By Charles Okoth
When the 8-4-4 system was adopted, there is one area that suffered greatly: the area of storybook publishing. This was especially so for the time the secondary cycle began, with the attendant glut of revision books.
That is understandable. As they have never tired to tell us, the publishers are in the business for money. A business that forgets that, and operates on some strange principles and sacrifices, soon finds itself bankrupt. So anybody who would ascribe to that appellation of ‘Publisher’ must have an extremely sensitive nose for prospective Legal Tender.
Invariably, when a new system of education comes up, the one thing that has that smell in abundance is the ‘relevant’ textbooks. Especially so are those books that have the blessings of KICD. Every publisher wants to have their book approved by that body. That is the only assurance that the book will sell.
The other craze that comes up is the revision books and booklets. Under 8-4-4, everybody remembers the Gold Medal series, Top Mark, Encyclopedia, and all the other catchy-titled revision books. These were another milk cow for the publishers; parents were advised to ensure their children had copies.
Almost all publishers ventured into these two: coursebooks and revision books. They fully engaged the printers, and it is common knowledge that they made a heap, as the Capek Brothers would talk of it in Insect Play.
But one sector suffered: the literary genre.
It was almost futile to send a manuscript to a publisher. If it was an email, it would stay in the computer. If it was hard copy, it was most likely that the secretarial staff would handle it. These had firm instructions to dump these in a carton, and let them be. One secretary, whose acquaintance I had ‘acquired’, showed me one such carton, bursting at the seams, and told me my script was probably among them. “We are too busy, Mwalimu,” she said. “Mambo ya 8-4-4 imetukaza sana; hatupumui!”
Yes; in the event of a new system, there is no room for anything else. Understandably so, since every publisher would wish to cash in on the cash cow while the udder is still swollen with milk.
True, there came up what was called the Orange Book. This had the titles, including class readers, which (the then) KIE felt were relevant for students at the various levels. But these were not many; somehow, a majority of novellas and novels never made their way to that league. Needless to say, they stayed on the shelves doing nothing. The only comfort was that the KIE approved books were there, ensuring survival of the company.
With that scenario, which publisher would want to have anything to do with a literary manuscript? The answer is, very few. Only the bravest among them would dare publish a novel; and only if the manuscript was from one of ‘the who-is-who’ in the literary world.
Yes, the ones who get hit most are the upcoming writers. Those ones have to wait until everything that bears the stamp of ‘New Syllabus’ is given due attention.
And this is my message to them. The CBC has come up. New writers, most publishers may receive your manuscripts, yes; but don’t expect them to act on them until the appetite of CBC is assuaged.
Your manuscripts may not be looked at soon. The editors are too busy working on the CBC manuscripts to spare time even to acknowledge receipt. If you receive an acknowledgement, it will simply be a secretary mechanically acting under terse instructions. But expect to wait for a very long time before any further communication comes forth. This is my experience.
Way forward
But don’t despair. As Hannibal said, ‘We either find a way, or make a way’.
Heard of the Via Dolorosa? ‘The way of the cross’ This was the road from Jerusalem to Golgotha. Essentially it symbolizes extreme sacrifice; and for beginners, that is going to be it, Via Dolorosa.
On the publishing front, I will recommend two steps on this journey of passion;
Self–publishing
If the passion to be read is such that you feel a unique urgency, this will be the best way. Get around a hundred thousand shillings, have the script thoroughly proof-read, and hit the printer. Seek some advice from consultants like Writers’ Guild Kenya, and I am certain you will get excellent service. You can then have your maiden in your hands.
But ensure the book is thoroughly prepared, otherwise you may end up with a product you cannot sell.
Small Publishers
Not every publisher will end up doing KICD work. Some will have to make do with what they can lay their hands on. Editing, printing and selling the product will thus be in their hands. This is a way I recommend fully, for even the writer who has not a penny will benefit from their service.
The problem is that many writers dream of being published by the big-time publishers. This sort of ego can really damage the chances of the young writers. My advice is that there is always a pedestal from which you can spring; aspiring for a higher pedestal than what fits you is self-damaging.
A word of caution here: many of the small-timers are cash-starved. Don’t expect money too soon. They are just trying to stand. Help them by being patient. So if you are looking for riches from your writing, you will be disappointed.
If you are lucky to be published by them, it is advisable to ask to be paid in form of books, which you can then sell to your friends.
All in all, if you have real passion to be published, it will be a good thing to get in touch with some of the established writers, who can read your scripts and make a recommendation to a publisher. The important thing is: don’t despair. A good story will get published, in the fullness of time, as they say.
Okoth is an accomplished author and a retired teacher based in Busia
