Updating an existing website and building one to replace it can be a daunting project for a neophyte like me. It is doubly nerve wracking if you have a short attention span like me. A friend of mine, Tokunbo, has been incredibly tolerant of my short order request to build KilimanjaroMedia sometime in March 2007. In the meantime, while we were doing long distance conferencing on how to go about building the site, I had purchased a couple of books (with software to match) on how to build a website. I was concerned that without money exchanging hands, I would have limitations as to how much I could ask my friend to do for me. Despite my inability to pay, my friend came up with a nice looking website in the first week of July.
As I write this, my first blog ever, I have recently dragged my younger daughter – who happens to know a little about coding html - to rebuild the site. What you have seen on the site so far is the result of sleepless weekend nights by my daughter and me. Of course, there were a few phone calls to my other daughter for emotional and professional support.
I teach school; so, four days a week, I have about ninety-eight starry-eyed college students demanding some attention from me. (I teach three courses this semester) Between preparing for classes, actually teaching the classes, grading papers, and putting together an up and coming website for new writers, my week is pretty much locked up. It is sleepless in Lathrop, my sleepy little bedroom community inside California’s Central Valley. Oh, by the way, when you read my next blog, I will be writing from another city. It is moving time, yet again. Traffic to the site is catching up. Some writers have sent in materials, which are being edited for publication. Sometime down the road, I hope we can have a really useful functioning website that serves as a resource for those who need an outlet for their writing. I want to make sure we are not duplicating the efforts of those college based literary journals. I am interested in popular literature in the “Onitsha market literature” tradition. You know, the little guy on the street trying to express some literary talent. Of course, I am also interested in writing coming out of the college environment. Having come out of that mold myself, I am aware of the tremendous potential of college based literary writing.
In addition, I would like to publish a literary journal twice a year, a journal mailed out to subscribers only. If I may add, this effort is designed to be continent wide. Perhaps I should add, global. If you are African, or you are interested in African writing, then KilimanjaroMedia is designed to be another outlet. Let’s use it as such. I am putting up a subscription page shortly, so look out for it if you are interested in getting a copy of our publication. Paid subscription is $15.00 per year. In case you haven’t noticed, I am also editing Dansiki Quarterly (see link) on our home page. I am collaborating with my friends Tokunbo Adeniji and Femi Sonuga to produce an exquisite lifestyle magazine for the African community abroad. Or well, for Africans, period. Go visit the site, see for yourself some refreshing perspective.
Sep 28, 2007 8:06 PM