The Conversation I Had With CHIOMA | 20% to @teamg-nigeria

Last weekend, a friend made me laugh maniacally when she said to me, “I love your stories but I don’t like the fact that when you put them out they get less reaction from people than they should.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her well meaning concern. There was something about the glow in her eyes and the energy with which she said those words. It was like she was ready to spank anyone who doesn’t read or comment on my stories. What Chioma did not know, however, was that yours truly doesn’t care about the reaction he gets on social media. Okay, truth be told, maybe I care a little; just like every other writer would love it when people read their stuff.

Looking at Chioma and how concerned she was that my stories get the engagement they deserve, I said, “I think my friends are not keen on leaving comments or liking posts. Trust me, when I run into friends, they talk to me about my writing and how I seldom post stories these days. If that’s not a good way to know that they’re following my stories I wonder what else is.”

“Well, maybe they’re following; maybe they are not. I’m a PR person and I think I know why you don’t get much reaction. You’re a very good writer and your…”

“Why do you think I don’t get much engagement?” I asked eagerly. Well, it wasn’t like I really cared.
“You should start reacting to contemporary stuff through your stories. For example, people are talking about rape and racism now but you’re busy telling us about one insecure and obscure beautiful lady called Mmasinachi.

“Insecure and obscure?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, that Mmasinachi story, through this platform (Steemit) got the attention of someone who now wants it as screenplay. In fact, he paid part of the contract money into my account a few days ago. Should I show you the alert?” I pulled out my phone from my pocket.

“I’m not interested in seeing any alert; I’m just interested in managing you. I’ll repackage you, garner a lot of followers on social media for you; that can translate into a lot of money. Once you get your novel published this year we…”

“Wait a minute,” I couldn’t help but look at this lanky girl that I’ve known for over five years. In my head I was thinking, ‘so all these talk is because this girl wants me to put her on payroll.’ Covid-19 has made people creatively crafty. Inukwanu m, manage, repackage…”

As if she hasn’t said enough, I heard her say, “Because you’re my friend, I won’t charge you professionally; for a start, you’ll have to pay me a small fee as an appreciation for what I’ll be doing for you.

I laughed and laughed until there was no more laughter in me. At this point, some people at Kilmanjaro eatery, where we were having this conversation started looking at me in a weird way. I had to stop laughing before someone stands up from his seat to come and slap me.

The conversation between me and this friend continued but I won’t want to bore you with the detail. However, I would earnestly want to know what you feel about letting this lanky girl manage my carrier as a writer. Of course, I know I need a literary agent but this girl, I think, is far from what I need right now. She doesn’t even read novels, never mind that she has a bunch of people following her on Instagram and other social media platforms.

What does a PR person even do?