Lungile Sonjini self-publishes his second book
The Uncle Sbu book is based on an uncle and his nephew trying to adjust living together and getting to know one another.
Lungile Sonjini (30) from eMalahleni section finally published his second book titled Uncle Sbu in February, after years of waiting.
He said he wrote his book on paper and would go to the library to type it up. Sonjini said he self-published the book after not getting a publisher.
“The library is where I go to most of the time. That is how I ended up writing. Towards the end of 2018, I had a manuscript. I also got a scholarship at the end of 2018 to study for an MA in creative writing at Rhodes University,” explained Sonjini.
He said when he was at Rhodes University, he looked for publishers.
“I had to wait for the whole of 2019 for publishers to get back to me. I became frustrated because I spent a year writing a book and spent another waiting for the publishers to get back to me.
“At the beginning of the year, I decided to do everything for myself. I did the cover, the layout and editing and told myself that when I get money I will self-publish and market my own book,” said Sonjini.
Sonjini said his first book was published in 2011 by a lecturer called Fouad Asfour who owned Pole Pole Press.
“The money Asfour used to publish my first book came from a German foundation, as he didn’t have much funds to publish the book.”
Sonjini said he had always known from an early age that he wanted to become an author. He said he was a bookworm and enjoyed going to the library to read.
“Uncle Sbu is a humour novel. It has two male characters, an uncle who is old and retiring, living in the suburbs. His seven-year-old nephew, Vusi, comes to live with him. They try to adjust and get to know one another,” he said.
“I wanted to create a space where the nephew could ask whatever he wanted from his uncle,” added Sonjini.
He said he is thankful to the people who support him and push him to write. He explained that his book is for all ages since it is humorous.
“So far, the community has shown me their support and mostly those who have bought my book recommended it to their children. The feedback has been quite positive,” concluded Sonjini.
