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Past Projects
A Year of Training with Nigerian Jubilee fellows
The partnership between Book Buzz Foundation and the Nigerian Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) was instrumental in developing a new generation of editors and literary agents in Nigeria.
Recognising the urgent need for behind-the-scenes talent in the publishing ecosystem, Book Buzz Foundation created structured training pathways within its organisation for NJFP fellows with a passion for literature, communication, and storytelling.
Through hands-on mentorship and tailored training, fellows are introduced to the fundamentals of editorial work, manuscript development, rights management, and the critical role of literary agents in championing African writers. They participated in real-world editorial tasks such as learning how to pitch books to local and international publishers.
This experience equipped the fellows with industry-specific knowledge and practical tools to pursue careers as editors, agents, or independent literary professionals. The programme not only sharpened their professional skills but also deepens their understanding of the business of books and the importance of representation in literature.
By investing in training future agents and editors, the Book Buzz Foundation is filling a crucial gap in Nigeria’s publishing landscape—ensuring that African stories are nurtured, refined, and carried into the world with excellence and care.
With Bookstorm, the plan is to disrupt a children's picture book sector that is underperforming. The only way we can achieve this is by seeing the eco-system as a whole, and understanding that all the parts must work. The sector needs trained writers, illustrators, editors, agents, graphic designers, publishers and printers who understand that Nigerian children need good quality books that speak to them. It's going to take time to turn things around but it's important to start the journey.
- Lola Shoneyin.
Founder, Bookstorm, Book Buzz Foundation and Ouida Books
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The Africa Rights Forum
As part of the 2023 edition of Aké Arts and Book Festival, the Africa Rights Forum brought together stakeholders from across the literary ecosystem to strengthen rights expertise on the continent and foster cross-border publishing collaborations. The Forum focused on deepening knowledge around rights sales, literary representation, and international publishing opportunities for African writers and publishers.
The intensive training sessions were led by globally respected professionals: Emma Shercliff (UK-based literary agent and publisher), Pierre Astier (founder of Astier-Pécher Literary & Film Agency, France), Lucie Campos (Director of the Villa Gillet and expert in international cultural diplomacy), and Stephanie Steiker (publishing consultant and rights specialist).
These trainers offered valuable insights into contract negotiation, foreign rights sales, translation funding, and the role of agents in elevating African literature to the global stage. management and literary networking. The Africa Rights Forum marked a critical step toward building a more robust African publishing.
The Forum was attended by 21 carefully selected trainees, including emerging and established publishers, writers, and editors from Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Through workshops, case studies, and peer exchange, participants gained hands-on skills in rights management and literary networking. The Africa Rights Forum marked a critical step toward building a more robust African publishing infrastructure that can confidently navigate and thrive in the global literary market.