THE number of Zimbabwean authors publishing online keeps increasing by the day as they seek to evade challenges dogging the industry. BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER
Among many others, Tofara Dube has become the latest to publish online with his novel Africa Ahead.
According to Amazon, one of the online publishers of the book, Africa Ahead is about the racial discrimination that is suffered by Africans.
“The book blames this unfortunate state of affairs on a lower level of civilisation in this world as compared to the general thinking that the world became civilised centuries ago,” reads a statement on Amazon.
“This book suggests that the solution lies in raising the levels of the world’s civilisation.
“It is a must read for every person of African origin, while being an interesting reading for the Caucasian who is into this type of discourse.”
While one of the reasons for local authors to engage online publishers is embracing technology, Ignatius Mabasa, a renowned author, believes there are numerous other factors.
The award-winning writer said it is mainly to do with lack of response by the local publishing industry to both new and old writers.
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“It is a vote of no confidence on the local publishing industry,” Mabasa said.
“Publishing online is a good marketing tool as writers may be able to capitalise on the huge Diaspora market.
“People are longing to find a way to connect with home.”
Mabasa said selling online affords the writer more control as the contracts are not restrictive unlike publishing locally where they get a paltry percentage of royalties as low as 10%.
He lamented book piracy which with technology has become easier and more vibrant at the detriment of writers.
“Photocopiers have become smarter and where a book would cost between $10 and $15 one can make a copy for as little as $3 while making a profit with the least of investment,” Mabasa said.
Dube concurred with Mabasa and said it was easier to publish online.
“I have always been a gadgets person and I found it easier to publish online,” Dube said.
“It is more difficult to achieve the printed route as there are several costs that one has to incur without even the knowledge of whether or not it will sell.
“With e-book, there is an option of self-publishing. For instance, I finished writing my book at 2pm and 30 minutes later Amazon had confirmed they received the book. At midnight, the book was published.”
