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Johnathan Paoli
The Inside Education Foundation launched the Virtual Literary Festival on Friday morning at its offices in Midrand, under the theme “our stories, our heritage – exploring alternatives to publishing and storytelling”, the event being sponsored by the National Arts Council.
Three authors were invited, namely Emmaculate Cindi, on her newly published book called In a Killer’s Shadow; Sihle Qwabe on his recent novel Resurrection, and Hosea Ramphekwa on his three works; Gifted, Hunted and Haunted; Way to Visit and Yellow Bone with a Black Heart; moderated by famous novelist Lucas Ledwaba.
The panel discussed the growth of the publishing industry and landscape within the country, and called for the need to understand stories as told by African people for African people.
During the panel discussion, Cindi admitted to the struggles faced by writers in getting the appropriate publisher and support in facilitating a new work, whether fiction or nonfiction.
She thanked both Hosea and Ledwaba for their assistance in designing the cover-page and coming up with the title of the book (In a Killer’s Shadow).
Cindi said that she wrote her book based on her own experiences in life, namely a deep rejection from her paternal family, and the depression which it caused, ultimately culminating in three suicide attempts.
“I wanted to document my own struggle, in my own way in order to be the woman I am today,” Cindi said.
She said that she wanted to inspire young writers to document and express their circumstances, and despite the challenges of growing up without a father, as well as the challenges faced by single mothers, there remained no choice but to survive and make something of oneself.
Sihle Qwabe was born in a small village in KwaZulu-Natal and now lives in Johannesburg and said that despite attaining a Public Relations Diploma, he ended up battling financially and worked in retail, before publishing his first novel, Resurrection, last year.
Qwabe said he was inspired by Alan Paton’s Cry the Beloved Country, in his quest to create a world in which readers could become consumed, offering relief from their day-to-day struggles.
“You need to believe in your own craft and don’t let people tell you what you can, what you can’t and how to do what you do,” he said.
Ramphekwa, who authored three books, called on the government to significantly increase the support to help authors create and sustain their careers, in light of the difficulties many face in the country.
He advised aspirant writers to read and write everyday in order to maintain a healthy relationship with words; and further said that young authors should research the publishing industry in order to find an appropriate publisher that could match their vision.
He acknowledged the fundamental importance of support, and said that a successful publication did not simply rely on skills of writing, but on a broader network of relationships and innovative awareness.
“I am inspired by the fact that I have little talent, and that my success was as a result of the grace of God and all the people who supported me,” Ramphekwa said.
Moderator Ledwaba called on young authors to fully take advantage of all opportunities, no matter how small they might be, and said that how writers represent themselves to society could prove a useful tool.
“When I’m writing, I’m an author, but after writing, I’m a marketer, a businessman,” he said
Ledwaba said writing does not end with publishing, considering its a lifetime connection to the author, and marketing oneself to people never ends.
INSIDE EDUCATION
