REVIEW
Directory of Nigerian Book Development
edited by Chukwuemeka Ike
ISBN 97833473491998 228pp 1998 Nigerian
Book Foundation, Awka, and Fourth Dimension Publishing Co., Enugu, Nigeria,
$63.00/£35.00 cased, $45/£25 pb. Distributed by African
Books Collective Ltd., details p. 19.
Review by Hans Zell
Hans M Zell is a publishing consultant specialising in scholarly publishing,
journals publishing management and reference book publishing, 11 Richmond
Road, PO Box 56, Oxford, OX1 2SJ, England. Tel +44 1865 511428, fax
+44 1865 311534, e-mail: hzell@dial.pipex.com
This is a remarkable and pioneering publication
and is probably the first reference work published anywhere in Africa
which provides a wide range of information about the entire book community
in a single country, and in a single source. Published jointly by the
Nigerian Book Foundation (NBF) and Fourth Dimension Publishing Company,
the project forms part of the NBF's mission to establish a comprehensive
database on all aspects of book development in Nigeria. The introduction
in the volume clearly sets out the scope and arrangement of the directory,
and provides the background to the data-gathering process.
Much of the information was collected through
systematic questionnaire mailings. When responses were not forthcoming,
various chasers were sent and some personally delivered; the Foundation
also enlisted the help of various publishers with regional offices in
various parts of the country. Inevitably, as with any data-gathering
process relying primarily on questionnaires (which are reproduced in
the book's appendices), and as this reviewer knows from his own experience,
it can be very frustrating when recipients don't respond, even if entries
are completely free of charge, and despite the fact that listings in
the directory help to publicise the activities of each organisation
and make them more widely known. One reason for the low return from
certain sectors of the Nigerian book world, the editor explains in this
introduction, was `fear of income tax authority', namely that appearance
in the Directory could expose the existence of a taxable organisation
to the tax authorities! Perhaps this should not have come altogether
as a surprise, as the questionnaire also requested details of annual
turnover figures (in addition to share capital, subscribed shares, etc.),
and which might explain why some publishers or printers were reluctant
to be included. In the event, one sector of the book industry - those
involved in the production, importation and distribution of paper and
other materials for book manufacture - was not included in this initial
edition as the response rate was very poor.
Having said this, the Directory brings together
a massive amount of information, which is grouped into five distinct
parts, each preceded by a short introductory essay. Part One is a directory
of published Nigerian authors, a total of 749 entries covering creative
writers as well as academic authors. Entries include full name and address,
telephone number, date of birth, details of published books, awards
and honours received, and other information. Part Two is a directory
of book publishing houses, 74 entries giving a wide array of specifics
on each publisher, e.g. date founded, number of books in print, number
of new titles published annually, types of books published and primary
markets, in addition to financial information, number of employees,
name of chief executive, and full name and address, telephone/fax numbers.
Part Three is a directory of book printing presses, listing 66 companies
and providing similar information as for publishers, but also including
more printing-specific information such as typesetting and origination
services offered, printing and binding equipment available, and more.
Part Four covers the retail trade and bookshops/distribution organisations
(70 entries), again with very full information on each organisation,
including nature of business, name of chief executive, type of sales
outlets and principal promotion channels, annual turnover figures (where
disclosed), and specialised services offered. Part Five is a directory
of libraries throughout Nigeria, grouped by states, but unlike Parts
1-4 listings are confined to just name and address and an indication
of the type of library.
There are four separate `name indexes': of published
authors, publishing houses, book printing presses, and bookshops and
book distribution organisations. However, the indexes are the weak point
in this otherwise excellent resource. They really serve no purpose at
all, as they are merely alphabetical indexes to authors, publishers,
printers, etc. which already appear in precisely the same alphabetical
order in the main listings. It would have been much better to have one
alphabetical index integrating all entries in the Directory into a single
index.
However, this is a relatively minor flaw in what
otherwise is a highly commendable publication. The book is handsomely
produced and casebound, and typography and layout of information are
generally attractive and user friendly.
As this is a reference tool both for the book
trade and for authors, the NBF might wish to consider inclusion of some
extra details under publisher entries in future editions, and as they
relate to manuscript submissions. For example, in what areas and levels
are manuscript submissions welcomed (if unsolicited approaches are indeed
welcomed)? Who is the initial author contact? What sort of manuscript
length is suggested? What are the editorial requirements? How should
manuscripts be submitted (e.g. acceptable as conventional hard copy
or only on disk)? What kind of author assistance is offered? And what
are the standard terms of author remuneration (royalties, advances,
frequency of payment, etc.)?
The Nigerian Book Foundation is to be congratulated
for publishing such a valuable resource. It ought to be purchased by
all African studies libraries; and for libraries, organisations, NGOs
or donor agencies anywhere with an interest in publishing, book development
and authorship in Africa it is an indispensable reference. [end] [BPN,
No 24, 1998, p 17.]
^^Back
to top
Return
to table of contents for BPN Newsletter 24, 1998>>