How Flame And Song came to East Africa: Part Three

March 2015

My time in Cape Town is coming to an end. Mixed emotions. Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa drops by to check on me. We sit outside Colleen’s house. Under the tree with chimes. I have no idea that I will start a publishing house eventually but I tell Philippa that I am freaking out; I have learnt so much and I don’t know what to do with everything I have learnt. Nanti “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

In my notebook I write the wisdom she dispenses:

1. This is the season for you to do this.
2. Have three people that will keep you accountable.
3. Remember, you are planting trees not weeds.

These are words I hold onto as I leave Cape Town. They are the words I hold onto when in August 2015 I register Sooo Many Stories as a publishing house. These are the words I hold onto when I have to explain what we do and we get blank looks. Trees not weeds.

August, 2016

Modjaji Books announces the release of #FlameAndSong. I email both ladies and I say I want the book. Whatever it takes, I want the book. Andie Miller an editor Colleen made sure I met while in South Africa edited the book. Andie hosted me one afternoon and took all the questions I had about editing. This feels like destiny.

Colleen sends me a copy of the book in the weeks that follow. I am swamped when I get it and tell myself I would only read one chapter. For the next two days, I get into Philippa’s world and I cannot, for the life of me, get out of it. I love this book and I want everyone to read this book.

Colleen and Philippa go over and above to make sure Flame And Song comes to East Africa through this young publisher as smoothly as possible.

And now, here we are…

Flame and Song will be launched in Kampala on Tuesday 4th April. Please save the date. I really can’t wait to share this book with you all.

#FlameAndSong #MyFlameAndSong