When I was schooling at Maun Senior Secondary School in 2017, I told myself I was going to publish a book. I did not know any publisher nor had a story at the time.

My goal of becoming a published author was my only drive. However, I soon learnt it is not a fairy tale where a publisher sees your work through Facebook and decides to work with you.

I did occasionally write on Facebook but I wanted something that I could hold and call mine. Therefore, when I completed my Form five which is Grade 12, I started writing and the problems began.

I started writing and the problems began!

It seems that my parents, like most Batswana, don’t believe in writing. “We are Africans and we should be farmers. You will write when you retire”. That is what they told me.

They regarded my writing as a childish hobby. And I admit it did start as a hobby, then it became therapy and eventually, the dream to become a professional fictional romance author was born.

I did not have a laptop at the time and I used to write on hardcovers. Once in a while my parents would lend me theirs and I would transfer my writings to it.

The lack of a laptop and lack of motivation almost made me give up. But I have always wanted so much more for myself and I believe if no one is willing to help me, then I will help myself.

In 2018, my parents gifted me with a laptop after I was accepted at the University of Botswana. It was in that moment that I felt I was at least half way through.

I would spend hours trying to think of the next direction of my book. Fortunately for me I had an aunt who had a friend who knew a publisher. I talked to her about it and I finally got in touch with the publisher.

I kept the publisher’s contacts in my phone for months as I finished the book. Once I completed the book, I sent it to him and he told me the story had potential. Uncertain he will accept, I asked if he could publish it, and to my astonishment he said yes.

I was so excited, but I soon realized I actually needed money to publish the book. But how can I do that while I am still a student? Does this mean I have to wait until I retire, as my parents said!

I refused to surrender, so I decided to save up from my allowance. I cut down most of my expenses, because I felt I needed to publish my first book even more than I needed food or sleep.

Although I had saved up a lot, it still wasn’t enough so I asked my parents to lend me some money. I remember crying and praying that they help and promising them that I would pay them back.

Then one day I received a text that money had been deposited. I was so happy that the very same day I paid the publisher and had him publishing my book.

However, my financial problems were far from over because I discovered I also had to pay for printing costs. My publisher helped me to get in touch with a company that can print my book and the rest was left for me.

I could not go back to my parents and ask for more money so I had to save up again. My friend Gorata Machai gave me some money for the printing costs.

And in the end, my first book, “Dirty Laundry”, ended up getting printed in 2019. I remember how I cried holding the printed copy of the book and feeling proud of making my dream happen.

It was my first ever published novel.

The problems should have ended there. I guess I expected to publish and make sales but that was not the case. I had to sell my book and market it myself. I would go to social events just to sell and enter competitions just to meet potential customers.

I gave some of the copies for free to people who I felt would be influential. I approached schools so I could sell my book but I was told they only buy in quotation and I had to have a company.

So last year I registered a company to publish my second book. I am still struggling but I am willing to push forward. I want my upcoming books to have a book launch since the first one never did. I know that first-borns are always a challenge, but they are also usually the best motivation for more.

To achieve any dream, you first need to acknowledge the gift you are given

As much as the journey was interesting, it was also challenging, discouraging but it was also full of lessons. The first lesson I learnt is that to achieve any dream, you first need to acknowledge the gift you are given, no matter what it is, and pursue it at all costs.

It is always easier to give up. It can sound safer to do what others expect from you, but is it always the right thing to do? I don’t think so.

Most importantly the biggest risk in life is not to take a risk at all. I am a firm believer in action more than words.

I also learnt how it is difficult for a young Motswana to become a writer. I met this girl on Facebook. Her name is Ashley Daisy Lelatlhego and I met her through her writings which she shared on her timeline.

I decided to question her on her writing. I was intrigued to learn that she started writing in 2016. She mentioned that she loved writing as it was the best way to express herself.

She told me that the challenges she mostly faced were not being able to punctuate her work. She further told me that she does get positive responses and wishes to publish but doesn’t have the finances to do so.

I then met a published author through his posts where he shared part of his published work. His name is Ozzil Obonetse Gopolang. I decided to spike a conversation with him on his journey as a Motswana writer.

He told me he had always been a writer from a tender age but wasn’t aware. He preferred writing more than reading which I found rather interesting in an ironic way because I have always assumed writing equals reading a lot.

Then I realized that Ashely, Ozzil and I had something in common: we started writing on Facebook as a form of entertainment and had people telling each one of us how appealing our writing is.

I saw a lot of myself in Ozzil because as a scholar who depends solely on a living allowance, we struggle to publish our work. Nevertheless, I was glad that Ozzil took a self-publishing route which was less expensive.

He mentioned that upon finishing the book, the hardest obstacle he faced was marketing the book and finding exposure which is something I am struggling with as well.

Another thing I admired about Ozzil was him talking about balancing school work with writing because as a scholar and a writer I also get distracted and sometimes I lose my ideas when I have to think about a school project or assignment I have to work on.

As a fictional romance author, it is always amazing to meet authors who write different genres such as Ozzil who writes Science fiction and Erotica. He told me he was planning to release a fictional book in December this year. His latest book: Against All Odds is on the market.

We need to understand that as Africans, we can be farmers to produce our food, but we can also be creative writers to feed our intellect

From Ashely, Ozzil and my own experience, I now understand why we have one of the lowest ranking of publishing markets, and I am wondering if we are really doing something about it as a country or as, let’s say, “the writers’ community”?

I do not pretend to have a magical solution, nor do I pretend to know it all, but I strongly believe that we really need, as a country, official and private sectors, and Academia above all, to reflect on this crucial issue, which can not only be an intellectual caprice, but a real field that can promote innovation, youth initiatives and creativity.

It can also help in boosting the image of the country and presenting it to the world. We only need to deeply understand and believe that as Africans, we can be farmers and that we need to farm our land and produce our food, but we can also be creative writers and feed our intellect