With over a decade of experience, Mr. Kayode Nurudeen Adeyemo, Managing Director and CEO of Everlike Publishers, takes us on a journey through Nigeria’s publishing sector. He reveals the challenges and realities of the industry, shares personal anecdotes, and discusses the evolution of Everlike Publishers. From combating piracy to embracing digital innovation, Adeyemo’s story is a compelling testament to resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity.Everlike Publishers, founded in 2007, has been significantly shaped by Mr. Kayode Adeyemo, a dynamic force in both the publishing industry and the field of education and creative writing.
As a seasoned educator and multi-genre writer, his contributions span prose fiction, poetry, plays, screenwriting, and cinematography. With over fifteen books of prose fiction, three collections of poems, and four plays to his name, his works have become integral to the Literature-in-English syllabus for the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (NECO JSSCE/BECE) at both state and national levels.
Mr. Adeyemo’s remarkable journey includes being the guest writer for the Association of Nigerian Authors’ April literary reading in 2018 at the University of Ibadan and serving as the first-ever secretary of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) for Oyo and Osun in 2020. His academic foundation from the University of Ado-Ekiti and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism has fortified his career in journalism and media studies, providing a solid base for his influential ventures in publishing.
His diverse expertise and innovative approach have not only enhanced the quality of Nigerian publishing but also driven significant advancements in educational content and creative expression. Through his leadership at Everlike Publishers, Mr. Adeyemo continues to redefine the publishing landscape, combining his literary talents and industry knowledge to address challenges and embrace opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving publishing sector.
Despite these accolades, Mr. Adeyemo’s entry into publishing was not a straightforward path. His foray into the industry was sparked by challenges with traditional publishing contracts and a desire for self-reliance. This determination led to the establishment of Everlike Publishers, a company now synonymous with quality educational materials.
In this exclusive interview with Printers Digest Magazine Editor, Juliet Nnajiofor-Uyi, Adeyemo shares insights into his journey, the challenges faced by new publishers, and his vision for the future of the publishing industry in Nigeria. His story is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Excerpts 1.Q: Could you share your experience in the publishing industry in your early days and compare it to what it is today?
A: My foray into publishing was accidental. I never thought of establishing a publishing firm when I was writing for publishers and collecting royalties. I started thinking along self-publishing when a particular publisher who published some of my books repeatedly failed to honour simple publishing contract. We all know that publishing contracts specify a time for royalty payment, often semi-annually or annually. In my case, it was annually.
After the book was published and it was time to pay royalty; I received prompt payment for the first two years, and after that, it was disappointment. The period for royalty payment was moved twice from one month to another. It came to a time when we needed to constantly remind the publisher of our royalties whenever the payment deadline was approaching. I discussed the issue of consistent delays with a printer-friend and he advised me to try publishing my books myself. I gave it a try and it worked and, today the rest is history.
Talking about my experience as a neophyte in publishing, it was a mixture of excitement and stark publishing ignorance. As a creative writer, I started with my own works, children’s fiction. There were many story books out there in the market space to my credit.
So, the first challenge was acceptance. It was a big challenge for us as a new and lesser-known publisher. The market was quite competitive that getting noticed was a big issue. But I was not new as an author. My name was relatively known, at least, compared with the name of the company. The reason for that could be traced to the fame and ‘commercial success’ some of my books had gained in the book market. The second challenge was understanding the production aspect of the business.
I mean, paper choice, pre-press (typesetting, cover design and interior layout), printing, binding, finishing operations, etc. These phases of publishing can be complex and overwhelming for newcomers. Some key players in the printing process were always ready to capitalize on your inexperience and inflate production costs for you. I saw this as a price to pay for knowledge acquisition.
The third challenge was developing sales channels and selling enough books for the required level of profit that could sustain the business. Today, with continued learning and building relationships with stakeholders in the industry, we have been able to navigate the teething problems successfully.
Q: What do you find most compelling about the publishing sector?
A: As an author, what I find most compelling in the publishing sector is the fact that it affords me the opportunity to continuously write and have a new book in the market. Each year I try as much as possible to write and get published at least one or two books of my own. I want to say that my direct involvement in publishing made this possible.
Another important reason why I have remained in the business is the positive feedback we are getting from the students, teachers, and parents who find our books very impactful and relevant to their needs. One of such positive feedbacks was that of a woman who called me on the phone and started praying for me. It got me emotional because prior to that incident I never thought or imagined that a person could be so touched by what she read to the extent of calling the author and started raining prayers on him.
Q: How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the print value chain industry?
A: Gaining industry knowledge, in terms of the latest trends and developments, is key for any publisher who wants to make meaningful progress in the book publishing business. The Nigerian Publishers Association provides opportunities for members to develop professionally.
As a member, I avail myself of all these opportunities by attending the association’s conferences and exhibitions. Through these avenues, I am able to connect with other professionals in the business and stay updated with new publishing technologies, platforms, and methodologies. Finding mentors who can provide guidance and support is also important for career development.
Q: What do you believe are the most pressing issues currently facing the publishing sector in Nigeria
A. The most pressing issues currently facing the publishing sector in Nigeria are the high cost of papers, high production costs occasioned by poor power supply, pricing, and piracy. Since Nigeria does not have a functional paper mill, publishers depend largely on imported papers. For instance, the Jebba paper mill, in Kwara, Iwopin paper mill in Ogun state, and the Oku Iboku paper mill in Akwa Ibom state are all moribund. The high prices of imported papers and other expenses for printing have forced many publishers out of business.
The remaining ones are struggling to survive under the harsh economic conditions. Setting and managing book prices is another issue. Nigerian publishers, as we all know, deal majorly in physical books, but there is no standard pricing model. Each publisher determines its own book price, putting into consideration various factors such as production costs, market demand, and competition.
It is a common practice for publishers to raise prices for popular books so as to increase profitability. But where I have a problem is when publishers, in an attempt to gain a competitive edge, sell books at very low prices. When you hear the prices at which some books are sold or bought, you would wonder how the publishers of those books are doing it considering the book trade realities.
Although, this practice is common among smaller publishers and self-published authors whose focus is on market share rather than profitability. For the issue of piracy, I think the Nigeria Copyright Commission in collaboration with the Nigerian Publishers Association are doing well in fighting the menace. Successful raids have been launched on the criminals’ hideouts and pirated books found in their possessions confiscated.
Q: How do you approach marketing the publications to ensure it reaches the right audience ?
A: We have distribution networks that cover primary and secondary schools of both private and government schools. Our sales representatives and agents are responsible for the distribution of our books to schools and physical bookstores. We also make use of social media and online platforms to engage with our target audience and promote our books.
As a publisher, we understand that staying relevant in the rapidly evolving educational publishing industry requires embracing innovative strategies that leverage technology, enhance user engagement, and meet the changing needs of the market. For us, building an online community where educators, parents, and school owners can share experiences, resources, and support each other is very important. Through our online forum, educational contributions from members help to foster a collaborative and supportive educational system.
Q: What trends do you foresee in the future of publishing?
A: In near future, I see more and more publishers moving away from the traditional means of publishing and embracing digital formats such as e-books and audiobooks. I also see an extension of the literary space being dominated by AI-generated books and interactive storytelling apps. Books edited, illustrated, and standardized by AI tools. Generally, I see publishers expending less money on pre-press operations.
