There
are times when I get these vivid dreams, ideas…inspiration. When I know, just
know the path that I’m supposed to take. An idea I’m supposed to embark on. It
doesn’t leave me, it haunts. It paints a picture so gripping that I can’t let
go. And usually it has nothing at all to do with me.
That’s
how the Africa Online Book Fair: Romance
Authors & Books came to me. It started out as this idea that took shape
into something that I hope will grow beyond what I can imagine for it.
Africa
& African authors (especially women of color) in romance publishing to me
was always hard to find, I saw this gap on the internet and publishing world
for the author who can’t necessarily get to a traditional romance author book
fair. Who is limited in resources and time.
I
also, selfishly I might add, wanted to see romance authors from the continent,
who writes love stories set here, abroad or other sub-genres of romance like
paranormal & fantasy showcased for the world’s readers to find. This vivid
dream came to me at a time when I felt on the fringes as a romance author of
color from Africa. I don’t write the type of literature that’s expected of an
author of color from Africa. I don’t wax lyrical about oppression and Apartheid
(I’m from South Africa), nothing about a scorched earth and its inhabitants…dark Africa… but Africa isn’t as dark to
me as the picture often painted in the international media. People here also
love. And we also write romance novels.
So
last year we held our first online book fair. It was nerve wrecking but worth
it. Not only did I get to meet some awesome authors, but my booklist grew,
filled with novels written by authors who love the genre.
This
year it’s no different, the lineup is filled with veterans in the romance
industry from traditionally published authors to e-published and self-published
authors. Each of them offering either giveaways, free or discounted books,
Amazon GCs, Q&As, games and competitions, and even a Rhino Clock *smile*
That’s awesome right, a Rhino Clock. I want one now!
So
without further prattling from my side, here’s the link and schedule for the
fair:
Book Fair Schedule:
Friday
1 June 2018:
TM Clark 10:00-11:00 Am
Unoma Nwankwor 12:00-13:00 PM
Francine Beaton 14:00-15:00 PM
Beverley Eikli 16:00-17:00 PM
Alison Stuart 19:00-20:00 PM
Dani Rene 21:00-22:00 PM
*Day winds down after 22:00 but competitions,
offers & sales/discounts are still open. Readers can still enter by
following the author’s instructions/guidelines.
Saturday
2 June 2018:
Eden
Walker 10:00-11:00 AM
Amaka Azie 13:00-14:00 PM
Gaeille
Vanderspek 15:00-16:00 PM
Stella
Eromonsere-Ajanaku 19:00-20:00 PM
Linzé
Brandon 21:00-22:00 PM
*Day winds down after 22:00 but competitions,
offers & sales/discounts are still open. Readers can still enter by
following the author’s instructions/guidelines.
Winners of giveaways, competitions
& gift cards will be announced on the event page by the authors on Sunday 3rd
June or Monday 4th June 2018.
Connect
with the Africa Online Book Fair: Romance
Authors & Books
Facebook Group Page:
https://tinyurl.com/ka3ucvl
Twitter:
@AfricaOnBookFr
Instagram:
@africaonlinebookfair
Inge Saunders is the founder of the Africa Online Book Fair: Romance
Authors & Books and also a member of the Cape Town Chapter the Romance
writers’ Organization of South Africa. Currently she has three works published
with Decadent Publishing, two sweet contemporary novels and a spicy paranormal
romance.
Twitter:
@saunders_inge
Blog:
https://ingesaunders.wordpress.com
This sounds a great event!
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet!
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