Ruyi's World of Books & Stories Interview with Carlos Farias CEO (Wicked Comics)

Q. How would you describe yourself? 

As the founder of Wicked Comics I consider myself to be a very driven individual. I always try to push the limits and always looking to develop new characters and stories. We have over 140 different characters and plan to release a comic every few months.

Q. Tell us something about the comics/books/contents that you have written or created and the story behind them. 

So far we have three titles out. Clownman, KillSwitch and DragonMasters each are different stories. Clownman was our first release and is a rather dark story revolving around a circus performer called Chris Mason. He is a victim of an unspeakable crime and he is left to discover the horrors that are hidden within Dark city. Killswitch is an  anti hero character and prison inmate named Mark Roberts. He is subjected to this top secret program to develop the perfect kill agent under this military organization. Dragonmasters is a huge universe in itself something similar to Masters of the universe and Star wars.  The story takes place in this planet known as Dragonia and there is a powerful symbol known as the Dragon Eye. There is an ongoing conflict between Slayers powerful Dragonslayers that use the darkness of the Dragon Eye and the Masters who use the goodness of the Dragon Eye to try to take back their lands that have been infiltrated by the Slayers. Each of these comics is going to be a huge ongoing series.

Q. What place does writing or content creation hold in your life? 

It plays a huge role I believe. Without a great story just having good art gets rather boring I believe. A story is what keeps fans interested and makes them want to follow the character.

Q. What is your writing process, or a typical writing day routine which include creating your comic characters? 

I would say a typical day varies for me. I do basically everything for the company from comic books, action figures and key chains. Sometimes,  I will be drawing,  other days coloring. It’s a pretty grueling schedule but you have to be consistent in this industry

Q. What marketing techniques have been most effective for you? 

I try to have a few different means to promote; a website is always a good idea. Instagram, Youtube and Facebook have enabled me to grow a solid fan base and keep growing.

Q. What do you think makes a book or comic sell, or makes a reader buy it? 

I would say if the character has something that is relatable to the reader more than fantastic art I believe. Of course the art helps but a solid story line is more important I believe.

Q. What's the most moving or affecting thing a reader has said to you?

Just the feedback I get from readers and fans has been amazing they keep asking me when the next issues are coming out and that means a lot that they enjoy the Wicked characters.

Q. What are your favorite three comic characters, and why? 

My top three are Spawn, Deadpool, Batman. I like them because I really enjoy their back stories and just the design of the characters always drew me to them.

Q. Who are your favorite three comic creators and what do you like the most about them? 

Todd Mcfarlane, Jim lee and Rob Liefield. The 90’s were probably the biggest influence in why I created Wicked Comics. I don’t really read modern comics at all anymore.

Q. Tell us about the works/comics that you are currently working on and their progress. 

At the moment I’m working on two other titles BloodStone and Cronus. Bloodstone is a story about an assassin named Bishop Cross who comes in contact with a fallen angel containing an ancient deadly stone and is transformed in a new blood guardian. In the story there are several different stones each giving whoever comes in contact with it a different ability. Cronus is a Greek mythology story in which he is set out to kill the goddess of power Aurelia the only human mortal strong enough to kill the gods but something happens in the story and Cronus becomes a slave to the underworld and he must set out on a journey to recover a war horse named Arion in order to Kill Hades.

Q. What challenges do you think are faced by writers and content creators like you, what's the worst thing about the industry according to you? 

I would say it’s hard to stay original. We live in a time that mostly all story ideas have been done to death but there is always a way to put your own twist to your own original characters and stories.

Q. Apart from writing and creating wonderful comic characters, what goals do you want to achieve in life?

I just want Wicked Comics to be a successful company similar to Marvel, Dc and Image. I feel we have the potential to be just as big as these companies because I believe we have very original stories and characters for future generations to enjoy.

Q. What message do you want to share with budding writers and content creators? 

Just follow your dreams and try to be the best at whatever it is you want to pursue. It’s an extremely hard industry but if you believe in yourself things will happen for you  just be persistent.

Q Where can readers find you on social media?

 Website

Facebook page

Facebook group

Youtube channel

Instagram

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Free Book: The Adventures of Nihu

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Synopsis: Nihu is falsely accused of a crime and is banished to the Lonely Forest. He is challenged with a mission by a magical character. As brave Nihu quests to fulfill the mission and gain his freedom, he is sucked into a world inside of a stone, visits a powerful ruler in an underwater city, and makes friends with a group of refugees only a hero could love.

Author: Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

Publisher: Human Change Communications Company

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Ruyi's World of Books & Stories Author Interview with Ololade Akinlade Ige

Ololade Akinlade Ige

Q. How would you describe yourself? 

Ololade Akinlabi Ige by name, a lover of Art who writes poems and prose.

Q. Tell us something about the books that you have written and the story behind them. 

I have always been writing more of poetry than prose. This is my first published prose work and the societal stigmatization on ladies for every expensive mistake they make propelled it.

Q. What place does writing hold in your life, how has been your writing journey so far?

Writing is synonymous to my life, it is my shadow which I can't from. My writing journey so far has been up and down, there are happy days in writing and there are frustrated days as well.

Q. What is your writing process, a typical writing day routine? 

I write when muse strikes me to do so. And one thing about my muse is that, it doesn't allow me to rest until I fulfill its request.

Q. What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

Through social media, mostly WhatsApp and Facebook

Q. What do you think makes a book sell, or makes a reader buy it? 

When you write what is worth reading, people will look for your book.

Q. What's the most moving or affecting thing a reader has said to you? 

Each time reader wows at my work, I feel elated. And on the other hand, each time I receive destructive criticism, it weakens me. I'm always opened to criticism though, but a constructive one.

Q. What are your favourite three books, and why? 

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie, the book says it all, the book left no stone unturned. It captures the focused theme perfectly well.

The New Man- Femi Ademiluyi, that was the first novel I read as a teenager back then and I must confess, I love the flow.

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Q. Who are your favourite three authors and what do you like the most about them?

My favourite authors include poets and they are:

TadeIpadeola- the simplicity in his poetry and his use of words in unique way.

Niyi Osundare- the man who direct personification as if he had its remote.

Ngozi Adichie- I don't know why, I just love the woman. I love her exploration.

Q. Tell us about the books that you are currently writing and their progress. 

For now, I don't have any prose work at hand. I'm taking my time to study my environment.

Q. What challenges do you think are faced by writers, what's the worst thing about the book industry according to you? 

Uhn, there is no much money in writing and as a result, most writers give up. But I'm using this medium to tell writers, please, do not drop your passion, seek fulfillment in your passion.

Q. Apart from writing, what goals do you want to achieve in life? 

I want to live, make impact; leave behind my name long after I must have gone.

Q. What message do you want to share with budding writers?

Persistence, consistency and resilience.

If you enjoyed the interview,
read Ololade's new book, After One!

She triumphs over her woes....

She overcomes her past ...

Enjoy this intriguing story...

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You Shouldn't Lay Down Your Crown by Graciano Enwerem.

 A poet called to share his testimony how his audio was played yesterday in a very "jabronic" almost insignificant radio station. Another poet sent me a recording of his voice performing on stage that was played on TV... not so local a television station, but very far below standard. A fan told me how he listened to Dike Chukwumerije's poem on radio in Lagos and waited for mine until he slept off. I also saw posts of a lot of my poet friends and students narrating how they enjoyed air play yesterday. Oh, I also remember that I was one of the poet invited to perform in a very local television station in Port Harcourt 2 years ago and how when we were done, the staff in charge came and said to me, 'anything for the boys?' I laughed but he was damn serious. 

The other poets who had attended the on air meeting previous years calmly said to me that it's normal. They narrated how they've always, 'dropped' something to 'oil their palms' and 'buy fuel'. I ended up 'dropping' 2,000 Naira that day but swore never to grant them interview even if they're inviting:

Sage Hasson, 

Efe Paul Azino, 

Wole Soyinka, 

Donna Ogunnaike, 

Olumide Holloway and all other poets that I respect. 

I said all of these to say this, we should stop celebrating mediocrity! It is true that we've moved from being almost not celebrated to being 'recognized' but there's more we could have achieved, first as individuals then as a collective bunch of artistes. Only between yesterday and the day before it, over 30 OAPs asked for my audio recordings. Like they don't know that the audios are online. Even when I gave them the links, some of them insisted that I send the files to them because they won't have time to download. I told them that I wouldn't have time to share the files. You see, if this happens to me, I wonder what is the fate of the not so popular poets. 

It seems we've gradually started to not just accept but also become satisfied with this trend. The trend where our contents will only be on demand every World Poetry Day. I've always been a sucker for special days and the things people do with them. How some people will never take their spouse on a date until it's February 14th, how most people only go to church on the last day of the year, how some Christians only pray when they're in trouble but this hate for this special day for poetry and the eye-service practices is different. You know why? Because it plays light our efforts to go mainstreams. It ridicules what most poetry promoters like me stand for. Truth is nothing will change if we maintain statuesque. I won't advise any poet to assume a brand that's bigger than his or her worth but I'll definitely charge us to see beyond our individual inclinations and proclivities. It's not about just you. If you lay your crown, people will use it as a carpet. If this happens, no matter how much quality we possess and exhibit, our crowns (which by the way all look same) will look like carpets regardless of the head wearing them. I've bounced events not because the 20K or 30k they're offering won't add value to my personal needs but because I was wondering what they'd offer to the poets under me if that's what they're offering me especially when I compare it to what they've stuffed in the accounts of other artistes. 

READ ALSO MAY YOUR ROAD BE ROUGH BY TAI SOLARIN

Funny enough, the events where I was paid well were the same events I was treated well. Contrary to popular opinion, they won't make up for their deficiency of a worthy honorarium with good PR. It has happened countless times to me and numerous friends that I know. Stop celebrating mediocrity. Look beyond your personal needs and have regard for our collectively class. Finally, don't overestimate your worth. I still maintain that you shouldn't lay down your crown. If a platform is bigger than you, instead of going about looking for butt holes to lick, patiently work on your value/brand until you're fit enough to be honored accordingly. Leave your crown where it belongs... On your head! Get better. Buy books that would improve your grammar, rhetoric and pronunciation. Rhyming and the use of wordplay can be improved on. Get mentors to help you make sensitive decisions that will help you brand. Submit to people that have passed the road your preparing to ply. Don't let things happen to you, happen to things. Because like a drop of water on a large body of water, we'll all feel the rippling effects.

Meet Graciano Enwerem. He's a lecturer, poet, presenter, literary critic and the author of SPOKEN WORD POETRY-101.

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"Wonder Woman" from the book, "Love, War & Glory" by Denis Olasehinde Akinmolasire.

Wonder woman. My wonder woman.
There may officially be eight wonders in the world,
but as far as I am concerned,
the only wonder in this world is you.

You’re my light, my strength, my guiding angel.
You’re the reason I come home at night.
All the ingredients I could want in a woman are in you.
They say that nothing is perfect, but you’re as close to perfection as can be.

I have never seen someone so kind, so gentle, yet so humble.
It’s amazing how I feel whenever I am with you.
With you I feel that anything is possible.
Whenever I’m sad, you are there to provide me with a smile.

When I need support, you provide me with a rock to stand on.
And most of all, the love you provide is everlasting.
Wonder woman. You’re my wonder woman now and forever more.
I really do not want to be without you.

You’re my wonder woman for life.


Meet Denis

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You're Not a Country, Africa by Pius Adesanmi

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In this groundbreaking collection of essays Pius Adesanmi tries to unravel what it is that Africa means to him as an African, and by extension to all those who inhabit this continent of extremes. This is a question that exercised some of the continent's finest minds in the twentieth century, but which pan-Africanism, Negritude, nationalism, decolonization and all the other projects through which Africans sought to restore their humanity ultimately failed to answer. Criss-crossing the continent, Pius Adesanmi engages with the enigma that is Africa in an attempt to make meaning of this question for all twenty-first century Africans.

Pius Adesanmi was a Nigerian-born Canadian professor, writer, literary critic, satirist, and columnist. He was the author of Naija No Dey Carry Last, a 2015 collection of satirical essays. Adesanmi died on 10 March 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after take-off.

Jane the Good Girl by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

Jane the Good Girl by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

                                             

Mum wants to visit the zoo with Jane and Billy. When she was set to go, she could not find her car keys. Mum looked under the chair and did not find the keys. She also checked the table, but the keys were not there.

Jane saw her Mum looking about, and then she asked, “Mum, what are you looking for?”

“I can’t find my car keys,” she told Jane sadly.

“Have you checked the room?” Jane asked her Mum and sat up.

“NO, I have not,” Mum said. “Do you think it will be there?”

“You can never tell. Let me go and see if the keys are there,” Jane told her Mum.

Jane rose from the chair and ran into the room. She looked here and there. She checked under the bed. There was nothing. She also looked at the shelf at the other side of the room. The car keys were not there too. Biting her lower lips, she slowly looked about again. “It can’t be. The keys must be in this room. My Mum was here a while ago,” she thought. “If it is not in the sitting room, then it is here.”

Then Jane looked at the bed for one last time as if something had just told her that the keys were there. She moved close to the bed. She placed her hand under the head rest and gently moved her hand here and there. One of her fingers felt something like steel. Her mind did not play tricks on her!

She raised the head rest and was glad to see the keys. She smiled at the car keys because she knew without them they won’t go to the zoo. “Mum must have left it when she came to check her face in the mirror,” she thought. Jane took the keys and ran out of the room. Mum was still looking about in the sitting room when she ran in. “Mum, I found it,” she said, smiling.

 Mum raised her head and smiled back at her. She was glad that her little girl found her missing car keys. “Thank you, my girl. Where did you find it?” she asked.

“It was under your head rest on the bed,” Jane said.

“Ah, I am getting old. I forgot that I dropped it when I went to check my face in the mirror.” She gave Jane a pat on the back and smiled, “You did well. Let us go!”

Jane, Billy and her Mum walked quietly out of the house. They got into the car and then she drove them to the zoo.

READ ALSO:
The Adventures of Nihu
The Promised Land