The Nigerians - interesting project (forwarded message)

Dear friend

Sorry for the mass mail, but I am hoping to reach out to as many Nigerians with a literary flair as possible, so please read the email and pass it on to your network if they fit the bill.

Are you tired of the bad press that Nigerians seem to get wherever we go? Do you want to change, influence or dispel the negative perceptions outsiders have about us? And do you want to share some of the passion you have for your country and explain its irresistible draw? And perhaps most importantly – can you write?

We are looking for just 20 brilliant Nigerian writers to take part in a ground-breaking, collaborative publishing project that will entertain, educate and influence readers globally while throwing a positive light on the country of our birth.

The Nigerians is a collection of compelling and wittily written pieces that provide insights to help unravel the complex conundrum that is Nigeria.

There is no doubt that the gods of literature have blessed Nigeria with some of the best writers in Africa and the world. From Chinua Achebe , Ngozi Chimanda Adichie, Ben Okri, Wole Soyinka to Helen Oyeyemi, Sefi Atta, Segun Afolabi, Biyi Bandele, Kole Omotose, Chris Abani . . . . . this project is waiting to happen.

We are looking for unpublished writing between 2000 and 5000 words. The pieces must be upbeat, witty, fictional accounts of a place, an event, a character or a situation that sheds light on Nigeria or its people. We are looking for a range of pieces that are uplifting, real and human, and that give a respectful picture of Nigeria from an insider’s perspective.

Are you a writer who would like to be a part of this world-first, literary legacy project for Nigeria?

There will be no contributor fees, only the chance to collaborate on this influential initiative, but the selected writers will share equally in the royalties, the copyright and the limelight.

The Nigerians will be launched in Lagos, South Africa, London and New York and will be available for sale worldwide through the internet.

I’m excited about this project and I hope you are too. Please contact me ([email protected]) if you would like to participate or pass the mail on to someone who you think will be interested.

Moky Makura