Cover2Cover Books in partnership with FunDza Literacy Trust held a successful launch of the anthology #LoveReading. What stood out about the anthology is that it featured everything from poems, short stories to non-fictional profiles – something that Cover2Cover had never done before.
The anthology contained popular content from FunDza’s mobi site. What was truly exciting was that most of the featured writers had never seen their names in a hardcopy book before.
What’s a book without the people who are addicted to the smell of ink? Bookworms didn’t disappoint – people came to the party in droves and the venue had no unoccupied seats! Even though the launch happened towards the end of the year when people are saving up for December holidays, all the available copies of the book were sold! There was too much variety in the anthology to not take a copy home.
Literacy activist and radio host Nancy Richards picked the writer’s brains, firing questions to discover what inspires their writing. After an interesting one hour interview, attendees enjoyed the mouth-watering snacks and tasty wine over a buzz of lively conversation.
The writers had their hands full (literally) as book buyers lined up to have their copies signed. The authors weren’t the only shining stars in the building – camera-flashes kept the rooms lit as selfies were the order of the day.
While the guests couldn’t wait to go home read the book, the authors equally couldn’t wait to share the good news (and selfies) with their social media friends. One of the writers, Nandi Tshabane, gives her account:
“Firstly, let me be honest, I was totally surprised to discover that my blog was going to be published in the #Love Reading anthology. The blog itself was a just a chance I took when I was “forced” by my colleague Phoebe to write a blog about being gay. So naturally I wrote the blog as honestly as I could. I’m glad it got Dorothy and Rossie’s (Cover2Cover compilers) attention enough to feature the blog in the book.
The evening of the launch, it was a packed house. I must say that made me nervous because that meant having to answer questions in front of all those people. What made me relax was the presence of all my colleagues smiling as always. There was a huge excitement amongst the Cover2Cover and FunDza staff as #LoveReading happens to be completely different from the other books they had published in the past.
There was excitement, anxiety amongst the writers too, but for me it was total disbelief to realise that I am a published writer. Being published has motivated me to read more, so that I can learn different styles of writing, this will guide me in turning my blog about my life into a book one day. So watch this space. I would like to also use this platform to thank FunDza and Cover2Cover for giving me an opportunity to be in the Literacy space because all my life I have been travelling so now I feel like I have reached my destination.”