Anwuli Ojogwu, editor and co-founder of Narrative Landscape Press, has advised Nigerian writers to broaden their approach to storytelling, noting that publishing books alone is not enough to build a sustainable writing career.
Speaking during a panel session titled “The Business Side of Storytelling” at the Write With Music Festival in Lagos, Ojogwu said writers should consider other platforms where their skills are needed, including advertising, branding, and media writing.
“I don’t think the sole goal of being a writer and earning money should be just books,” she said. “You can work in advertising, branding, and public relations. There are so many ways you can apply your talent rather than waiting to write that book.”
Ojogwu spoke alongside Nigerian author Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi and certified copyeditor Amarachukwu Obika, who stressed the importance of continuous learning to remain relevant.
Obika noted that writers must keep upgrading their skills: “If you want to do your best, you cannot depend on what you learnt 20 years ago.”
Ojogwu also cautioned against overreliance on artificial intelligence, urging young writers to preserve creativity and originality. She described AI as a tool that should be used sparingly.
Nwokedi shared her experience of learning to place financial value on her work: “I had to separate the creative and business part of me and ascribe value to my time and effort.”
The Write With Music Festival, now in its third edition, explores how sound and storytelling intersect to inspire creative work.