Self-publishing. Who is really making the money?

Contributor

What you need to know:

Is self-publishing a craze that will soon fizzle out because it's not economically viable?
Nation Lifestyle spoke to young authors and the founder of Nuria Store in Nairobi which has over 1,000 self-published titles in a podcast linked to this article.

There is an increase in the number of young authors self-publishing in Kenya. But are the books being bought? Is self-publishing a craze that will soon fizzle out because it's not economically viable?

Are bookshops stocking the self-published books? Are these young authors making money from selling self-published books or is it just to tick a box that at a certain age I wrote a book?

My literary odyssey began with "Simu ya Ajabu na Hadithi Nyingine," a Swahili anthology that I co-edited with Brian Oigara. The anthology paints a vivid tapestry of tales. It marked my entry into the world of publishing.
Thereafter, I wrote guides for two textbooks: "Chozi la Heri" and "Mapambazuko ya Machweo na Hadithi Nyingine." These books allowed me to delve deeper into the world of storytelling and develop the characters in the book.
However, writing is not without challenges. The craft demands time, unwavering commitment, and creativity, which sometimes can be elusive. Writing itself is also a solitary endeavour.
There is also self-doubt. There were times that I questioned whether my stories were worth sharing with the world.
Balancing the demanding role of a teacher with my passion for writing was yet another challenge. I would write in the evening before I sleep or when I get breaks from teaching.
While writing, sometimes you lose creativity or find it hard to get a perfect ending to the story. When this happens, I let my thoughts wander, and soon, the short story morphs into a thrilling novel.
When I started looking for publishers, I encountered delays, some were unresponsive, challenges that tested my resolve. How you face obstacles defines your final story.

My debut book, "Uncertainty of Love", has been published recently, marking a significant milestone in my writing career. I began writing in 2017.
I was 18 years old when I sought solace in writing. It started with me pouring out my thoughts whenever I found myself alone at my uncle's house in Webuye, Bungoma County on an exercise book. Nothing fancy. I had just finished high school.
When I joined college, the writing took a backseat. It was not until 2021 that I felt an overwhelming urge to write again.
My book is a personal narrative of my quest to find true love, even as I struggled with self-love.
I write about my experiences, relationship trials, lessons learned, and aspirations for marriage. My inspiration to write this book was born from my struggles to heal from heartbreak and the mistakes I made in subsequent relationships.

I have written Kiswahili children's books, "Kito cha Ushairi," "Siri Kali na Hadithi Nyingine," "Harufu ya Jehanamu na Hadithi Nyingine" and "Bakora ya Ushirikina na Hadithi Nyingine."'
The stories not only teach Swahili but also encourage young learners to engage with their communities and the world around them.
The biggest challenge I faced was the notorious writer's block.
To overcome this, I started creating summaries of the intended content, acting as a guiding compass to keep me on track.
Sometimes, late at night, an idea would pop up disrupting my sleep. I could type them on my phone so that I do not forget and transfer them to my computer in the morning. Also, setting daily word count targets helped me build discipline.
Like many young writers, I experienced self-doubt. The possibility of ever being published seemed impossible.

My book, "Mastering the Treasure of Singleness" is all about helping young people discover the hidden treasures of singlehood. Singlehood is not a mere waiting period but a time to discover your life's purpose. I believe that we are designed to find our true calling before entering a committed relationship like marriage.
The book also guides on how to disconnect from relationships that have no purpose.
When I began writing, I did not have a laptop or desktop. But ideas and thoughts kept flowing. I then realised that resources follow the vision. I bought a book and a pen and started writing, believing that I would get a computer along the way.
Yes, there was a moment when I doubted whether I could gather enough content for a serious book, as I did not want it to be just a booklet. To overcome this self-doubt, I turned to prayer and extensive reading.
It took me six years to complete the writing and editing. I published the book in the seventh year. I began writing while I was in my fourth year of university. I had classes to attend and other responsibilities, like being a leader in the Christian Union.

Weekend

Self-publishing. Who is really making the money?

What you need to know:

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