Nigeria’s publishing houses’re the worst on earth –Udagbor

Godwin Cornelius Udagbor is the author of Bena’s Dream Comes True; Cry of the Forest, and many unpublished literary fictions. In this interview with PAUL OKAH, he says he cashes into the business side of social media to sustain himself as a professional writer, even as he alleges that Nigerian publishers don’t encourage writers.

Background

I am the first child of the legendary policeman, the late Inspector Cornelius Adogo Udagbor. I studied Biochemistry in the University of Calabar. I am a born Ochagbe writer in Afrike 2, Bekwarra local government area of Cross River state. Though I started writing from when I learnt how to read, my writing became prominent during my junior secondary school days at the famous Government Secondary School, Afikpo (GSSA), Ebonyi state. In fact, my high scores in the English Language and the accolades I usually receive from policemen then at Afikpo divisional police headquarters helped in moulding my early literary career. I have been writing for the past fourteen years and I have published a plethora of articles and letters in different newspapers in Nigeria. One of my articles: “Why Nigerian writers leave home” was published in Ebonyi Patriot Newspapers in 2017. In 2010, I became the first Editor-in-Chief of Conscience Magazine, University of Calabar, a publication of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), St Paul’s Catholic Church, University of Calabar. Also, as a youth corps member in Kogi state, I initiated a press club in Wesley High School, Ifeolokotun, Yagba East in Kogi state. The club moulded many of the students into very meaningful Nigerians today and I succeeded in writing my name in the hearts of Ifeolokotun people. Nevertheless, I was never a known writer until 2018. In fact, 2018 was an opening salvo in my literary career. It was the desire, hunger and the thirst for more knowledge offered in my creative works that brought me to limelight in July 2018. 

What influences your writing style?

I read a handful of novels from great writers like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Cyprian Ekwensi, William Shakespeare, and other writers. After my junior secondary school exams, which is popularly known as Junior WAEC, I majored in the sciences. Now, there was no longer time for luxury reading when you have Complex Calculation in Physics by PN Okeke to dissect and laboratory practicals to do. I think what influenced my style of writing was the works of Achebe, especially the style he employed in his writings. So, I am a contemporary African fiction writer. My works are very epical and full of traditional settings. My themes usually come with this surreal aura which make them first, specific portrait of black narrative. I find the prose fiction less cumbersome or less tedious to communicate my thoughts.

How many books have you written/published?

 I have written five books, but have only published two. I have published Bena’s Dream Comes True (2014) and Cry of the Forest (2017). However, Accidental Biochemist, Akwaji the Daughter of Omashi and Legacy of a Good Father are yet to be published. Bena’s Dream Comes True is a story that tells about a village boy from an economically disadvantaged home. He later got a scholarship after an excellent performance in his First School Leaving Certificate examination, to study in Ijere Community High School. Did Bena’s Dream Come True? Find out what happened after he fell in love with a girl in his class. Also, Cry of the Forest is a contemporary African fiction. The book talks about the place of polygamy in the face of civilisation. Since 2018, my two books Bena’s Dream Comes True and Cry of the Forest have turned me into a creature with wings. So, I flew into the life of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s sub-committee during the launching event of his book My Transition Hours and also into the bookshelf of Daily Trust Newspapers twice. I did not perch there. The studio of Love FM 104.5 invited me, Radio Nigeria received me and numerous popular online blogsites, both in Nigeria and outside the country, have hosted me. I am a recipient of the Diplomatic Certificate Version II from World Bank in the 2010 International Essay Competition. I am also a member of more than 170 online groups for writers. I am also the coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Abuja chapter.

Can you talk about your unpublished books?

 For now, I have not published any book to reflect my field of study, but I intend to write an epic science fiction soon, then my discipline biochemistry will come to play. Accidental Biochemist is my autobiography. It is a long term project, so I am taking time to write it as events unfold. Legacy of a Good Father is the biography of my late father. It would be ten years by next year since he left us, so the book is coming out by next year as we are planning his death anniversary. Also, Akwaji the Daughter of Omashi is a social novel about poor orphans and the wrong decisions they make in life.

Aren’t you discouraged by the poor reading culture in Nigeria?

No, I am not. As a positive social agent and transformer, we must continue to work to change the poor attitude to reading of our people. We must let them know that no nation in this 21st century can prosper in the shackles of illiteracy. Personally, social media is a blessing; when we harness it well. If not for social media, I wouldn’t have sold an e-copy of my short story, Cry of the Forest in hundreds of dollars to an American lady from Florida. She is a lover of African epics and she is also one of my fans.

Another lady bought it for 20 dollars; an Indian woman based in California. Therefore, in the comfort of our homes, we are connecting to thousands of other writers, readers and literary enthusiasts all over the world. In fact, I recently got two reviews for my short story, Cry of the Forest, from two Indian literary giants: who read about the book online at https://okadabooks.com/user/sirgodwinson. Also, I met my wife on Facebook. She read through Cry of the Forest and, in a bid to know the author, her inquisition birthed love. Fortunately, we are from the same village, so we fell in love and wedded on December 7, 2019. Being newly married, my wife does not encourage my relying solely on writing as a source of livelihood. 

Wisdom demands that we expand our tentacles. As a result, we just launched our writing consulting firm, ICA & Sons Books Resources (Inspector Adogo & Sons Books Resources). As an accountant, she will manage it. We are still growing.

So, are e-books are better than hard copies?

Well, it depends. I am not really encouraged by sales of my e-books and cannot rely solely on it. If you must know, nothing sells more than the hard copies. In Nigeria, the hard copies are still very preferable. I am working towards having my books in schools across the country. My literary agent has approached meaningful educational institutions in the country for the approval of my two books and hopefully they would be used in schools soon across the country. Readers can access my published books in bookshops across the country. They can also reach my agent through 08037966204 or [email protected].

You recently revealed that your manuscript was rejected by a foreign publisher; can you give details?

 Around October last year, I was invited by Radio Nigeria to talk about Cry of the Forest. After that interview, an American writer listened to it in the US and she decided to contact me through my Facebook handle. Her name is Ellen Stoecker. She requested that she would like me to review her book: The Afrikan Feral Cats of Sullivan’s Island. After the review, her publishers, Covenantbooks, got interested in me and asked that a synopsis of my two books should be submitted to them. After a meeting with my lawyer, the manuscripts were dully submitted. Unfortunately, I was to be informed later that they could no longer go ahead with the publishing deal because I was tagged in an unscrupulous facebook post by a veteran journalist, and the post was inciting. It was about the xenophobic attack in South Africa. However, I am not discouraged. I believe the best is yet to come.

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years as a writer?

I want to be that writer that will rock the international literary stage with lots of laurels and prizes, probably a global voice as regards literature, politics and international diplomatic mishaps. My favourite authors in Nigeria and abroad are: Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka,  Chisom Ezugwu (author of Nelly My Pride), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Izunna Okafor, Toni Morrison, William Shakespeare, J K Rowlings, Ngugi wa Thiong’O, Elechi Amadi and J.P. Clark-Bekederemo. Writing is a money spinning venture which in Africa, especially Nigeria, has not been taken seriously. Britain’s J.K Rowlings is a billionaire author. What stops any author from becoming as rich as J.K. Rowlings? If only we can pitch our tents well, we should enjoy the nobility in the profession. I have had massive publicity as a writer. My works have been featured in leading newspapers in Nigeria. My candid advice to aspiring writers is that they should hold on to their dreams. They should keep reading, keep writing and keep submitting their works for reviews, prizes and lots more.

Do you have an alternative source of livelihood?

Not really. My kind of work and ways to earn a living revolve around writing. Writers are very eccentric, especially creative writers. I am a lover of books. Many times, I stay indoors: reading and writing. However, in the midst of my busy schedules to churn out new works, I still find time to attend meetings and relate with some friends. I am a very simple person by nature and I give room to young friends who may want to have discussions with me.

Have you faced rejections by Nigerian publishers?

Yes, I have. In fact, a publisher once turned down my novella Bena’s Dream Comes True, which almost killed my spirit as a writer. I have enjoyed iconic publicity as a writer both locally and internationally. However, behind every success story, there is a historical background. My worst moments as a writer happened at different times. First in 2013, when I did a self-publishing of Bena’s Dream Comes True. The publisher used the money I gave him for the printing of 1,000 copies of the book for something else, which led to our ending up at the police station.

Another low moment for me as a writer was when an Abuja publisher turned down my two books. The incident affected my plans to compete for the 2019 Cain’s Prize for African writing.

Will you say publishers encourage Nigerian writers?

Nigeria has the worst publishing houses on earth. Literary publication is very slim in Africa and Nigeria has nothing to write home about; not to even talk of encouraging her writer. The few top ones have gone out of business, due to mismanagement, while the new ones only bear the name and are solely into self-publishing. Traditional publishing has no place here. Literacy is pivotal to the growth of any nation. So, the quality of books her writers would publish has a long way in shaping the people. The situation is beyond just about greedy publishers: the government must put hands on deck to rebuild this industry. It will not only encourage writers, our brightest of writers in the US, UK, and other parts of the universe would now come back home to contribute in terms of socio-political and intellectual advancement of the country. Publishing can be revived in Nigeria if only we begin to have the right attitude to do the needful. Also, a quality educational system that is concerned with the kind of book produced by publishers in the country would go a long way to improve reading. This should not be left in the hands of private individuals alone.

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