Date: 12 - 16 July 2011
The reading culture in our nation has gradually gone from bad to appalling, no thanks to what began as a publishers crisis due to a failing economy in the eighties and early nineties. As fewer writers got published, writing became a career possible to Nigerians who lived or got published abroad. Somewhere in between failing publishing houses, 24/7 channel O and in more recent years, BB pinging and facebook, the art of reading has become quite obsolete.
It is high time though for a nation-wide clarion call to be sound before further damage is done. For what would happen to that mind which lacks the basic curiosity to read, to have its mental horizon broadened and have its imagination fed?
The TBAB Course...
While it is no secret that Nigeria has the larger percentage of celebrated writers among African nations, most of these writers were either partly or fully raised outside the country and subsequently, were published abroad as well. While we recognise the challenges faced by our local publishers, it is our ardent belief that with a joint effort and with bringing together the right elements, a movement can be generated and with sustained effort, a successful uplift of our reading culture can be achieved. It is our intent to through our event, create a platform on which these various elements are fused. With our event, we hope to amplify efforts that have hitherto been made, to focus the government's attention on this colossal crisis and most importantly fish out writers with noteworthy talent, lanterns in the bush as it were and create for them, what may well be a once in a life time opportunity for a successful writing career.
The Seminar 12th July
An open, free for all event, the seminar invites any and every one, regardless of depth of talent or degree of interest in literature and writing, to a forum where established writers will share from their personal stories. The essence of this event is to address challenges faced by struggling, as well as established, Nigerian writers. This question and answer forum will tease the imagination of those present, offering them practical ways of tackling their challenges. It will open up their minds to new possibilities and deepen their fascination for the written word.
The Workshop 13th -14th July
A series of workshops, designed around the established theme, will be held. They will create a suitable platform for closer interaction between the panel of writers (and publishers) and a controlled number of registered participants. These workshops will facilitate one on one interface with established personalities in the trade. Each work group will be sculpted around the methods of the expert in charge; books and various writing styles will be discussed, and writing exercises will be done, with the aim of discovering budding talent.
The Literary (Gala) Night 16th July
As the crescendo of the 4-day event, the gala night will bring together a broad section of writers - known and unknown alike, publishers, students of literature and writing, literary societies, relevant government agents, endorsers and supporters of our course. A literary night indeed, as writers of note will grace the occasion and share excerpts from their works. Drama sketches and music performances will also add to the occasion, as they too fall under the broad umbrella of writing.
The Venues
- 12th July Seminar - NICON Luxury Abuja.
- 13th - 14th July Workshop - Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
- 16th July Literary Night - Transcorp Hilton. Abuja.
For inquiries: info@theboldandbeautiful.org
Website: http://www.theboldandbeautiful.org