My Beef With Nigerian Bookstores Especially Silverbird #SilverbirdPayOurAuthors
A wise man once told me, do not speak or write when you are angry. ok I lied, a wise man never told me that ish[sic]….I read it on the Internet some time ago when I was searching for crap to kill time with.
Nonetheless it is very good advise, because when you are angry you can write ish[sic] that you will regret…so I am probably going to regret this article I am about to write. But I have to write it because I am sick and tired of getting robbed by Nigerian bookstores. Bookstores who take your books, sell your books and then give you the run around for your own money…frustrating you to the point that you succumb to their bureaucracy and forget about your books and payment.
In reality forgetting about the money is what I have considered doing for a while. Which means ignore my anger and act as if everything is ok…but everything is not ok! I am sick sick sick. Sick and tired of scratching recharge cards and calling bookstores only to receive stories such as madam is not around, call back in 2 weeks (which occurs exactly 2 weeks after being told that same phrase), our manager just got fired, our manager is not around or the classic: I thought we had paid you already.
I have heard so many excuses, that I am half waiting for a book titled: THE EXCUSES: How To Steal Money From Nigerian Authors By Creating Stories. written by ________ bookstore!
Sadly, I realized that If I publicly expressed how I truly felt about this situation my books might never appear at those bookstores ever again…but then I realized that If I didn’t speak up, they would continue with their silent robbery and keep stealing from authors, while living under the false pretense that they are doing us a favor. And then I can imagine that little girl with dreams of making a living as an author having to deal with the whole bureaucratic nonsense all over again. So I decided to step forward and speak up against the silent robbery going on daily in some Nigerian bookstores.
I call the robbery silent because you don’t realize that you are being robbed. These stores make you write letters and letters before they take your books, then they charge you anywhere from 30 to 40 percent on all sales made. But when they are done selling the books that you marketed yourself, they will keep silent. The only way to know that you have any money is to stalk call or visit them. And when you do make contact, they put you on a bureaucratic spin of robbery through frustration. They make you call and call, visit and visit and then tell you tons of stories but you never see your money just excuses. Their whole strategy is that if enough authors get the run around, they will end up getting frustrated and giving up thus making the bookstores a cool 100 percent profit on their books. They might deny it, but this is exactly what they do whether indirectly or directly. Which is why the robbery is silent, you don’t know it is occurring but overtime you start to realize, that if you are this frustrated there are surely 30-40 authors out there who have given up on collecting their money. The culmination of monies given up is where the silent but deadly robbery occurs.
So I said enough! I will not keep quite again. I will speak up against bookstores, especially the management of those stores…
Number one on this list of silent robbery are the folks of Silverbird bookstores. No one does a better job at silent robbery than Silverbird. I often take great pride in saying that my books are in Silverbird Port-harcourt, Lagos, Abuja and Ghana…people like to hear that…what they don’t know is that I am being owed over N250,000 in sold books from all 4 stores combined and anywhere from 6-12 months overdue! To this date Port-Harcourt (finally made first payment 2 weeks ago) and Ghana are yet to pay a dime…I take that back…a kobo for any books supplied to them.
I have spoken to numerous Managers, sat down in many offices but all I hear are the same old recycled excuses…the first time I heard them it made sense, but when I heard them over and over again I began to get suspicious. It was always the Manager or accountant is not around or the manager is on vacation or we are working to improve our payment system….yada yada…I mean I have never walked into a Silverbird mall and been like: “You see my manager was not around this month so he didn’t pay me my salary…so do you think it is okay for me to buy a book, eat popcorn and watch your movie and then pay you when my manager comes back in 6 months time?” I am sure would get slapped and hurled out by security if I tried that.
So why does Silverbird bookstores believe they can do the same to authors.
What irks me even more is that Silverbird Lagos and many of the stores owing money are within driving distance…so I can visit them everyday but yet amazon.com whose manager I have never met and whose office location I have no idea where it is, send me payment and a monthly statement without me asking for it. It just appears in my account like magic. And yet amazon manages more inventory than all the Silverbird stores combined times a couple hundred. But Silverbird on the other hand believes that paying authors monies owed to them on time is magically impossible or that authors are not worthy of a monthly statement and check without them making numerous emails or calls!
If you can read this Silverbird and Glendora, know that it is not okay, to owe authors over a year without paying them their money, that is stealing, it is not okay to make them run around for their own money, that is insensitive and dis-respectful (and let’s not forget the opportunity cost of them running around could be used to write another book or rest…but I digress).
And authors out there reading this…it is not okay for you to fight and scream before you get paid…it is not okay to spend precious minutes running around visiting bookstores for sales update…More importantly, it is not okay to keep quiet when you know you are being owed or being given the run around. If everyone keeps quiet nothing will change…If you have an experience positive or negative I do encourage you to share so that people know whats going on. I beg that you do not get clouded with the over excitement of having your book in a fancy bookstore, because if they are not paying you after sales it pointless!
Ironically I have offered solutions to Silverbird before (especially the Lagos branch). I suggested having a discussion forum with authors to see how they can improve their system, but that fell on deaf ears. I asked if they could pay authors ahead of time so they don’t owe anybody, but they said they only do that for foreign authors (I really don’t know what they meant by foreign authors). I even suggested them setting up an automated direct deposit system…and I was told that would be too much work for them (huh). I was even told to adjust to the Nigeria way and toughen up and call more aggressively for my money. Excuse me…
They might be the biggest bookstores in Nigeria, but size is not defined by square footage but rather by quality and efficiency of service.So I have decided….F it! I am not giving my books anymore to bookstores who owe me money. They might be the biggest bookstores in Nigeria, but size is not defined by square footage but rather by quality and efficiency of service. Nigerian bookstores that understand this concept are the folks at TerraCulture and Laterna. They both call you up when your check is ready and even deposit the money into your account along with a sales report. That’s how business should be done. They don’t tell fictional stories about your own money or book sales, they are up front with you…if the Silverbird’s, the Hub’s and the Glendora’s of Nigeria borrow a leaf book (a page simply won’t be enough) from the Laterna’s and Terraculture’s…authors will sell more and bookstores will even make more money and everybody will be happy. But yet they still maintain their status-quo of excuses upon excuses upon excuses…bleeding authors dry with frustration.
But we can make them stop by speaking up…
How You Can Help Authors: If you feel strongly about this issue and want to help authors in Nigeria. Just visit the Silverbird page here and fill out their contact form at the bottom with the subject “Pay Our Nigerian Authors” along with your thoughts or you could simply tweet this blog post (look to your top left) with the hash tag #SilverbirdPayOurAuthors.
Remember tweets and retweets are free so feel free to abuse the tweet button.
Ofili is an award winning anger management coach motivational speaker, author, success coach and cook entrepreneur who blogs about life, success and entrepreneurial excellence. Follow him on twitter , facebook or subscribe to his blog for more success TIPS!” To bring Ofili to your school or organization as a speaker simply go here.
He has written two books, How Laziness Saved My Life and the best-selling How Stupidity Saved My Life, to find out how they both saved his life visit ofilispeaks.com
Wishing You Extreme Success,
Most of these Big companies na “Onigbesay.” You have achieved visibility already, consider selling a majority stake of your products online & I mean directly(Amazon rips enough writers off already). Join the ranks & become a One-man Army!
That’s the ultimate goal…to go online. We’ll see how i goes sha…we’ll keep fighting. Thanks for the comments.
Silverbird has entered one chance… Where is my pen…. ****evil laughter**** hehehehehehe
lol…the only place they have entered is the truth.
More like it! Glad your shared this. Prior to this write-up,I’m sure some owed author out of the delusion that their books are available in ‘Silverbird Bookstore’ are scared to speak up! Yes! Let the Campaign begin. I trust Nigerians
Yeah…hopefully other authors hear and speak up.
Boss, can’t you sue?
Sometimes social media can be more effective. Also as I tell a lot of people…my goal is not primarily the money but to ensure that Silverbird improve their payment systems to Authors.
But Silverbird why?
In this time and age do they really think they can do someting like this and get away with it without people knowing?
Hia!
I’m waiting for the concluding part of this story
Fact is they get away with it cause people don’t speak up.
I will personally tell the manager of Glendora to pay you. This is not good business practice.
That would help. They are telling me to come to Jazzhole to talk to them. I am tired of driving to places for money, they should deposit in my account…so we can go on. I have not even really said the complete issues I have had with Glendora. I am waiting for management meeting to hear their side of the story.
I’ll advice you to get a Lawyer to write on ur behalf to them a Pre-action notice giving them 2weeks to pay up or face legal redress. Sometimes dt letter is all debtors need to pay up. A strongly worded one will suffice. Don’t rely on social media campaign alone. Most businesses hate court cases and d fees they’ll pay to defend. I know how many debts have been recovered via this means. Trust me, I’m a lawyer!
Feel ya. We’ll see how this stuff works out. If nothing then we’ll bring in the lawyers >=/
I go about encouraging young people to write because one day they will reap from their royalties and a story like this just come and washes down all ones effort. Thank you Ofili for speaking up. This would be the second bookstore(all d one u mentioned above as one) who don’t pay author after sales. Writers must come together and find a way to make the seemingly responsible book stores responsible. Cheers
The thing is too bad jare. I disagree so much with their sales on demand strategy…it is lazy strategy. They should buy books up front at discounted prices and whatever they make afterwards they keep. This way they are proactive in marketing and selling the books…
I go about encouraging young people to read and write because one day they will reap from their royalties and a story like this just come and washes down all ones effort. Thank you Ofili for speaking up. This would be the second bookstore(all d one u mentioned above as one) who don’t pay author after sales. Writers must come together and find a way to make the seemingly responsible book stores responsible. Cheers
Have you considered getting a few authors together to form a writer’s guild? There ought to be basic agreements and practices that ought to be followed. If a significant number of Nigerian based authors can do this and refuse to have their books sold in stores where they act with such disregard for professionalism, there will be a sea change.
Yeah we need such an organization. We have a national authors organization in Abuja but i have not really felt any impact from them as regards writing and reading in Nigeria.
Well, you can’t put your foot in your mouth to stop you from complaining. Go on and let it out. As my friend Shrek would say: “better out than in”.
If I was your ANGER MANAGEMENT COACH, I would exhort you to go on and write that BOOK OF EXCUSES already; and stock the whole pile in Silverbird Stores. I am sure when their indebtedness to you piles high to their roof, they may cede the whole store to you as payment. This could save your life.
How about that?
How Excuses Saved My Life….hmm…let me think about that.
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
I have never commented on your writings but I feel I should do so now. We have a MAJOR issue when it comes to quality of service here in Nigeria especially these so-called ‘big’ folks. We can suck up to foreigners but when it comes to in-house folks we are as nasty as can be. I support you whole heartedly, Ofili and I will spread the word. Enough is Enough!!!!
PS: Don’t worry about getting your book out there or the repercussions of speaking out against Silverbird. Remember, when one door closes another will open. Hopefully Terrakulture will keep up with their good work and other people will take a cue from them.
Thanks Jessica! The issue is really big…we have too many monopolies and customers are oblivious to their rights. The more we organize our voices…the more we will make impacts.
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
Reminds me of the cheesecake factory article…This is a pure case of ‘Overpromising and Underdelivering’. Wish U luck in recovering ur debt or U might as well appoint me as an agent to recover the debt on ur behalf for a paltry fee of 10% of your total receivables payable upon recovery of all debt owed to U by d bookstores….#TeamOfili
Thanks =) Appreciate the words of support.
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
This is really good. I can’t believe there’s still so much disregard for nigerian authors in their own land! Which one is” we only do that for foreign authors”. Whatever that means. At least by breaking the silence other writers can come out boldly to also share their experiences and more importantly this could birth an idea that will cause a change in the way things are done.
Way to go… let the fight begin…. but I think as authors, we need to build a formidable structure… ehen, did i they truly say something about what they do only for foreign authors? I think Silverbird wants to chased outa town…. we can run them down.
Amen o…we have stores like Laterna and Terraculture and now Konga.com and dealdey.com are coming up to be the new amazons of Nigeria. One can only hope and pray that something gives.
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
I pray o…I pray. So far all the authors I know are keeping quiet. O well…
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
I personally bought 3 of your books from Silverbird Abuja. So its annoying to hear that you haven’t gotten the money for your hard work. No time for long story sef, let me go to their contact page and twitter and do my bit.
Thanks o…Abuja says check is ready as of yesterday, Will pick up today. Still waiting on PH.
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
Ofili…. If only they knew that you are a different kind of writer, author! Every Nigerian needs a re-orientation and shouldn’t take shit!
…And you won’t regret it. Other opportunities will open….
Amen o…I just pray. At least people are paying.
You know what Okechukwu, when i learn about things like these that Silverbird of all organizations does to people like you i really have to shudder in disbelieve. Even Silverbird? Am out of words to say the least my brother. And come to think of it, a close pal of mine who resides in the U.S. but grew up and schooled here in Naija up to tertiary level came back to Naija recently to see how Silverbird could market his books. i bet u, if he were to find out about your ordeal with them he would do an about U-turn with immediate effect. It is very sad that Silverbird should start having such a reputation: Silent robbers you called them-not far from the truth man
The irony is that their problem is not complicated. It can be solved easily, but nobody wants to take responsibility or initiative. Its crazy I tell you.
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
I hope potential bookstore entrepreneurs are reading this and getting ideas ‘cos Silverbd can do this as a monopolist in the upscale lifestyle/bookstore chain. Any competitor which can make probity and accountability its niche is in business. Nothing wrong with the way Ofili is carrying on his fight but someone should fight them through the market. Kudos to TerraCulture. When una go morph into a bookstore chain?
Well said. It is not about the money all the time but the system. If you have a good system…people will go to you. They will even do that at a higher price.!
Okechukwu Ofili latest post is Draw Like A Six Year Old
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I love your guts, man. How would you sweat your a** out writing a book, then sweat same a** out begging 4 your money? Outright nonsense. Thank God they’ve paid and are still paying. And even if they won’t sell your books again, you’ll find better bookstores.
By the way, you struck out ‘Anger Management Coach’ or are my eyes kidding me?
Thanks Chukwuka. You hit the nail on the head, you struggle to write and then struggle to collect your own money. I tire. We’ll see what they do sha.
This is one of our major problems in Nigeria. I mean, I start down in front of the computer for about 30 minute puzzled, still trying to figure out what these organizations mean by “foreign authors”. They do not appreciate or encourage creativity locally yet they try to keep clean reputation with foreign authors
Well business is good only when both parties are happy.The answer is strong regulatory body that will call the shot! I mean “which kind thing be dis” The issue of 40 percent should be ruled out , payment should be upfront! Speak out , speak out pal
poor system of business management.
*retweeting, contacting*
we supply magazines to silverbird lagos and we also had a terrible experience. We kept chasing our money for about 4months. We visited them over 20 times to get paid for a particular issue of the mag. There is no proper payment structure,they need to look into that.
Thanks for speaking up o. I was beginning to think I was all alone.
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Well, I salute ur courage to speak up, don’t allow this to deter u frm doing hat u have been called to do. I think this piece will make SILVERBIRD and others to have a rethink and have a structure that will not discriminate but treat all equally before they start having more issues they can cope with.
Good that you speak out.
I was really disappointed reading this.
Its so sad that big organisations in Nigeria that ought to be the leaders in Values and integrity because in very shameful ways. Some of us Niaja business people tire me some times.
About if your books will never appear on their shelves again….thank God for online market, and the Amazons of this world. THey cant hold you back.
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Thanks for your story. I have just been to the Silverbird page where i asked them to pay our Nigerian authors. I understand your plight because i had a bad experience with screening my movie in Silverbird. Something is not right with their system and they seem averse to giving reports to people they do business with. I hope they will begin to mend their ways. I commend your courage for speaking out because evil thrives when good men keep quiet.
Good one on you Ofili for standing up and speaking out. Unfortunately for you, there are enough of us who have time to harass them with those tweets, retweets and emails.
Sorry you or anyone has to go through this sort of nonsense. Have you considered suing? Perhaps a legal action might make them think a bit twice about this sort of nonsense.
See? Your point about talking/writing when upset is right. I meant to say that it is unfortunate for Silverbird…. Of course, it is very fortunate for you. LOL
If good authors like you are passing through this mess, then make i go sleep NAA!!……i was just checking out sites on “how to be a good writer for dummies” when i came across your blog….lol. The annoying thing of all is that they only pay foriegn authors?….classical example of INFERIORITY COMPLEX!!.
come to think of it, its high time Nigerian Authors opened their own BOOKSTORE!! GBAM!!!…