Last week several East London authors, as well as a large virtual audience, attended a three-day training session hosted by Harry’s Books.
The subjects included getting started, editing, motivation, creativity, determination and resilience, networking and support, and meeting and greeting readers.
Saturday morning was a Covid-19-themed book reading from two new and one nationally renowned authors of children’s books.
Irene Bernado, a retired teacher, has written seven animal story books, based on South Africa’s legendary animals for children between grades 4 and 6.
Writing has always been a passionate part of my life. My parents were great storytellers
Bernado said: “Writing has always been a passionate part of my life. My parents were great storytellers.”
While she writes for preteens, she said her great respect for them demanded intense research into real animal stories that have made the news and become legends in SA.
“I use real animals as a base for fiction, but I don’t eliminate the danger factor. My book heroes are dangerous. I believe it inspires my young readers to get involved with nature.”
Bernado’s books are written in rhyme.
“I’m a rhymer, and I never flatter myself into thinking that I am a poet. I keep it simple.”
She said a great part of her success was due to her artist, Zeni Williams-Jones, who is also her daughter.
“We have a great relationship, and she has a remarkable ability to turn my words into pictures.”
As a retired teacher, I know first-hand how a good book aimed at young people can change their lives.
She said her motivation stemmed from the challenge to get young children to appreciate the joy of reading.
“As a retired teacher, I know first-hand how a good book aimed at young people can change their lives.”
Sinesipho Mbana wrote a children’s story on a village boy’s imaginary relationship with a magic monkey. It is written in isiXhosa and English, which she said was aimed at getting both languages into the classroom.
Mbana’s “day job” is an information and communication technology technician.
Mbana said: “My writing inspiration came from my grandmother. She would tell us different stories every night before we went to bed.
“Her ability to conjure up tales was amazing. That led to a passion for reading and now writing.
“I want to give young people books that delight and instil the joy of being transformed by new adventures.
“I think Sipho and the Monkey with the Magic Tail, my first of hopefully many books, will do just that.”
She said she also planned to create a series of documentaries on things that happened in rural communities, both good and bad, that never reached the mainstream media.
Lori-Ann Preston, who has written and published several books, read her latest Trixie book, the second of what will become a series.
“I am a research junkie and I discovered when I was teaching that there was a paucity of local books targeted at young people.
“I asked my class what they wanted in a book. Among other things, they wanted humour and SA-centric characters with whom they could identify.”
Preston entered her first book, The Ama-Zings, into the inter-Africa Golden Baobab writing competition.
“Much to my surprise, I won. The prize was substantial and that launched a writing career.
“Sadly, there are only a handful of local authors that can rely on their book output as a full-time career.
“However, my experience over the past five years is that the ‘tweeners’ book market must be a passion to lure young people into reading. The financial reward is secondary.”
Preston, who lives in East London, used to travel throughout the country, giving presentations to schools. However Covid-19 put and end to that, but she carried on by using Zoom to reach classrooms.
She uses beta readers — manuscript reviewers — who get an early view of a manuscript and give honest assessments, but she also gets feedback from her target market.
“The kids are very forthright with their opinions. I really value their input and will not hesitate to make changes.”
Her latest idea takes children to a new literary level.
“I work with schools to get young people to plan and write their own books.
“It is very rewarding. We go through the process step by step, from creating themes, building characters and settings, through to actually writing.”
“Who knows, I might be assisting to create one of the world’s best children’s books writers, and a huge pool of competitors.”
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