In Harare, Zimbabwe, Kingston Dhewa is a new author selling novels on WhatsApp to over 1,000 followers. He writes in the local Shona language, inspired by other Shona authors, and explores themes related to African rural life. Dhewa’s writing journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown when he started sharing his stories on a WhatsApp group. He has since written and published 43 novels, charging readers $2 per book. Despite his success, he struggles to afford a laptop to write more efficiently.
WhatsApp has become a popular platform for authors in Zimbabwe to self-publish their work and engage with readers. Authors like Pamela Ngirazi, who has over 21,000 followers, share their stories on WhatsApp Channels for a fee. Readers pay for access to the full book, typically in PDF format, via mobile money transfer services. The rise of digital platforms has made e-books more accessible, but high data costs and low incomes limit the reach of these services in Zimbabwe.
While self-publishing on WhatsApp has its advantages, traditional publishing in Zimbabwe still holds prestige. Philip Chidavaenzi, a Zimbabwean author and publisher, views traditional publishing as a more regulated and quality-controlled process. Economic challenges, including hyperinflation and piracy, have impacted the traditional publishing industry, leading to a decline in book sales. As new authors turn to self-publishing on WhatsApp, concerns around copyright and intellectual property arise.
The Zimbabwean publishing industry is facing challenges due to economic instability and illegal photocopying of books. Authors are encouraged to register their works with the Zimbabwe Copyright Office to protect their intellectual property rights. However, enforcement of copyright laws is lax, making it difficult for authors to prevent unauthorized sharing of their works. Despite these challenges, self-publishing on WhatsApp has provided opportunities for emerging authors to share local stories with a wider audience.
For Kingston Dhewa, self-publishing on WhatsApp has allowed him to efficiently write and share stories that reflect African culture and rural life. He hopes to achieve literary success like popular Shona novelist Patrick Chakaipa. While traditional publishing may offer advantages such as higher advances and better royalties, self-publishing on WhatsApp provides a platform for new authors to reach readers directly. As the digital publishing landscape evolves, authors in Zimbabwe are exploring new ways to engage with audiences and overcome economic challenges within the industry.
