The Magic of Ouida
Written by Treasure Okure
Ruqayyah and I have been friends for two years. Our friendship is extraordinary in the sense that it was born online and nurtured by a shared interest in literature, romance, and the seemingly ordinary beauty of life. It was therefore only natural that the first time we met in person, we’d visit a bookstore together.
I took her to Ouida Lagos, a stunning bookstore on Isaac John Street, Ikeja on Thursday, the 17th of February 2021. I had heard so many exciting stories about the place, but I never had the opportunity to visit it, until that day. As fate would have it, Ouida was hosting an Open Mic night that evening, a gathering that happens only once a month, so we decided to stay. After a thrilling day of browsing books for hours and sharing our opinions with everyone that came into the room, we sat down in a circle, as poets, singers, creatives, all took turns to share their talent. It was… magical. The room seemed to breathe with an energy of its own. At that moment, I felt so thankful to be alive and happy to have shared such an incredible experience with my friend.
Upon returning home, I couldn’t erase how beautiful that night had been. Ouida felt like a discovery, and places like that, places that breed magic, and encourage talent are so special. I went online to do my research and learned that the place was founded by Lola Shoneyin, one of Nigeria’s finest talents, author of “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” and a woman. I contacted Elohor Egbordi, their International Rights Editor, to find out more about Ouida, so that I could share it with you (yes, you).
This was how the conversation went:
The name Ouida is a very interesting one, where does it come from?
The name Ouida is inspired by the pin-tailed whydah, the bird known for its elegance. There is also an old slave port in Benin. The idea was to reclaim the name and change its meaning so that it signifies freedom instead. That is what literature gives us — the freedom to express ourselves creatively and share our stories and ideas.
Could you please tell us about the background and history of Ouida?
Ouida books was founded six years ago to cater to a wide array of readers and writers. So far, we’ve published about twenty-four books. Like everyone else in the business, we took a hit during the COVID years so we are only just getting back on our feet. We have a great selection of books lined up for this year. So, we started with Ouida Books (a publishing house) but we’ve extended that name to accommodate our other interests. Ouida is not just a bookstore or a publishing house; it’s also a creative space and a cultural asset. We have a fully equipped recording studio for audiobooks. The space in itself is a walk-through art gallery and hosts regular creative events.
What do you find the most interesting thing about masterminding something as huge and meaningful as Ouida?
Ouida is masterminded by Lola Shoneyin, my boss. I have been here for half the time it’s been in existence, a little over two years now. It’s wonderful to work with her. I’ve known and loved her for a long time, even before working here, so it’s still a dream come true. It has been a great experience getting to know her, meeting my writing idols, and learning how the publishing industry works. It has also been a learning curve for me and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Masterminding the work, we do is a big responsibility, and she shoulders it well. She is always bubbling with ideas. She works very hard and she genuinely desires that everyone she comes in contact with grows as well.
How do you feel being a woman has influenced your organisational culture?
We mostly have female employees, and I think for me, it means that Ouida is not just where I work, but a safe space. Recently, one male employee joined us, but it’s still a female-dominated organisation. It’s like a sisterhood here. I work with the most intelligent, the most resourceful women ever and I have no regrets. We bond, we connect at the office and even outside the office. We have fun. We dance, we sing. We look out for one another and support each other. That is the ethos of this workplace.
What’s the most challenging thing about running Ouida Books?
I am the international rights editor, so I can only speak from the perspective of someone who acquires rights from books that have been published internationally. One of the greatest challenges we face here is the “Nigerian” factor. Sometimes it is hard to acquire rights because of our currency. Everything is more expensive than it used to be. Locally, the Nigerian factor also plays a very huge role. For instance, if you’re trying to ship books, the postal service is unreliable, so we have had to introduce different means of scaling the hurdles. Although we haven’t been victims of this, piracy is another huge issue. Writers are not rewarded the way that they should be, which is discouraging. The implications of piracy are huge. Publishers should be celebrated because the terrain is complex.
What advice do you have for young female visionaries like yourself, looking to create something for themselves?
It’s very simple really, do the work. Just do the work. Network, try to put yourself in spaces where your work will get the right kind of attention. Focus on your craft. It might take a while, but the time will come when you will be noticed. Also, read widely. The most important thing is to do the work.
Where do you see Ouida in ten years?
In ten years, I want Ouida Books to be a pioneer of African publishing. It’s already a well-known publishing house in Nigeria and beyond, but I want it to grow in leaps and bounds. Ouida has a bookstore, a café, an art space, a coworking space, and a studio. I want to see all these different parts of Ouida develop. I want us to be pleasantly surprised. I would like to see a more favourable business climate so that the literary landscape benefits as a whole. And, of course, that little boy or girl who hopes someday to be a writer, or wants to work in publishing, I want them to see what we achieved and be inspired.
Thank you, Elohor.
That’s all for this interview. You can learn more about Ouida on its Website (https://ouidabooks.com/) or visit their location (I heard their next Open Mic event will be held on the 17th of March). It was very enlightening speaking to Elohor about Ouida Books. Women at the helm of organizational affairs is a reality that is finally here to stay, and the difference this brings to the socioeconomic climate cannot be overstated and should always be spoken about boldly and proudly, to set a precedent for future organizations to follow.
Elohor is a bibliophile whose passion for literature and reading has morphed into a career away from her core science background. A writer, blogger and editor, she is a lover of all art forms and when her head is not buried in books, she enjoys stage plays, salsa dancing, karaoke and feminist discourse.
Treasure Okure is a writer, model and creative based in Lagos, Nigeria. She loves art, life, learning and self-development. In her free time, she likes to read books, hangout with her friends and listen to music. She is very passionate about Amala. Connect with Treasure on Instagram.
Edited by Blessing Temitope Oguntuase
Blessing Temitope Oguntuase is a law graduate who obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws in International Air, Space, and Telecommunications Law from the University of Pretoria. Temitope enjoys writing and engaging in research. She is passionate about exploring the intersection between disruptive technologies and the Law. Connect with Temitope on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Published by Peace Solomon
Peace is a fourth year Law student of the University of Lagos. She’s the Operations Lead at Sisterly HQ. She loves creating beautiful experiences for people and making an impact.