KAROI-BASED poet and author David Murambwi is among the many local writers who are struggling in the book publishing sector due to financial constraints.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking to NewsDay, Murambwi, who is seeking assistance to publish his booklets, lamented lack of sponsorship to uplift upcoming writers to establish their works.
“Sponsorship challenges continue to negatively affect talented upcoming writers who are struggling to accomplish their targeted goals of publishing their projects,” Murambwi said.
The 37-year-old Murambwi said he was passionate about children, hence his works were relevant to primary schools.
“My booklets focus on skill development on composition and creative writing for primary level,” Murambwi said.
“The stories in the booklets are short and precise linking the children’s daily experiences in the African society.”
Murambwi said he needed to publish about 5 000 copies for a start.
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“I am living with disability [stroke] and do not do physical work, but it is proving to be hard for me to market my booklets in a way that will bring food on the table,” Murambwi said.
His works have been auditioned and approved for community and school consumption by the Ministry of Education.
“I started writing books in 1984 while I was in Grade 5 at Mhende Primary School in Mvuma and to date, I have compiled more than 480 children booklets and 40 poem booklets,” Murambwi said.
While upcoming writers were struggling to get sponsorship, the crippling economy had also not spared renowned authors.
Recently, veteran actor-cum-author Enock Chihombori said he was eyeing the regional market for his recently released children’s books in Botswana and Kenya rather than selling them locally because of rampant piracy in the country.
