ISHMAEL MZWANDILE SOQAGA

Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga is one of Africa’s key intellectuals, thinkers, and wordsmiths. A powerful book reviewer and critic, he has published several books himself. They include Promoting Quintessential African Writing, Glimpses into African Literature, and Further Glimpses into African Literature…

Q: How did you become a publisher? Did you ever wish it to be so, or it just happened? 

SOQAGA: I became a publisher when it was not fashionable.  I mean when first thing you have a book which you believe by world standard is remarkable and you find out that none is willing to publish it.  I mean to publish it so that it can be read by the world.  This is what makes me a publisher because I cannot allow an outstanding book to be overlooked and remain unpublished. 

Yes of course, when I develop a fervent love for literature one thing that engrossed my mind was to see myself playing my role in publishing.  To accentuate, Mr Bolaji is the one who introduced me professionally to literature.  I realized that my love for Africa too-induced me to be strongly connected with Chief Bolaji.  In that short period of time which I spent with Chief Bolaji I was deeply fascinated by the way he was doing things.  Working with Chief Bolaji it simple means you must be quick and vigorous.   He is a diligent writer and when it comes to writing he avoids all indolent frivolous demeanour.  Meeting with with an African prolific writer like Chief Bolaji made me to realize my dream of being a publisher.

Q:  What do you find exciting about being a publisher?  What aspects thrill you most?

SOQAGA: In a real sense as a publisher you explore many imperative things which are pertinent to literature.  First and foremost your publishing details on the verso of a book say a lot in the world of literature.  It may sound irrelevant but the publishing details in the book gives a publisher an enormous recognition.  For example, all people who are interested in any book you publish they will first contact you and make the arrangement on how they can get the copies of the book despite that the author name can be noticed diametrical. 

Q: We know book distribution, sales in Africa, can be very frustrating. How do you cope with it?

So far inasmuch as I’ve been in the publishing industry my concentration apart from book sales is to see that important literary centres like universities and Legal Deposit centres are well provided with the books that I publish.  It must be reckoned that I publish books without being sponsored most of the time.  Therefore as a publisher I have to see that books are distributed very well in order for the world to read.  The problem with Africa especially when it comes to literature is that for you to be recognized as a writer you need first to satisfy influential people in your society.  It is trifling and it cannot work like that hence despite the challenges an independent self publisher may encountered with, one need not to be perturbed by baseless nonentity.  Some publishers promote this type of literature, you will see them enjoying to publish books that heap praises for leaders so that eventually they can have a chunk of money and fame.  With quintessential literature which early African literary pioneers used to advocate, this is nothing else but chimeral ambition which of course is repugnant in world literature. But I am happy that many copies of books I publish are stocked in illustrious international universities/literary centres.