa was plagued with wars, coups and genocides.

Charles retold the story using animal kingdoms as metaphor for the African nations.
It started when the eagle king, Hasha, came home from a long battle against the bats, and found out he had missed his family so much. The birth of his new twins made him to give up fighting, and he appointed a new general, Uzza, to help him run the kingdom.

General Uzza had a secret plan of his own. Behind king Hasha’s back, he engineered the execution of king Hasha’s close friend, Kayel, who he thought would be an obstacle to his secret plan.

When general Uzza’s plan was ready, he stormed king Hasha’s palace with the help of rebels terrorizing king Hasha’s kingdom. General Uzza managed to turn the kingdom officials against king Hasha, and they exiled the king to a kingdom they thought he wouldn’t survive living there.

Luckily for Hasha, he survived. He stayed in the kingdom and made new friends. When the time came, he started planning of way to get back his kingdom, even at the expense of working with his old enemies, and giving up secrets no one ever knew about.

It was written in an elegantly simple style, and the author, Charles, used the animal kingdoms as a metaphor for the African nations. The story started when King Hasha (Eagles’ king), the ruler of Mountain Kingdom defeated the Cave Kingdom (the Bats) in their quest for a legendary Dark Staff. In real life, this Dark Staff can be a total freedom or independence; because in African folklores, staffs always signify independence or having authority.

Then in the Mountain Kingdom (Eagles’ home), Charles made us to understand that even though the kingdom is strong, it still received support from the ‘creepy’ Falcons who aren’t part of the kingdom. This can be analyzed as the support most African nations got from their colonial masters, which they didn’t believe were genuine supports, rather as a way their masters hoped to exploit them more.

Also while the Mountain Kingdom, Cave Kingdom, and the Forest Kingdom were all searching for the Dark Staff (total freedom), they were also plagued with internal issues. King Hasha lost his throne to one of his soldiers, and was exiled to another kingdom for some time. Something of that nature also happened to the Bats’ king. This could be the time African nations were plagued with coups, civil wars and genocides.

After reading Kingdom Tales, you don’t need an expert to understand what society and injustice Charles was talking about.

There are other new writers that seem to be the way for Nigerian literature, but they need more attention than they get now. Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe are the foundations of Nigerian literature, but not the measurement for today.
Download Kingdom Tales free on Okadabooks http://okadabooks.com/book/about/kingdom_tales/13260

Nairaland General › See Why Kingdom Tales Could Be The Best Book By A Nigerian Author by tunechi22(op): 9:04am On Feb 12, 2017

[img]https://4.bp..com/-2SfqnkWoDO4/WHe93wJ_heI/AAAAAAAAABM/zBPf29iCOCYgHnVjHdRlMOl3i68V46c6wCK4B/s320/classical_literature_Wallpaper_mtm4y.jpg[/img]
Nigerian Literature has gone through some growth in history, and that growth led to the emergence of writers like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka whose impact are still felt today.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – described by Wikipedia as the most widely read book in modern literature. Achebe’s book came out in 1958 and gained world acclaim. So did Wole Soyinka’s works which got him the Nobel Prize in Literature and also making the first African to win it.

In more recent times, new writers like Chimamanda have emerged to carry the light and lead the way for Nigerian Literature; with their works portraying African struggles, myths and folklore. Unlike the old Nigerian literature, more universal books are out on the market.

During the old Nigerian literature days, books were so regional. Authors pointed out a certain region and only identified with it. Most of Achebe and Soyinka’s works delved into issues typical to only Igbo and Yoruba societies respectively.

But now, modern writers are doing amazing job uniting and putting out books that anyone from any part of the world can enjoy and still understand the main reason behind the book. One of those writers is Charles Umerie, the author Kingdom Tales.

[img]https://1.bp..com/-oiy_Wc75Eiw/WHe-bAnT8PI/AAAAAAAAABU/c2_oWk84z5AWJdRHGRPYa0gKAuqbZCajQCK4B/s320/1.png[/img]
Get Kingdom Tales free on your mobile! www.lulu.com/spotlight/charlesumerie
It’s safe to say that Charles Umerie is putting the grease to the wheels of eBook publishing and fantasy fiction in Nigeria with his most recent book, Kingdom Tales. Fantasy Fiction is a genre most Nigerian writers always try to avoid, but Charles Umerie did an amazing job with Kingdom Tales.

Kingdom Tales has sold more internationally, and that won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has read Kingdom Tales. Charles Umerie gave it a little medieval and African feel, and he was conscious about identifying with a particular region; instead he identified with all regions. Anyone from anywhere reading Kingdom Tales can easily say, “Hey, that happens in my community too.” And no matter your age, you can read Kingdom Tales and totally understand it on your own mental level. Charles once said in an online interview that Kingdom Tales is deeper than most people think. It embodies love and hate, trust and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge, political injustice people face, and the spiritual tussle between good and evil.

Kingdom Tales is a dystopian allegory about a group animals fighting for supremacy and control over all the other animal kingdoms. Charles Umerie wrote the book as an allegory to the events that took place in Africa after the colonial rule has ended. That was a time Africa was plagued with wars, coups and genocides.

Charles retold the story using animal kingdoms as metaphor for the African nations.
It started when the eagle king, Hasha, came home from a long battle against the bats, and found out he had missed his family so much. The birth of his new twins made him to give up fighting, and he appointed a new general, Uzza, to help him run the kingdom.

General Uzza had a secret plan of his own. Behind king Hasha’s back, he engineered the execution of king Hasha’s close friend, Kayel, who he thought would be an obstacle to his secret plan.

When general Uzza’s plan was ready, he stormed king Hasha’s palace with the help of rebels terrorizing king Hasha’s kingdom. General Uzza managed to turn the kingdom officials against king Hasha, and they exiled the king to a kingdom they thought he wouldn’t survive living there.

Luckily for Hasha, he survived. He stayed in the kingdom and made new friends. When the time came, he started planning of way to get back his kingdom, even at the expense of working with his old enemies, and giving up secrets no one ever knew about.

It was written in an elegantly simple style, and the author, Charles, used the animal kingdoms as a metaphor for the African nations. The story started when King Hasha (Eagles’ king), the ruler of Mountain Kingdom defeated the Cave Kingdom (the Bats) in their quest for a legendary Dark Staff. In real life, this Dark Staff can be a total freedom or independence; because in African folklores, staffs always signify independence or having authority.

Then in the Mountain Kingdom (Eagles’ home), Charles made us to understand that even though the kingdom is strong, it still received support from the ‘creepy’ Falcons who aren’t part of the kingdom. This can be analyzed as the support most African nations got from their colonial masters, which they didn’t believe were genuine supports, rather as a way their masters hoped to exploit them more.

Also while the Mountain Kingdom, Cave Kingdom, and the Forest Kingdom were all searching for the Dark Staff (total freedom), they were also plagued with internal issues. King Hasha lost his throne to one of his soldiers, and was exiled to another kingdom for some time. Something of that nature also happened to the Bats’ king. This could be the time African nations were plagued with coups, civil wars and genocides.

After reading Kingdom Tales, you don’t need an expert to understand what society and injustice Charles was talking about.

There are other new writers that seem to be the way for Nigerian literature, but they need more attention than they get now. Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe are the foundations of Nigerian literature, but not the measurement for today.
http://dorasarena..com.ng/2017/02/book-review-kingdom-tales-by-charles.html

Literature › Book Review: Kingdom Tales By Charles Umerie by tunechi22(op): 8:43am On Feb 12, 2017

[img]https://4.bp..com/-KFCuZACznOk/WJ77zJs3xXI/AAAAAAAAAK8/I1aWIcbq0EY991JKTn5uHib-c16akWpzgCLcB/s320/book-review-clipart-best-hlXlQG-clipart.jpeg[/img]

Kingdom Tales by Charles Umeire was first published in 2016. A lot of international audience has asked if it can be compared to George Orwell’s Animal Farm, and I strongly think so. I just re-read Animal Farm and Kingdom Tales, and the connection there is that they were both socio-political. Animal Farm was about Russian revolution, and Kingdom Tales was about Africa after the colonial rule. It’s theme and messages were very powerful and moving, and it’s going to be relevant to readers for a very long time.

Charles Umerie is still one of the most promising authors coming out from Nigeria, and his book, Kingdom Tales, is a dystopian nightmare of our time.

Kingdom Tales was set in ‘animal kingdom’, where the eagles lived in the mountain (Mountain Kingdom), the bats lived in the caves (Cave Kingdom), and the other animals like lions and dogs lived in the forest (Forest Kingdom). Each of the kingdoms represented a particular country in Africa.

[img]https://1.bp..com/-NLtim-enGIw/WJ77IBk_4jI/AAAAAAAAAK0/oV4MgRSX16sVq-ltyj6qlSan6D08yo44ACLcB/s320/1.jpg[/img]

It started when the eagles defeated the bats in some area of their kingdom, and secured the shrine that has the ‘dark staff’. This ‘dark staff’ means ‘independence’ or ‘freedom’ from colonial rule. In African folklore, a staff always signified authority or freedom.

After the eagle king, Hasha, defeated the bats, he got home and promoted his soldiers. This was when some African countries got their independence, and entrusted their own kinds to lead them. But that was short lived.

One of the soldiers King Hasha promoted worked against him and exiled him to another kingdom. That was a time of coups in the countries that just got their impendence.

But Uzza, the soldier that exiled King Hasha, made some deals, and the deals backfired. That made his rule far worse than thetime Hasha ruled them. Later Hasha made some deals with the bats, his former enemies, and the forest animals to overtake Uzza and regain his place as the rightful owner.

It worked, but the bats and forest animals weren’t satisfied with the deal. They too had some internal struggles they hoped King Hasha’s deal could help them solve, but it didn’t. When they figured the deal only benefitted King Hasha, they weren’t happy. They schemed up ways to get back at Hasha, and at the same time dealing with the issues that plagued them internally.

Kingdom Tales is a great book, and there is no need for the reader to understand any of the allusions to the African countries, leaders or the colonial masters as the story can be enjoyed as the simple, moving and enlightening parable it essentially is. A story that clearly shows humankind at its best and very worst. It highlighted the bad in every person – jealousy, greed, laziness and cruelty born of fear. It also has traces of medieval and African folklore in it which made it very interesting and new to read. It’s not like most books you find today. It’s totally something new with ancient wisdom in it.

The parable succeeded to show how independence dream can turn into a nightmare. Kingdom Tales is moving, sweet, bitter and a warning from history. And it’s a quick read too. It can only take about a few hours to finish. The continuation will be coming out soon like Charles promised, and he said the continuation will talk more about the internal struggles and genocides these countries faced. Well, anybody that has read Kingdom Tales would be very eager to see the continuation.
Get Kingdom Tales on Amazon Kindle
Get Kingdom Tales on Lulu free!
http://dorasarena..com.ng/2017/02/book-review-kingdom-tales-by-charles.html

1 2 (of 2 pages)