Taming the Jackals

“Any book is dead until read, when it becomes alive. Usually it is only read, when bought, it is only bought when if distributed from author through publisher to reader” -Roger Kirkpatrick

The above quotation lays great premium on the irrefutable role book distribution plays in fulfilling the aspirations and dreams of the writer, being the originator of the ideas embedded in the book. One of the weaknesses of the quotation however is that emphasis is placed on moving the book “from author through publishers to reader” without putting into consideration the wild activities of some intermediaries like the pirates. The pirates are the jackals of the book industry and have become terrorists in the industry.



Piracy in Nigeria just like in any place today is a big business. A writer described the business in Nepal as the only industry which “seems to be booming amidst the economic slump.” While many people consider piracy as a theft of intellectual property, the approach of others is unbelievably ridiculous. In some developed countries, pirates pride themselves in the regalia of honor, saying that they do people a great favor by making books more accessible to them at cheaper rates. “We’re letting anyone share whatever they want with whoever they want….Blaming us for what people do is like blaming the people who build roads for helping people to rub banks, for God’s sake.” Pirates have unarguably become part of the book chain. What are the other available distribution channels? How can the illegal structures on the distribution tracks be demolished?

In her paper entitled Effective Book Distribution and National Development presented at the 2009 NIBF, Mrs. Oluronke Olubanbo Orimalade being one of the magnates in the book and publishing industry is Nigeria reaffirm the relevance of distribution channels but lament over the insignificant attention given to it in the past by government and other stakeholders in the book sector, “Otherwise book distribution ought not to be described as “the weakest link” or “the neglected link in the publishing link” Orimalade went further to identify the various distribution channels available to a publisher “An appointed distributor or wholesaler takes stock from a publisher into his warehouse for agency discounts. He then supplies to the retail outlets. He is responsible for promoting and marketing the books.”

“Local distributors”, Orimalade says, “can be appointed for overseas published books. This channel provides small bookshops and libraries with stock of overseas published books, thus saving them the headache of having to maintain accounts with many publishers” Other channels identified are bookshops and other retail outlets like “book clubs, market stalls, street bookshops, book hawkers, bend down bookshops, mobile book racks and itinerary book merchants.” There is also distribution by direct sales to consumers which “prohibit accessibility to all markets, it doesn’t give consumers variety since the publisher can only sell his own products.”

What are the effects of a dysfunctional book distribution channels? It has “driven nearby bookshops into extinction while the booksellers who operate them have been driven to into penury. Many bookshops have been killed. Those that are struggling to be alive are kept under all kinds of life saving gadgets in the name of diversification. It is therefore not surprise to see some bookshops now stocking clothes, shoes and other distributive items (which are not books) in an effort to remain in business. Some have converted part of their bookshop into eateries while some offer training lessons to students preparing for Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, and other overseas examinations. Other booksellers have diversified into property development, and hair saloon. Those who are not so enterprising have left bookselling business entirely”

But what is the way out of this awful scenario? Orimalade suggested that “The Nigerian Booksellers Association needs rebranding” by redefining its roles and obligations. “Booksellers must organize themselves and reposition the association for effective delivery of products and services that will benefit its members.” Also, “Publishers and booksellers should immediately dialogue and discuss all contextual factors that will enable them to work together effectively in order for people to have access to books.”

Orimalade concludes: “it should be borne in mind that for any book distribution system to be effective, it must be predictable, reliable and responsive. Information should be made available so that all that parties involved that is, government, the book trade, schools, parents, pupils and students must know in good time what they are expected to do. People should be familiar with the operation. If there are going to be changes, these must be widely publicize.

Effective book distribution must be seen to be reliable in the sense that it must have adequate financial backing and resources to carry out the operation on a yearly basis”