[Reader-list] How to write about Africa: short order cartoonist needed

[Vivek Narayanan]

On the first week of December, there will be a massive internet campaign 
to launch a series of How to Write about Africa Videos, similar to the 
Will.i.am Obama video on the internet. A lot of effort will be put into 
making the thing hit on youtube. The text will be read on screen by some 
African Hollywood celebrities. Several hundred thousand hits are 
expected. Maybe more. More details will be provided to those who express 
strong and coherent interest.

I am looking for a creative and edgy cartoon artist/graphic 
designer/graphic novelist/artist who can do several panels or visual 
concepts for me based on the idea behind How to Write about Africa 
(http://www.granta.com/Magazine/92/How-to-Write-About-Africa). I am 
looking for stuff to cover fifteen pages or more.

My idea would be somebody who can also lay out text, and design a 
beautiful short book, of no more than 30 pages. The book can have 
photos, cartoons, commentary, notes – am open to ideas. I am thinking 
about a book with beautiful thick paper; hardcover, something that is 
both a beautiful object and an interesting book.

I need to have the book print ready in three weeks. So am looking for 
somebody who has the time to begin straightaway.

My preference is for us to put the book together as a joint effort, and 
share the profits. I am happy to carry the print costs or share them. We 
can talk about pay and such. I am willing to be generous, and provide 
good incentives.

The book will be sold and marketed online on a website. We will launch 
on the 25th of November, and which will be promoted by the youtube video.

I would like the book to be as innovative and visual as possible in this 
short time. Funny is good. It does not have to conform to any easy 
conventions…

I basically want to have a book printed and ready by the 1st week of 
December. Yes, mad, but possible.

I am willing to pay a handsome fee for this work, and/or talk about a 
generous profit share. Also willing to share cover billing and website, 
blog and such links. I am willing to talk to any existing publishers who 
want to do this with me.

I am also interested in producing a French, German and Dutch version of 
this over the next year

I am looking for somebody who has their own strong ideas about how to 
pull off a graphic narrative that speaks to some of the issues in the 
essay without being “drowned” by the words in it. I prefer to have 
something that shows “the other side” of the usual Africa clichés.

I don’t mind working with the person online over the next ten days to 
finish this off. The idea is to keep it simple.

If you are interested, please send some brief sketches/ideas or a 
synopsis that we can work with.

Send all ideas to chiqyleo at yahoo.co.uk Make sure to say on the subject 
line: How To Write About Africa Submission.

Deadline. Friday October 24th…

Binyavanga Wainaina
Sterling Brown Professor
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachussetts