Anyango Aketch, 40, is a teacher, poet and an author of seven books. She is currently pursuing a PhD degree in Literature at Mount Kenya University. She shares the joys and pains of being a self-publisher.
When did you write your first book?
You have seven titles under your belt, what are the books about?
My target audience is young adults because this is a group that is transitioning and yearning to know more about life. Also, this is the period of my life that I write most about because it is when I got a better understanding of different aspects of life.
How did your childhood shape you into the writer you are today?
A great lesson that I have learned is that you cannot be a good writer if you don’t read extensively. Five of my titles are poetry books. I have also written a novella called Beautiful Mathilda which is about high school struggles like peer pressure, drug abuse and teen pregnancy. The Haunted Flute is a memoir about my intimate relationships.
You’re a teacher, mother, poet and student. When do you get time to write?
Has writing made you a better teacher?
As a self-published author, what would you want readers to know?
The other obstacle that comes with self-publishing is marketing. It is possible to write a great book and end up with hundreds of copies you can’t sell. With my first book, I didn’t know much about marketing. I depended on my colleagues and friends to buy the book and recommend it to other people. I sold just a few copies and remained with dozens of books. I had to strategise and acquire marketing skills. Now, thanks to social media, my market is growing.
The good thing about self-publishing is that you decide the cost of your books and take home the profits earned. Also, you determine when you want the books to come out.
What are some of the unethical practices in the publishing industry?
What is the best money you ever spent as a writer?
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
What is your message to a young person aspiring to write and publish a book?
