Teen publishes novella despite hurdles

Gasebalwe Seretse | Thursday December 5, 2013 17:45

 

The 19-year-old Gaborone-based author told Showbiz in an interview that his love for writing saw to it for him to overcome all challenges and publish the semi-autobiographical novella.

“I started working on the book, whose working title was Life, A Wheel while doing Form Three and completed it by the time I finished high school. I then took a couple of months painstakingly typing it myself,” he said. Majaga said that he then approached one Dimpho Mookinyana who helped with editing it, which also took some months.

When the editing was complete, the young writer then approached a number of potential sponsors but sadly doors were slammed on his face, a scenario many authors can easily relate to. The determined teenager then approached his parents for sponsoring the publishing.  His father, who is a graphic designer helped with putting the book together and both parents popped out money to cover the printing costs.  The rest is now history.

The author pointed out that because of financial constraints, he was forced to divide the book into three parts.  He has so far managed to publish the first part.

Asked what inspired him to write the book, Majaga said: “I really loved reading works of fiction at junior school.  I then thought to myself I could write something as well and I came up with the concept of writing a book about my teenage years.”

Majaga added that although the book is pure fiction, it loosely draws from his life experiences and that of his peers.

He said that his love for the Nancy Drew sleuth series greatly helped him hone his writing skills, which came in handy when he worked on his debut novel.

During the interview, the young author expressed his disappointment at the way some big corporate companies let him down. He complained that the literary arts were not taken seriously in Botswana. “I know for a fact that if someone could have approached the same company about a one-day festival, they would have sponsored him. A book can be around for a long time and it is not fair to make writers suffer by not sponsoring their works,” he said adding that even the media snubbed his launch despite the fact that he had invited them.

Majaga said that all was not in vain because the launch, which was held at an open space in Rail Park Mall in Gaborone, was well attended. He said that many people who attended the launch expressed interest in the book, which had greatly encouraged him.

His love for writing led to him dropping his graphic design course at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology this year in hopes to return next year to pursue journalism.  Teenager’s Tale will be available in major bookstore in January next year.