Magunga Williams is best known for his witty posts on his blog and other platforms that he writes for. He describes himself as a bachelor with issues who hopes that someone will read his tales and pay him for his words. In a bid to see that his words and those of other authors are shared he recently launched an online bookstore books.magunga.com. It has a myriad of African literature and any ferocious reader would be spoiled for choice. We had a chat with him and he had a lot to say about the book store.
What inspired you to start an online book store?
I love words. I think they are one of the few things I have ever truly loved, and they are also one of the few things that have ever truly loved me back. Words feed me, clothe me, shelter me. Words keep me alive, not just because I write for a living, but because I write to live. Words, when used very well, creates the most attractive form of art; stories. I started my bookstore because of my love for stories. In any case, my creative writing blog, The Magunga is a theatre of stories untold. Therefore it is not surprise that a little part of it is dedicated to selling books.
Why online?
Well, that is where everyone is. The internet is the future. We order stuff, all kinds of stuff online – from sex to alcohol and to transport- so why not books?
The books available on the site are by African authors. Is the online book store going to offer strictly African literature?
The thing that made me decide to make it exclusively African stories was the simple fact that there are beautiful gems in this continent that remain undiscovered because of the numerous titles from the West. That is not to say that there are no good books from the West, or that books by Western writers suck, it is just to say that African books need more attention. That is all. By the way, I also stock books that I have read and liked, most of which are African titles. Some of the titles on my store are not being stocked anywhere else in Kenya. I seek them out and share them with the people here.The other thing that made my skin crawl is when I walked into one of the bookshops in the city and I was told they do not sell African titles. It was a WTF moment. The irony of a bookshop in the heart of Africa that does not sell African books. Imagine that! But anyway, to be fair, that was just one shop.
What is the criteria used to select the books that are available on the site?
Is it by an African author? Check!
Can up and coming authors have their books on the site? If yes, what is the process?
Budding writers, old writers, experienced writers, young blood…all of them have space on my website. The process is, you send me an email on bookstore@magunga.com, complete with the cover and information about the book (there is an easy form to fill) and then we put it up.
You obviously provide a variety of genres, are we bound to have exotic literature, something romantic?
Exotic literature? Hahaha. What does that mean? Romantic? I already have romantic texts on the site. Have you read Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie? What about Akello by Abigail Arunga? Season of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar Ibrahim Adam or Kintu by Makumbi? Well, books are never just about one thing. So these texts I have mentioned may not be exclusively about romance but they are romantic, best believe.
Can we expect audio books and books in African languages?
Oh yes! You should.
Do you offer door to door delivery and do I as a buyer cover the cost?
Yes and yes. I do deliver, if the buyer requests. However you know, the thing is, convenience comes at a cost. In this case, a small cost. Remember, though, that delivery in the Nairobi CBD is free of charge.
How long does it take to get a book after purchase?
Maximum period is 48 hours depending on location of delivery. It never takes that long though. In most cases it happens in a day. We strive to be fast.
What do you hope to achieve with the online book store?
I hope to spread stories. That is why our tagline is spreading the word. I want to allow people to feel what I feel when I read a story. I want people to have a book-hangover after they have enjoyed a good book. I want people to stop what they are doing at some point and reminisce about just how far an author took them. I want them to try finding their way back to that place after closing the book, and I want them to fail miserably, because that is not a place one just goes. It is a place an author takes you. And that ride is beautiful.
On a scale of 1-10 (1-extremely poor / 10-Excellent) how would you rate the reading culture among Kenyans now?
Kenyans read. Kenyans do not just like buying materials to read.
Can we expect a book by you very soon?
Yes, soon. Soon here being defined by how Jesus meant it when He said “I will be back soon” about 2000 years ago, before disappearing into the clouds.
What is the one book that you would recommend to everyone?
It is a collection of short stories titled Hera Mudho, written by Magunga Williams Oduor. The stories are in my head, but they are yet to flow down to my fingers. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. If you are patient enough and faithful enough, you can wait for it. If you are not, then you should try reading Smithereeens of Death by Olubunmi Familoni or Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi.
In his words, you can find his little kiosk on books.magunga.com or on social media (Twitter:@MagungaBooks, Instagram: @MagungaBooks and Facebook: fb.com/TheMagunga).