As a writer of children’s literature, I was naturally drawn to the author spotlight session during the Africa Forward Fest (AFF), held from 7-9 May in Nairobi.

The session featured Shiko Nguru, author of the middle-grade book series Intasimi Warriors, published by Lantana Publishing, UK. Both children and adults were captivated by Nguru’s vibrant, engaging personality and enthusiasm for books. “Reading needs to be fun even when it's for learning,” she told us early on in the session. 

The literary festival brought together authors, publishers and educators to exchange literary ideas and experiences across English and French-speaking African countries. Organised by Alliance Française de Nairobi, in partnership with eKitabu, it took place ahead of the first Africa Forward Summit chaired by Kenya and France. That summit brought together Kenyan President William Ruto, French President Emmanuel Macron, and heads of state from other African countries.

Shiko’s passion for books began in childhood. As a child, she would sometimes fake being unwell at school just so she could sit in the secretary’s office and read the books kept there.

She read an excerpt from the first book, Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask, and spoke candidly about her writing process and passion for nurturing reading in children. Her journey as an author began very organically, stemming from a lifelong love of reading, fantasy stories, and African mythology. Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone is her favourite fantasy novel series.

Kenyan-centred stories

When Lantana Publishing House commissioned her to write a children’s book series, Nguru was committed to storytelling from a Kenyan context and centred on Kenyan children, while also crafting stories that children anywhere could enjoy. “I use local words and personalities, then explain briefly what a mandazi is or about the music group, Sauti Sol.”

A graduate of political science and marketing, Shiko has no formal training in creative writing. “Consequently, I do a lot of online research, read up on our cultural myths and characters, then tone them down for kids.” Watching different genres of movies and reading literature from around the world feeds her with more book ideas. “The word intasimi is from the Maa language and means ‘magical charm’. I chose the word because I wanted my series to be distinctly Kenyan, right from the title.”

Asked about competing with authors from the northern hemisphere, which has a vastly bigger publishing industry, Shiko was confident about the opportunities that exist for African writers. “The Western world is hungry for our stories because theirs have been retold for a very long time, whereas our writing is something different.”

She spoke honestly about the realities of writing, admitting that the editing phase was her least exciting. Quoting author Shannon Hale, Nguru said that writing the first draft is like “shovelling sand into a hole”, but the second round is for building sandcastles.

The children’s book market in Kenya is relatively small but growing, and Shiko applauds eKitabu for organising book events for young readers. She would love to see more publishers getting authors into schools and organising book events for children of all grades. “We need to encourage building of libraries and reading events,” she said. “And adults need to model the behaviour.”

Reading is very much part of everyday life in Shiko’s home. “I’m also a big believer in building a strong read-aloud culture, and I make it a priority to read with my children as often as possible, for learning and connection.”

 Daily discipline

Shiko admits it is hard to pick up the writing process for a new book after a long hiatus and emphasised that a daily discipline of writing underpins her creative process. For the Intasimi series, she wrote for two hours early each morning for months, working backwards from strict deadlines. “I keep to this discipline because I believe I have a responsibility to share this gift with the world,” she said, adding that, “writing is my sacred time, and even my children and husband know this.”

Shiko admits it is hard to pick up the writing process for a new book after a long hiatus. A daily discipline of writing underpins her creative process. For the Intasimi series, she wrote for two hours early each morning for months, working backwards from a given deadline. “I keep to this discipline because I believe I have a responsibility to share this gift with the world,” said Shiko, adding that “writing is my sacred time, and even my children and husband know this.”

In her closing comments, Nguru reflected her belief in seizing the moment. “If you get an idea and don’t act on it, I really believe it will go to someone else. So let creativity find you working, and the discipline will see you through.”

The literary festival, previously known as NYrobi Book Fest, is now in its fifth edition as the renamed Africa Forward Fest. The three-day literary celebration was a mix of moderated panel sessions, value chain discussions, storytelling, poetry, and a showing of the play After 4.30 by David Maillu.

The Prix de L’edition Jeunesse Africaine (African Youth Edition prize), a pan-African literary award, was unveiled at the Fest. Publishers from Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo-Brazzaville won awards for book categories in the early years, children’s stories, teen novels, and comics.

Joan Onyando, publishing manager, highlighted eKitabu’s commitment to making African stories accessible across linguistic and regional boundaries. “Although Kenya is primarily Anglophone, there is growing interest in French-language learning in schools and general readers and we can help support a greater exchange within the African publishing ecosystem.”

Kari Mutu is author of The Firemakers of Azali, an African fantasy fiction novel for middle-graders.