9 WRITERS, 4 CITIES: THE BOOK TOUR

Hello guys! Here are some of my favourite authors on a book tour! Yippeeeee! I am especially glad because Warri and Benin are both venues! I am expecting a big turn out for my guy, Eghosa. I am sorry I will be missing hearing Isi who I predict will be too funny and of course, Jumoke whose poems I always enjoy reading. Pity I won't be hearing them speak but many of you can, so please take the time to hear them talk about their books and get your copies signed as well.

I always enjoy going for book meetings and I am happy Nigeria is offering readers a chance to meet, discuss and share opinions. Another reason I enjoy going for book meetings(that's what I call them, whatever) is because you always meet very cool people there! I have had so many fascinating conversations at such events and I have made a couple of friends too. I hope some of you take the time to support our writers...and please, keep reading!

From May 2nd to Saturday June 6th 2009, nine Nigerian writers will embark on a book tour to 4 cities across Nigeria. The event is themed 9 Writers, 4 Cities: The Book Tour, and it is a series of book readings, book signings and discussions. Each event will be recorded and made available for download online. The series of weekend readings will hold in Benin, Ibadan, Lagos and Warri. The first event, which is to be hosted by Writers Anonymous at the African Artists Foundation in Lagos, will be followed by a ‘Book Party’.

The participating writers are: Odia Ofeimun (poet and author of The Poet Lied), Toni Kan (author of Nights of a Creaking Bed), Lindsay Barrett (journalist, poet and author of several books, including Song for Mumu), Jumoke Verissimo (author of I am Memory), Tade Ipadeola (a lawyer and author of the poetry collection A Sign of Times), Joy Isi Bewaji (author of Eko Dialogue), Eghosa Imasuen ( medical doctor and author of To Saint Patrick), A. Igoni Barrett (managing editor of Farafina magazine and author of From Caves of Rotten Teeth) and Bimbo Adelakun ( journalist and author of Under the Brown Rusted Roofs).

The series of events will take place at the following places:

Lagos: Saturday, 2nd May, 2009 at the African Artists Foundation, No 54, Raymond Njoku Street, Ikoyi, Lagos

Lagos: Sunday, 17th May at The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki Express Way, Lekki

Lagos: Saturday 6th June, 2009 at the African Artists Foundation, No 54, Raymond Njoku Street, Ikoyi, Lagos


The 6-week tour will be reported on the Farafina magazine blog, The Farafinist. Audio and video recordings of each reading will also be placed on the Switched On website as podcasts. Dada Books, Daylight Media and Auggust Media are also media partners in this project.

The dates and venues of the Benin, Warri and Ibadan events will be sent out soon.

For further information, please call 07061141232, email auggustmedia@gmail.com