Face to face encounter with a Book editor.
Face to face encounter with a Book editor.
Yesterday I had my first face to face encounter with a book editor. I got her through a friend and traveled to Kampala to meet with her.
First she tells me that she had had some strong issues that needed urgent attention, but since she knew I was coming, and moreover from Jinja, she decided to stick to the appointment without excuses. A very good sign of a serious and committed person. In Uganda, we need more such people who will do what they said they would do without excuses.
We had earlier agreed to meet in Ntinda but she changed to a café at Quality super market. This is a place where there was a bad incident recently, so as I drove in, I made sure I was extra nice to the guards just incase they are in bad moods that day.
The editor looked briefly through my draft hard copy and then asked who my audience is, I told her my content would suitable and benefit everyone, she smiled and said it can’t be so. I would have to target a specific primary audience. Others could come in as secondary audience.
I tell her, am writing for the first. She is not moved and says everyone has a story and is actually a writer. So according to her, anyone can write a book, it’s just may be because of fear that many people are held back.
She also asks me lots of questions, probably to figure out whom am (my values,purpose,etc) and what I intend to communicate, I answer some questions well, while others I fidget.
She also hints on the possibility of some of the content being deleted out, she says that she can’t just editor a book for purposes of graduation, it has to be a good book that has a good message that will build Ugandans and everyone who will read it. I like her attitude. She seems to be a very good editor, one who does not compromise on quality. Writing more relevant content will of course consume more time and mental energy, but am ready to do whatever it will take to bring out a good book that will help Ugandans.
So Uganda should wait for this inspiring book that will soon come out of Buwenda village.
Blessings – Edward
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