The world is changing fast, and the measure of one’s success is now being determined by one’s ability to adapt and master these changes. Facebook, though arguable, is about the biggest thing that happened to the 21st century. It has become more than just an online social networking platform; it is now a tool for success. Many Nigerian writers have embraced this reality and are expanding their readership and sharing their craft with more people using this platform. The list below outlines my top 10 Nigerian writers/authors who are using this wonderful platform.
1. CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE: Author of 3 books so far, Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and The Thing Around Your Neck. In some circles she is regarded as the most celebrated writer of the last decade. She enjoys a certain level of exclusivity that makes her ever more relevant and respected. She sits comfortably at the top of this list because her number of followers and fans keeps rising almost on a per minute basis.
2. LOWLA DEE: She is a young writer/blogger and philanthropist. Mostly published on her website, but she enjoys amazing followership for her ‘Amazing Grace’ series. Her online activity chart will break meters.
3. LOLA SHONEYIN: Her book, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, was long listed for the Orange Prize 2011. She is based in Abuja and she is doing a great job with promoting reading and writing there.
4. MYNE WHITMAN: Author of A Heart To Mend and A Love Rekindled. A powerful blogger and the Editor/Creator of www.naijastories.com. She was able to penetrate and establish herself in the Nigerian literary society from the United States where she resides.
5. JUDE DIBIA: One of several authors under the Jalaa Writers Collective. His book, Blackbird, was published under that initiative. He is very active on facebook, promoting his craft and writing generally.
6. CHIKA UNIGWE: An Afro-Belgian writer of Nigerian origin. Her second novel, On Black Sister’s Street, has been getting rave reviews both at home and abroad.
7. ADAOBI TRICIA NWAUBANI: Her novel, I Do Not Come To You By Chance, made her famous quickly in the country. The book is rich in humour and information.
8. OKEY NDIBE: A writer and political commentator. He teaches fiction and African literature at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He is the author of the novel, Arrows of Rain.
9. JUMOKE VERISSIMO: She is a poet and writer. She won First Prize, Carlos Idize Ahmad Prize for a first book of Poetry 2009. She is described as “one of those who will change the face of literature in Nigeria.”
10. HELON HABILA: He won the Caine Prize for African fiction (short story) in 2001, and the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Best First Book, Africa Region) in 2003. He is the author of 3 novels, Waiting For An Angel, Measuring Time, and Oil On Water.
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*Editor’s Note* This is a personal list and thus subjective. If you prefer other writers and are friends or fans of theirs on FB, we’ll like to hear your comments. Feel free to submit a post if you wish.
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Comments
Scopeman @scopeman60
Unlike everyone else I have not been writing from my mother's womb. I realised my ability to write pretty well along the course of life. I am working hard to improve and establish myself as a writer. My first book "Dappled Things" will soon be out in a book store near you.Go to Scopeman's profile, and read more of his/her posts.
For some reason…I don’t really consider anyone on that list except maybe our own Mayne. That may sound like bias but I only know about her…Chinamanda who happens to not write for me…Lola whose Secret Lives I am yet to read…Jude Dibia who I ‘met’ via NS…Adaobi whose ‘I Do Not Come By Chance’ too I am yet to read. I haven’t read Myne’s books either but I have read other works. I’m good with that.
Thanks Iweka, and for sharing. I also know and follow most of these writers on your list.
U r welcome Myne…
Well, @Seun, I agree with you, don’t know any of those writers. Excep Myne and Chimamanda. And I think the latter is suffering from over hype.
@Kaycee u say u don’t know Jude Dibia and Chika Unigwe? Even after we’ve done live chats with them here on NS?
Some of us were vacationing off Ns at that time…Scopes.
I beg to disagree with @Kaycee on the overhype comment. I think Chimammada is worth every accolades and the so-called hype about her.
I’m with you on this! @Kaycee, Chimamanda is not overhyped in any way. She deserves it.
Hmm…Well, can’t say much until I read all these authors…
Good Review and like you said, its your personal list. I ve read Tricia’s ‘I do not come to you by chance” and it was a beautifully wriiten book which was very enlightening for me. I ve read all of Chimamanda’s books and about to get started on our own Myne whom I respect for being selfless and creating NS.
Facebook is really projecting our writers more!
I read Okey Ndibe but not on facebook; I follow his writings on Sahara Reporters. I haven’t come across any of the listed writers on facebook but that’s not for lack of interest in their works: it’s simply because my visits to that site are few and far in-between!
am short of words….but i know a few of these writers.like our CEO Myne,chimamanda,jude,okey ndibe
nice to let us into your mind briother @scopeman. at least our own @myne is on the list. with her there, others are free to be there.
Chimamanda isn’t overhyped at all, my opinion though. More into screenwriting so don’t know most of the guys on that list. Have heard of some of them though. One thing I noticed during a book fair/festival in Lagos is that we have a lot of good writers around. But most are just known by people in the writing circle. It’s time we had a few JK Rowlings around.
You forgot me!
Nice insight @scopeman. I started reading Chimamanda’s book (‘The Thing Aroung Your Neck’) after which I’ll check out Myne’s book. I like both writers and also Lowla Dee (she’s a genius). Good one here.
I didn’t realize until today that my friend had read Okey Ndibe. She even reviewed his book for him, and he said her review was too political, despite the fact that his book was more or less a ‘Political’ book…
Besides, I feel that the Title of this piece is somewhat misleading…When I first saw it, I was like, ‘They write on Facebook?’, until I read it. Well, still, na U sabi…:D
I like these writers too, but i do not follow all of them. Thanks for sharing…
Interesting list…I like the line up. I am familiar with most of the authors and have some acquaintanceship with a few… Still, I have my reservations – by the way, is your list something of 1-10 in that order or they do not have any particular ordering?
In all, great to share your thoughts. If anyone has a different idea, let the person create the person’s list. Abi?
Nice one, Scopeman! I would add Teju Cole to the list.
na scarcity of their works spoil matter ….