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

[Vivek Narayanan]

Please note that this note below was written by Binyavanga Wainana and 
not myself!  Sorry for any initial confusion caused.
V.

Binyavanga Wainana wrote:
> 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
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