Author Sets New African Publishing Record with 10 Books in 2023

Kenyan-born author Alexander Nderitu has set a new African publishing record by releasing 10 books in the year 2023 alone. This remarkable feat comes at a time when the African publishing industry is still in its early stages, contributing less than 3% to the global book production, according to a 2023 UNESCO report.

Nderitu, a prolific writer, poet, playwright, and critic, gained international acclaim in 2001 as Africa’s first digital novelist with the release of “When the Whirlwind Passes.” Fast forward to 2023, and he has once again made history with a diverse range of publications, including stage plays, poetry collections, and non-fiction works.

The titles released in 2023 by Mr. Nderitu include “Yuppies!,” “What’s Wrong With This Picture?,” “The Stacy Walker Interview,” “Hannah And The Angel: Volume 1 – Angels ‘R’ Us,” “King Bure Is Dead!,” “A Body Made For Sin,” “Where The Kremlin Live,” “Kenyan Theatre: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly,” “This Time With Feeling: Essays on Theatre,” and “Hannah And The Angel Vol.2: Comedy Roast.” These titles are available globally in both print and digital formats through online platforms such as Amazon and Nuria Bookstore.

What sets Nderitu’s accomplishment apart is that he authored all these books without any assistance from researchers, co-writers, or Artificial Intelligence writing software. His commitment to producing original and diverse content showcases his talent and dedication to literary excellence.

In addition to his prolific output, Nderitu’s contributions to African literature have been recognized with several awards and nominations. In 2023, he was shortlisted for the E. E. Sule/SEVHAGE Books Award for African Criticism and co-won the SEVHAGE-Agema Founders’ Prize for Criticism for his essay titled “The Cartography of Human Behaviour,” exploring the potential of vernacular theatre in East Africa.

Nderitu also contributed a short story titled “Her Name Will Be Peace” to the forthcoming 2023 Mukana Press Anthology titled “Our Sister Who Art in America.” His work has transcended borders, with some of his literature translated into Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Kiswahili, French, Swedish, Dholuo, Gikũyũ, and Czech.

Alexander Nderitu’s journey in literature has been marked by a series of achievements and milestones. Born on April 23, a date shared with William Shakespeare’s birthday and UNESCO’s ‘World Book and Copyright Day,’ Nderitu initially studied IT in college. He later delved into the literary world, becoming Africa’s first ‘digital novelist’ in 2001 with “When the Whirlwind Passes.”

His diverse portfolio includes novels, stage plays, poetry collections, and non-fiction works. Over the years, Nderitu has been recognized with awards such as the Share Africa Climate Fiction Award and the IHRAF Africa Playwriting Competition prize. In 2017, he was named one of Kenya’s ‘Top 40 Under 40 Men’ by Business Daily newspaper.

Nderitu’s impact extends beyond his written works. He has actively contributed to changing Kenya’s literary landscape through research documents and served as the Deputy Secretary-General of Kenya PEN, the local chapter of International PEN. He has given talks at universities, literary events, and writers’ groups, promoting reading and writing with the aid of technology in East Africa.

As Alexander Nderitu continues to make strides in the literary world, his dedication to pushing the boundaries of African literature and storytelling is evident. His latest achievement of publishing 10 books in 2023 serves as an inspiration for aspiring writers and a testament to the potential of African voices in the global literary arena.