Crystal Butungi Rutangye
Day 1 came to a close too soon. Well, we did have one more session after Nathan’s, a roundtable discussion on marketing, publicity and events with two independent publishers and representatives of two exciting literary organisations. However, I’ll defer talking about that session until I finish some homework Henriette Paula Mugisa gave me last year. Instead, I’ll draw your attention to a Very Important Person.
I first met Goretti Kyomuhendo in 2011, when I was nominated by an independent publisher I did freelance editorial work for to attend a storytellers’ workshop conducted by the African Storytellers Trust, of which Goretti is the Director. Through AWT’s unique programmes, Goretti opened doors for me to advance in my career. I was the first delegate AWT nominated to attend an editorial internship in South Africa in 2013. I spent six weeks in Cape Town learning from the phenomenal Colleen Higgs at Modjaji Books, alongside my prodigal friend, Naeemah Masoet. From there, there was no turning back for me. I was set on pursuing my passion – books, and how to make them.
My involvement with AWT continued until I was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Publishing Studies at the University of Stirling which I completed in 2015. Ten years ago. There, during the spring, or was it summer break, I got to meet Goretti again, whose counsel helped me surge through the rest of the year in the UK. And that is how it is when you meet Goretti. You never stay the same. Her wisdom tap is always leaking, even in casual meet-ups. So imagine my joy when I found out she would be attending the IPF networking reception on this Thursday evening in London.
It was a hearty reception. My fellow IPF fellows and I were privileged to meet literary agents, book distributors, publishers, authors, IPF alumni, as well as representatives of reputable literary organisations. And I also got to meet Goretti again. I’m so glad her wisdom tap is still faulty, it cannot help letting out nuggets of sound counsel and insight. What a full-circle moment, meeting on British soil again after ten years. What an energiser for the rest of the programme.
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I delight in the power of the written word to share ideas, thoughts, stories, memories, and other aspects of humanity. With over 14 years' experience, my expertise includes editing fiction and non-fiction trade books, ghostwriting, book production management, and training new writers/editors. I lead a team of zealous book editors, graphics designers, and illustrators at Scribe House.
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