Full time career in writing is an
aspiration shared by many Zimbabwean writers. Except for a few whose works become prescribed textbooks, most
writers in Zimbabwe have been
disappointed by the unprofitability of
their writing. Fiction writers who choose self- publishing have found it even
harder to generate income from sales of their books. Those who distribute their books through bookshops
have been as disappointed as those who published through reputable local or foreign book publishers when they
have to accept the reasons given for not
receiving any royalties from the sale of their books. This reality has forced
some writers to remain in the writing -as- a -hobby frame of mind which is in
itself a major stumbling block to creative writing. It is therefore necessary
to look for ways of ensuring that talented writers make their writing careers
viable. The following are some of the ways
worth considering.
First, all published writers, especial
fiction writers, must turn themselves into mobile bookshops for their own
books. This entails negotiating with publishers
for an arrangement where the writers
are issued with copies of their books at the authors discount
and in which they proceed to sell their books and get the
type of commission booksellers would
have required. Alternatively, the author buys his or her books at
authors discount and proceeds to sell the books with a
mark up which book sellers would
have allowed. This arrangement ensures that the writer uses all occasions to sell his or her books. This is
an approach of taking books to the people. I have personally sold many of my
own books and of fellow writers at international cultural events at home and
abroad.
Second, during the Zimbabwe
International Book Fair and other book fairs such as in Bulawayo and Mutare and industry and trade fairs and agricultural
shows, writers could mount exhibition stands and sell their books. The experience of the Writers
Collective which in the last
two years has mounted a
stand at the Zimbabwe International
Book Fair to exhibit and sell books mainly by self-published writers has been good. The presence of authors at the stand who autograph copies bought
is a major marketing tool. Some writers had
to take people looking for their books to their publishers stands.
Third, writers must take advantage of
the multiplicity of newspapers and magazines
in the country- a phenomenon that has been followed by the birth of two
commercial radio channels, to write for these publications and radio channel. Writers must take up the
challenge to become columnist or regular correspondents. They must approach
editors of the newspapers and magazine to indicate subjects they would like to
write about as well as research they would like to undertake in order to
produce features that could be considered for publication. Radio and the
television channels need to be approached by writers who indicate what they
can write for them
especially drama.
Fourth, a number of theatre groups are
beginning to look for scripts which they can present to corporations, development
organisations and agencies for
promotional and developmental
campaigns. Writers with interest in scripting drama for radio, stage and
television should seek partnership or collaborations with theatre groups so as
to secure writing assignment. Writers should also approach actors whom they
have see in stage and television productions
and offer to write plays which they can present to producers for commercial
theatre. Writers could also approach theatre producers with their scripts and indicate
the actors they had in mind when
writing the plays.. Writers of such plays are paid once off fee and a
percentage of gate -takings whenever
their plays are performed. There
is strong feeling that among actors,
directors and producers in Zimbabwean
theatre that the shortage of scripts is one of the major challenges being
faced.
Fifth, writers should approach
corporations, development organisations, governments departments and institutions with offers to write
articles, dramas or documentaries about
them, their campaigns and concerns. The
area of environment and sustainable development
is as potent for engagement of
writers as areas and issues to do with health issues. Coming up with scripts
for plays about International days that are celebrated in Zimbabwe is one
strategy that writers
should consider. The writers would be expected to go international organisations concerned with the commemoration of such days. Writers
could give theatre groups their scripts so that the theatre groups themselves
would approach agencies and organizations concerned with the celebrations of
the international days.
Sixth, the recent developments in the
production of computer generated animations
has brought about the need for
collaborations between writers and film makers( animators) Writers with good
stories for animation are essential and being sought after. Writers
associations can help bring about this collaboration by inviting film makers
especially those involved in production
of animations to dialogue and establish the requisite collaboration..
Lastly, many visitors to the Writers
Collective stand at the Zimbabwe
International Book Fair, this year asked for children’s story books in indigenous languages. One pre-school owner
indicated that writers of such books would be expected to visit pre-school centers with their
books as well as finding out what children’s books such centres require..
I sincerely hope that these ideas are
worth considering.
THANK YOU
+ Paper presented at the Zimbabwe
Writers Association (ZWA) meeting: Harare, September 1, 2012
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