NAN-ELS-2
Publishers
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, June 21, 2017 (NAN) Mr Ahmed Maiwada, an Abuja-based poet has called on book publishers across to improve the quality of published works to further encourage and improve reading culture among the people.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He cautioned publishers not to allow writers pressured them into rushing to publish works without good content because of financial gains.
“Publishers should not compromise on content; instead they should ensure they bring out books with quality and interesting content to improve reading culture among the people,’’ he said.
Maiwada, who recently released his work “ We are Fish,’’ a collection of poetry said lack of good content in books, discouraged people from reading.
“However, the reading culture can be improved if publishers step-up efforts to bring out quality works with readable contents.
“Writers too have to put in their best to ensure they write about educative and entertaining things that will interest people to read.
“To achieve that, publishing houses needs to have different specialise editors for Poetry, Prose and Drama; this will help in bring out quality works,’’ Maiwada said.
He stressed that editing poetry works was more than doting the I (s) and crossing the t (s), adding that diction and poetic language expressions are fundamentals.
He explained that publishers should set rules against poorly written works, stressing that there were some young writers who do not like to take correction to improve their act.
“Some writers will instruct the publisher to go ahead and print their works claiming it was a revelation and should not be altered.
“Publishers should reject such works for the sake of their names and integrity; such works may not meet the standard for quality and readable content,’’ he said.
Maiwada said also that there was need for publishers to update themselves and constantly collaborate with other stakeholders.
He said that there are provisions for companies and publishers to join the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) as associate members.
He admonished publishers to attend meetings of ANA to share their ideas with writers and also sensitise them on what it takes to have good books.
He added that such will go a long way to help both writers and publishers in giving the public interesting works that would stimulate reading culture among the people.
The author, who is also a lawyer, noted that it was regrettable that regulating publishable content would be a difficult task “because the writer pays for the services of the publishers.
“However, you cannot regulate what anybody should accept for printing or publishing as long as there is offer and acceptance between the two parties.
“This does not happen in Nigeria alone; it is happening everywhere; that is the reason you see garbage in the name of books; they are everywhere.
Other books by Maiwada include, “Saint of a Woman’’ and “Fossils.’’(NAN)
CMY/AAB/EAL
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Ekemini Ladejobi