The Sunday Mail
Last year, there were several highlights that gave a spark to the otherwise obscured literary community and this year will be no different, if not better.
The literary climate might not be very conducive for the industry but that has not stopped wordsmiths from making use of their pens.
With various sections in the arts strategising on how to tackle the new year, several writers have laid out plans to publish books before year-end.
For those who love reading, it seems like there is a little bit of everything for everyone in the cooking pot with a number of upcoming and established poetry, fiction and motivational writers poised to publish their works this year.
Some of the writers who will be unleashing their talents on us include Ignatius Mabasa, Tendai Maduwa, Tafadzwa Brian Penny, CJ Milton, Takunda Munengwa and Jonah Nyoni, among others. Poetry enthusiasts are in for a treat as one of the most prominent poets on the land, Albert Nyathi, has said that he will be launching a book titled “My Son”. Besides having collaborated on a poetry and music fusion project with Chirikure Chirikure last year, he had not put anything out since “My Daughter” and this particular effort will be the sequel to his last major work.
The poetry book is bound to be explosive considering that one of the most talented writers on the land, Ignatius Mabasa, also has his hand in it.
This project was supposed to have been released last year but was delayed due to several factors. Nyathi has, however, promised that it will be out before the end of the year.
Being the editor of Bhabhu Books, Mabasa has been keeping the spirit of Shona literature alive with a band of talented hands that are at his disposal producing outstanding works. He has indicated that this year, they will be releasing a book titled “Makore Asina Mvura”, which is a metaphor illuminating the different droughts in different peoples’ lives.
The book features 15 writers, with one of them female. Eleven of the stories focus on the plight of women and the various droughts and injustices that prevails in their lives.
Last year, CJ Milton had his stories and poems featured in several anthologies. He is not showing signs of putting his pen down any time soon as he will be releasing books that include “Virtues of a Boy Child”, “Recipe for Disaster” and “So You Want to Get Married”.
Another writer to look out for is Tafadzwa Brian Penny, who is set to feature in several anthologies like “Growing Wings and Other Stories”, “Patterns”, “Jekerera”, “My Beauty Has Gone” and “Benzi Ndiani”.
Last year, success coach and author, Jonah Nyoni, played a part in the creation of the books “Success Within Reach” and “Inspiration for Success”. This year, Nyoni will be publishing a motivational book titled “Transformative Leadership” which is meant to create a better understanding of strategies that are used by successful leaders.
These are just but a few publications that book lovers should expect to feast on in 2016. Many other writers will be working flat out to ensure that readers are not starved of content.
New authors have been slowly penetrating the industry while the veterans are still proving their worth. With this blend, readers should brace for an interesting literary year.
The poetry book is bound to be explosive considering that one of the most talented writers on the land, Ignatius Mabasa, also has his hand in it.
