Getting aspiring writers to put pen to paper in Dobsonville
“Gone are the days when a writer would submit a manuscript to a mainstream publisher for eight months hoping that they would endorse their talent."
Touch Motive Consulting (TMC), Sterling Media and Letsobe Communications hosted a successful writers workshop at th Kopanong Community Centre in Dobsonville. The workshop was packed with aspiring writers eager to find out more about publishing.
TMC managing director, Lesego Tau said the workshop wanted to shatter the myth that only a select few writers’ work was worth publishing by introducing aspiring writers to alternative publishing models.
He said, “The workshop also gave aspiring writers a platform and expose them to an alternative way of seeing their work published and the ability to tell their stories in their own voice.
“The workshop helps to eradicate the myth that the best way of hiding information for Africans is to hide it inside a book.”
He continued by adding that the workshop’s objective was to unpack the hidden secretes of self-publishing and to remind writers that there is nothing technical about publishing their work.
Tau reminded aspiring writers that they should first make a financial commitment towards their craft.
“Gone are the days when a writer would submit a manuscript to a mainstream publisher for eight months hoping that they would endorse their talent.
“Today writers need to have an editor and a good graphic designer on their side to realise their dream of self-publishing their book,” said Tau.
Letsobe Communications content editor, Mangaka Letsobe said after the writer has sent a manuscript to her, she discusses the subject of the story with the writer.
“I then furnish the writer with a quotation and if we agree terms and conditions, we sign a non-disclosure clause.
“After completion of that initial phase, I commence with manuscript editing.
“Later, I send back the edited version of the manuscript to the writer. I also take the edited manuscript to the proof-reader before we can publish the manuscript,” said Letsobe.
Sterling Media’s head of graphic design, Banele Mngqi said his work starts with the designing and layout of the front, back and the book spine.
“The graphic designer must give the reader an idea of what the book is all about before they begin reading it.
“We are also in charge of the typesetting of the book and page numbering,” said Mngqi.
