In our creative spotlight for this month, we feature a Nigerian author and bookstagrammer who is popularising African books on Instagram through his monthly live video interview segments with authors.
Nnamdi Anyadu who currently resides in Asaba, Nigeria, is an author whose works explore human relationships within the texture of futurist possibilities and re-imaginations of the present. An alumnus of both the Ake Fiction Masterclass (2015) and the Farafina Workshop (2016), he is a joint-winner of the inaugural edition of the Reimagined Folktales Prize. Nnamdi’s works have appeared on Omenana, Iskanchi, Ake Review, and Down River Road. His short story, The Mask and the Woman, was longlisted for the Afritondo Prize in 2020 and published in the prize’s anthology under the book title, ‘Yellow means stay’. Nnamdi keeps indoor and outdoor plants, collects autographed books, and owns a small hat collection. He is always writing something new!
Read through our interview with him to learn how he is gradually influencing the African book space with the use of social media.
Tell us what your Instagram book chat is all about?
Nnamdi: Book Chat with The Africanist is a virtual book chat held monthly on Instagram Live. Its primary objective is to establish an avenue for discussions over books of fiction and poetry by African writers. It’s open to all book enthusiasts and participants get to quiz authors on the themes and topics prevalent in their works. As its anchor, I also quiz authors on their craft and what we are to expect next from them.
What inspired you to begin a book chat on Instagram?
Nnamdi: I was inspired to begin Book Chat with The Africanist after reading the short story collection, A Broken People’s Playlist by Chimeka Garricks. I was utterly impressed by the collection and wanted to discuss it with the author, but I also knew a number of people who had read it and wished to talk to him, as well. Unfortunately, we were all in different cities. Fortunately, we were all on Instagram. So, the app seemed a good place to have the conversation. The rest, as they say, is history.
What do you consider when choosing an author to feature in your book chat?
Nnamdi: I feature African authors on Book Chat with The Africanist. I admit that this is influenced by my reading preference; I read a lot of books by African writers. Recently, I have begun considering Caribbean writers. In time, I hope to accommodate everyone.
Are you currently collaborating with any book publisher for the book chat? If yes, what has the experience been like? If no, are you open to it?
Nnamdi: I am not currently collaborating with any book publisher for my book chats. It is an idea I am open to entertaining. Either a book store or a publisher; I feel healthy collaborations are great for literature, and look to considering one, or more, in the near-future.
What has been your most memorable book chat so far?
Nnamdi: It is difficult to pick a most memorable book chat experience. Each is different from the next, and special in its own way. But I think the book chat with Umar Turaki was peculiar. His novel: Such a Beautiful Thing to Behold, was the first book I discussed this year. Due to time difference between us, Umar had to be up and available in the very early hours of the day. I think around 4AM, or so. I was very grateful for that.
What’s your plan for the future of your IG Book chat?
Nnamdi: For the future, I hope to be more frequent. Between ghostwriting, writing fiction, working a 9-5, and doing life in Tinubu’s Nigeria, I can only afford to do one book chat per month. I would very much like the time and space to do more. Friends have pitched me the idea of doing a book podcast. But really, I am comfortable with doing this just on Instagram.
Do you have any quick advice for people in the African book industry looking to adopt social media for promotion of books and authors ?
Nnamdi: To anyone who wishes to adopt social media in the promotion of books and authors in Africa, I say: do it. Don’t be shy, or scared. You’d learn on the job as you go along the way. Best of luck.
Thank you for chatting with us.
