Mr Omoruyi Uwuigiaren, Cartoonist & Writer

Author's Hangout with Zizi

Mr Omoruyi Uwuigiaren, popularly known as Ruyi, is a former freelance cartoonist at Vanguard Newspapers.  He is a seasoned writer, cartoonist, and publisher of children’s adventure books.

Ruyi is also a music enthusiast, he sings and plays the keyboard/piano. As a young adult, he loved music and composed songs for his high school band.  Though he wanted to pursue a music career, his love for art and writing made him study Mass Communications. His literary works and books have appeared in Breaking Rules Publishing Short Story project, Moronic Ox Literary and Cultural Journal, Vanguard Newspapers, Open Books, Bambooks and many more. 

Mr Omoruyi Uwuigiaren founded Ruyi’s World of Books and Stories. His books have that African flair that makes them exciting to read.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a friendly and outgoing person with a passion for writing, teaching, web design and publishing. My studies and previous experience have all been in these areas, and I am currently looking to progress my career in a more challenging role. I have excellent communication skills. I have successfully managed some projects and can supervise, manage, and motivate people. Most of my published books are distributed by African Books Collective, Nouvelles Éditions Numériques Africaines (NENA), and Fiction4All.

At what point did you realise you wanted to be a writer? 

It all started in 1998. My journey into the beautiful world of writing began one cold evening. The wind blew with a vengeance as if there was no tomorrow. A pastor visited my home with a little book written by Bishop David O. Oyedepo of the Living Faith Tabernacle Church, Ota, Nigeria. After going through the little piece that was as good as gold, I told the friend that a few days would be enough for me to write a book like this. The pastor, who is as dark as midnight, thought I was a windbag. He said such an endeavour would make me a drudge in no distant time. As soon as he left, I went to work. That was it! I have not recovered ever since!

You write adventure stories for children. What prompted you to go into that genre?

Some of my stories are indeed adventures. But I have since moved on to add a touch of fantasy and horror to my works. I grew up in an environment that was close to nature. Seeing animals every day and connecting with nature’s finest left me hooked.  

As a cartoonist, do you have any cartoon books for children?

Yes. The Famous Friends is listed in libraries in the Netherlands, UK, the US, Germany and Canada as a cartoon strip work because of the unique illustrations. Most of my cartoons were published by Vanguard Newspapers, Mirroronline.com and many more.

Where and how do you get ideas for your books? Most of them are fantastic.

As a communicator, you must know something about everything. You must be ready to learn and be open to new ideas. So, I read almost anything that crosses my path. I can be inspired by anything. Reading is my cornerstone.

Is there any author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

Authors that inspired me: Enid Blyton, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Elechi Amadi, Chinua Achebe, and Daniel Defoe. 

Books that inspired me: The Famous Five, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, David Copperfield, Oliver Twins, A Christmas Carol, Hulk Finn, Chike and the River, Robinson Crusoe, and The Bottled Leopard.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? 

It is intense because I do not want to mislead the reader. The volume of research depends on the book. Some works of fiction do not require much research. Sometimes the research runs into years. For instance, I spent almost 20 years writing and researching the Mystery of Taiwo Da Silva. I ended with four versions of the same book. However, research is not cast in stone. It depends on the work. It is best to write a book that is factual even though it is a work of fiction. The reader must not have any reason to doubt your story. They should be able to relate to the work. So, when you research, you do so to tell a genuine story. There should be a correlation between fact and fiction. I research so that my work will be believable. 

What challenges did you encounter in publishing your first book?

As always, the case is finance. I was broke, but I had the dream that I must become a published author. So, I did not allow my lean purse to decide what I had to do with my life. I took a loan from my mother to publish my first book, The Adventures of Andrew Golgotha. Did I pay her back? No, I did not because the book was a fiasco. It was poorly packaged, but I was happy that I finally achieved what I had in mind.

How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

I have written over 200 manuscripts. I have only published less than 10%. From the long list that I have published so far, “Pirates of the Sub-Sahara” is my FAVOURITE. The book is distributed by the African Books Collective.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment as a writer/cartoonist?

One morning, I woke up to find over eight of my books in libraries in the Netherlands, UK, US, Canada, Germany, etc. It was like I won a trophy!

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love travelling. I hope someday I will sail around the world to meet people and eat great meals. Most importantly, I love hanging out with positive people.

Where is the best way to reach you and learn more about your books?

My website: https://sites.google.com/view/omoruyiu/home

Author Links: https://www.africanbookscollective.com

Fiction4All: https://fiction4all.com/ebooks/a2753.htm?id=omoruyiu

NENA:  https://www.librairienumeriqueafricaine.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omoruyiu

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned as a writer?

Writing is in the rewriting.  

What are the challenges of being a writer in Nigeria? 

Book production and distribution are broken in Nigeria. So, it is a challenge for writers and publishers to distribute their works to the end users. Poor government policies, lack of grants for writers and an enabling environment do not help writers develop as fast as they should. We should not forget the high cost of printing materials. Writers who do not have a hefty budget do not stand a chance. If you cannot spend heavily, you are likely not going to self-publish your work.  

What is your assessment of the Nigerian creative landscape today compared to years ago?

With the internet and technology, the Nigerian creative landscape stands a better chance when compared to some years ago. A tech-savvy writer can publish his works worldwide with a few clicks from the comfort of his house. This was never possible in the past. Though this still poses a challenge to writers, the influx of distribution companies like Amazon, Streetlib, publiseer, Kobo, BN, African Books Collective, and NENA, have made publishing on a large scale easy for serious writers.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers, especially in your genre?

DON’T quit. Make the internet your friend. Most of the notable writers have all been rejected at one time or the other.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Stop at African Books Collective, libraries and bookstores to order my latest titles.

What else are you great at that few people know about?

I can rap. I believe someday I will become a rap musician. 

What’s your favourite music/film? 

Music: Tour by Ruger

Film: Lord of the Rings.

How do you relax and what are your hobbies aside from writing?

Hobbies? Rapping, singing…

ODE TO AN AUTHOR NGOZI EBUBEDIKE... by Dr. Dream

Ode to Ngozi Ebubedike, the Wordsmith Extraordinaire

Oh, Ngozi Ebubedike, a creator of poetic ecstasy,

With the stroke of your pen, you dance with the divine.

Your words ignite worlds, your verses set souls free,

Dear author, your brilliance forever shall shine.

In each chapter you weave, a new tale is born,

Characters spring to life, their stories come alive,

With lyrical grace, you unveil worlds torn,

Guiding us through emotions, both tender and thrive.

Your prose, like a symphony, resonates in our minds,

Melodies of truth, wrapped in the garments of art.

Through your stories, wisdom and beauty bind,

As we immerse ourselves in the depths of your heart.

With every word you write, your power unfolds,

Painting pictures with phrases, bringing dreams to light.

Your pen, a magic wand, transforming the old,

Oh, Ngozi Ebubedike, a champion of the write!

What worlds we have explored, thanks to your quill,

From distant lands to mystical realms unknown.

You invite us into your tales, hearts trembling, hearts still,

Taking us on journeys that are uniquely our own.

Your voice, like a whisper, echoes through the pages,

Whispering truths that leave us forever changed.

In your words, we find solace, like ancient sages,

A sanctuary of knowledge, beautifully arranged.

Ngozi Ebubedike, your words are a gift,

A symphony of emotions, a window to the soul.

Through your stories, our spirits you uplift,

In each word and verse, you make us whole.

So, dear author, we raise our pens in tribute,

To a literary genius, bringing light to our days.

Your words, like ink, forever cherished, absolute,

Ngozi Ebubedike, your legacy forever stays.

By Dr. Dream... literature review...

Ikenna Okeh, Poet & Novelist

When I first came across his post on Facebook, I was like this young man is full of anger. I followed his posts and discovered his anger stemmed from the injustice and corruption prevalent in the country. Ikenna Okeh is vocal and unequivocally in stating his opinions about issues ailing the country and humanity. He is such that wants good to always triumph over evil in life and most of his books reflect this ideology.

Having read some of his books, I will say he writes with passion and attention to detail and with a good grasp of his characters. In whatever genre he wrote, his professionalism as a writer always shows forth. His crime novel, The Operative, was a page-turner and his poetry books are incisive. And his children’s books are entertaining and informative to kids and adults alike.

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Ikenna Okeh. I write contemporary fiction and poetry in an attempt to capture the human experience, especially within contemporary settings. I also write music reviews and follow up on artistic trends in the global music scene. You can find all my music-related writings on the Ubuntu FM website, which I co-founded with some other professionals and contributors in the Netherlands, South Africa and Canada. 

What inspired you to become a writer?

I wasn’t exactly inspired by writing. In an actual sense, I was drawn and sucked into it. Sometimes I consider myself a victim of circumstances where it concerns writing.  At the age of eleven, I read a short story and was gravely dissatisfied with it, I told myself I could do better than what I had read. I did, and afterwards began crafting pieces of drama and incomplete short stories, and my siblings became keen readers of my works. But because I never wanted to be a writer, I stopped writing, purely in defiance. I graduated from university, travelled to Lagos to find work. It was one of the most disappointing moments of my life and that got me thinking about what to offer to the world in exchange for the life I desired and which I believed I deserved. To put things in context, after I defied writing as a boy, I intended to become a doctor, but I ended up studying Food Science & Technology at university; I couldn’t worm my way through the barriers of entry into the medical departments of Nigerian public universities. My knowledge in Food Science hasn’t been used in any professional way and I am not pressured about it. 

You write different genres, what’s the secret of your versatility as a writer? How did you choose the genre you write in?

As every writer progresses along their journey towards recognition for their works, it is normal for them to experiment with different forms and styles until they find something they can stick to that offers the greatest reward for their effort. This is my story. Narrative poetry earned me some measure of recognition which I am very much not content with. Contemporary fiction holds great promise for me and that is why there is work ongoing with World Arts Agency whom I am signed, to find a home for my works. 

Is anything in your books based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?

My story plots are fictionalized but mostly based on isolated events that happened in real life. For example, I am currently polishing off a novel manuscript about a Nigerian deported from Northern Cyprus who then has to deal with the stigma associated with being a deportee. The story offered the reader an insight into the realities of the life of a young African in Northern Cyprus and the many challenges they have to contend with. So many people can relate to this and I am certain some will argue on many fronts it is biographical because every Nigerian knows someone close to them who has been deported at some point from overseas. So, yes, my stories are based on events that are obtainable, relatable and as much real.

How did you come up with your titles?

I am someone who loves to experience and observe, and this affords me so much insight into things. It helps me in this regard.

What is your work schedule like when you\"re writing?

I don’t have a strict work schedule but I prefer to write first thing in the morning and sleep off the afternoons, especially now that it is summer. It is always different in winter, though. In springtime, I prefer to sit in a park in the company of blossoming plants and greenery to write. My present location offers me that, and I am eternally grateful for this.

How/where do you get information or ideas for your books?

My ideas for books come from keen observation. Sometimes I see a recurrent event of social importance that goes unnoticed and then I take it as a responsibility to build an engaging plot around it to entertain as well as to enlighten my readers. When I encounter an aspect that I am not too familiar with, I reach out to people who have experience in that area. A lot of my friends are used to having me call at odd hours to interrogate and compare notes with them on certain aspects that I am writing about. 

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your books?

Truly, I learn surprising things constantly, and one outdoes the other. Professionally, I learn a lot from my agent, Jeremy Warren Rourke, whose wealth of experience daily appears bottomless. Recently, I learned how to use chapter outlines to test the quality of my plot so that I can see what’s needed to be weeded out. 

Is there any author or book that influenced you either growing up or as an adult?

She, by Rider H Haggard, is one book that has never ceased to amaze me. It influenced me from much earlier. You see, I love tight plots and fast-paced works that can do something to your adrenaline. Besides, we live in an era where so many things compete for our attention, so if any work of literature can hold onto my attention from the beginning, all through to the end, then it is surely my thing. Recently, I have been thinking about Sex Is A Nigger by Naiwa Osahon. Memories of Our Recent Boom is one book I read as a boy that has stuck in my head ever since. You know, I miss the Nigerian literature of the 1970s. That, to me, was the golden age of African writing. But so much has happened, and I think it is the Biafran war that changed everything.

What do you consider your best accomplishment as a writer?

To be honest with you, my greatest accomplishment so far as a young writer is in sustaining the hope I can someday offer literary entertainment that will serve the taste of a vast audience cutting across continents. You know how it is being an African writer with no indigenous systems to sustain and encourage literature. Instead, we have dictatorial African governments who would rather chase writers from pillar to post in a bid to stifle art and the freedom of expression that it portends; hence the reason we creatives look to Western establishments for sustenance. 

How many books have you written? What are the challenges you faced in writing and publishing them?

I have written and published six works of poetry, two children’s books, including Saving Mungo Park, which I co-authored with Onyeka Nwelue. I have also published a crime novella, The Operative which is set in Nigeria, as all of my novels. We are about to pitch my novel, A Whisper of A Thing Forbidden, to publishers and I am very hopeful about the outcome, considering my agent maintains the work is a classic. As for challenges, I am at the stage in my career where I am dealing with everything that stands in the way of getting noticed by structures and gatekeepers to reading audiences. The most challenging part lies with writing and putting together a piece of literary work that will be worth the time and attention of agents and publishers. After then, a lot of other things come into play. It’s an uphill journey that demands patience and dedication.

How do you coordinate all the different parts of your life to leave room for writing?

I live a very simple life with writing at the centre of it all. I’m not yet married nor do I have any dependant, so this offers me a lot of freedom to pursue writing with patient dedication.

What is your best work so far? Or is the best yet to come?

My works are like dear children to me and it is very hard to favour one over the other. Yet I am certain that the best is yet to come and the choice will have to be made by my readers.

What are the challenges of being a writer in Nigeria, as compared to being a writer outside the shores of the country?

I will have to be personal with this one. The challenge for me is that it is not so easy to maintain an intuitive connection as one finds in Nigeria. Maybe it is because my works are set in Nigeria and somehow it feels tough trying to maintain a psychological connection from abroad. Aside from this, it is easy to find calm and quiet out here as long as you are not sucked into the pressures of keeping up with bills, being adopted into a social system. If this is the case, gradually you begin to lose focus. This is the case with many Nigerian music celebrities who relocated to the US.

How do you promote your books and are they yielding fruits?

Social media remains my best tool. I have sold more on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram than on any other platforms and it is helpful when readers made comments on their feeds about my books, thus helping to sustain the buzz around it. Also, I have sold very reasonably at literary events. I remember selling out all my book copies at Sound of Poetry, which is annually held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.  

 What kind of feedback do you get from your readers?

Sometimes I stumble upon social media tags where a reader has something pleasant to say about my book. This is mostly the kind of feedback I get and it is greatly enriching.

Give us an interesting, fun fact about the writing of any of your books.

I remember travelling to my village in 2017 and listening to our community head laments the feud between our local Anglican cathedral and the community over a vast expanse of ancestral lands which the church was laying claim to, even going on to assemble an intimidating team of high-profile lawyers which the community couldn’t afford. The whole story amused me when I considered that the cathedral was built by the community and sustained by their tithes, offerings, and donations. I had to sit back and begin to write the narrative verse A Tale To Twist which, upon publication, was described by the Country musician, Roger D’Arcy, as being Homeric.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

Yes. I would actually have started out much earlier in my pursuit of writing as a career and got a related undergraduate degree instead. This would have changed everything concerning my writing and publications.

 Where is the best channel to reach you and learn more about your books?

My books are all available on my author website www.ikennaokeh.com.  They are also available on Okadabooks. I am also very much active on social media.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers, especially in your genre?

I will tell any aspiring writer to keep writing and reaching out to industry contacts. There is no other way around this thing.

 When did you start writing and promoting music?

I started promoting music in 2017 when Peter Hesen, a Dutchman who was a fan of my poetry, invited me on board the Ubuntu FM team. By then he and King Mavuthela from South Africa had already set up the groundwork and put things in motion. Together, we launched the online radio stations, drafted out a promotional plan, and took things off the ground. So far, we have continually offered promotional services for record labels, PR firms and indie artists from Europe, Africa and the USA.

What’s your favourite music/film?

I love a good number of movies, and it is hard to make a list of them. However, Mr Johnson comes to mind for its flawed representation of Nigeria in the 1930s. It doesn’t mean I don’t love the movie. As for music, anything by MI Abaga is my favourite. At Ubuntu FM, most of us share the belief that MI Abaga is the best hip-hop artist of all time; his music is ingenious, poetic, and it has class. 

How do you relax and what are your hobbies aside from writing?

I watch a lot of movies and I love conversations over wine or beer, depending on the company. Doing the latter while seated out at the beach at night has become my recent pastime.