Challenges and Opportunities of Eritrean Exiled Writers - ብድሆታትን ዕድላት ንኤርትራውያን ጸሓፍቲ ኣብ ስደት

University Library, St. Clare Room

Based on interviews of self-published Eritrean exiled writers combined with my previous experience of working in publishing industry in Eritrea, I argue that the new digital revolution and online media is creating a fertile ground for promotion, editing, and online media coverage that has been either monopolized by the government or established publishing industry. The substantial number of Eritrean immigrants—as majority are not yet absorbed in their host countries—also brings a big market potential. Although book buying culture and support to authors is comparably motivating among Eritreans, yet the lack of tradition of buying books online combined with absence of distribution mechanisms—as festivals are dwindling—also pose another challenge. I argue as the publishing industry at large is suffering from serious impediments, the only means of moving forwards is to join online publishing and monetize books online so that they can generate little money in return.