adminPaidamoyo Bore and Wilson Waison
AWARD-WINNING poet Philani Nyoni has urged contemporary writers to embrace online publishing platforms to overcome challenges in the global distribution chain.
Technology has evolved and digital-books are the new norm with the internet removing the geographical boundaries and improving the global distribution of books.
“Writers should be techno-savvy these days because the online markets are fast growing and have made it easy to sell in and outside Zimbabwe.
“The global village is slowly moving towards a paperless environment where you can access all data online.
“It is of paramount importance for contemporary writers to adopt the new normal to sustain the arts industry,” said Nyoni.
Poetry has also evolved from the page to visual choreographed material giving a plethora of visual sites for audiences to access. The author had his first publication in 2012, Once A Lover Always A Fool, which scooped a NAMA gong, in 2013.
His second book was Mars His Sword, published in 2013, and he worked with John Eppel, Hewn from Rock, a 2014 edition which is both on Amazon and Google Books.
“Back then, publishing for trade was capital intensive since the work pieces would need to be printed on paper.
“Meanwhile, the books would not be evenly distributed across the country due to incapacity and economic challenges.
“With the coming in of digital spaces, publishing has been made accessible and efficient, reaching societies beyond Zimbabwean borders,” said Nyoni.
He has adopted the online market space, which has a wide readership across the globe.
Online Reporter