Nigerian digital entrepreneur and 2010 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize finalist Abidemi Sanusi has launched a Website dedicated to helping writers to monetize and improve their art through freelance work, writing courses and business tips.
The site, abidemi.tv, offers free writing courses, publishing advice, branding tips and a host of other services specifically tailored to suit the needs of writers. “The website is a haven for anyone looking to unleash their inner Bronte,” Sanusi said. “It is also packed with practical tips and guidance for anyone looking to have a successful freelance writing life. As a veteran author and freelancer, I know how hard it can be to get good advice on writing and the business of writing. This website is the answer to both challenges.”
She continued: “I’m often told that the name is a ‘branding nightmare,’ but I wanted a brand name that represented my values. After much wrestling, I figured that if it was good enough for Dyson and Samsung, then, my Nigerian name (and heritage) should be good enough as my business name.”
Abidemi Sanusi’s novel, Eyo, was shortlisted for the 2010 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. The book focuses on an illiterate 10-year-old girl who is trafficked to the UK with promises of a better life, and follows her five-year journey as a domestic servant in the UK, passed from one human trafficker to another, often attempting to escape. Eventually, she is rescued only to realise that even in freedom, society demands an exacting price from those it should protect.
“[This] Website is a celebration and recognition of my British and African values, and is directly targeted at anyone with an interest in writing and the business of writing,” Sanusi stated in an email to Brittle Paper. “I look forward to the day when BAME individuals wouldn’t feel the need to go ‘full English’ with their name to be taken seriously as creatives.”
You can check out the Website and absorb all of its cool features at Abidemi.tv.
About the Reporter:
Kanyinsola Olorunnisola is a poet, essayist and fiction writer and founder of SPRINNG literary movement. He writes from Ibadan, Nigeria. His writings border on the themes of unease, racism, colonialism, terror and all things familiar to the black folk. He describes his art as that specialized literary alchemy which aims to extract beauty from the frail commonplaceness of words. His experimental works have appeared on such platforms as TUCK Magazine, Brittle Paper, Kalahari Review, Bombay Review, Lunaris Review, African Writer, Sprinng.org, Authorpedia, Parousia Magazine and Sampad International Journal. He was the 2016 recipient of the Albert Jungers Poetry Prize.
Rumona November 14, 2017 13:21
I finally met her, the woman who caused me to miss a class in 2012, I locked myself in my room just to finish reading Eyo. The woman who made Shiro, my then-roommate to say to me " if you could be reading the bible as you are reading this book, you would be in heaven right now!", Abidemi is one talented writer! And that is a great initiative!