The Creative Director of Purplebloom Publishers, Ibadan, Mrs. Adejoke Adepoju Oyekan, has advised aspiring writers not to wait for perfection before putting their ideas into writing, saying authorship begins with the courage to document one’s thoughts and experiences.
Oyekan stated this on Monday while speaking on the forthcoming second edition of its Authors’ Conference scheduled to hold on August 27, 2026, at the IACD Library/American Corner, Leventis Building, Magazine Road, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The publisher, who spoke on writing, publishing and literary development, said aspiring authors should cultivate the habit of reading, writing and communicating their ideas effectively rather than being discouraged by the fear of imperfection.
According to her, writing provides an avenue for people to document their thoughts, experiences and perspectives while leaving a legacy for future generations.
“You don’t have to be perfect to become an author or write a book,” she said, urging aspiring writers to develop confidence in their abilities and continuously improve their craft.
Oyekan said writers could explore different forms, including fiction and personal essays, stressing that authorship is not limited to autobiography.
“Before writing, they should look forward to putting down a legacy. It doesn’t have to be an autobiography. You can write fiction or personal essays,” she said.
She emphasised the importance of reading to effective writing, saying anyone aspiring to become an author must be prepared to read widely.
“You have to start reading. Read, read, read. Then start writing,” she said.
Oyekan also urged young writers to learn how to communicate their thoughts clearly through writing, noting that good writing goes beyond merely putting words on paper.
She said one of the motivations behind the establishment of the Authors’ Conference was to create a platform where writers could discuss their works, learn from one another and explore issues surrounding writing, publishing, branding and the media.
According to her, the conference was also designed to draw attention to social problems and demonstrate how literature could give visibility to issues that might otherwise remain in the background.
“We wanted to highlight the moral lessons contained in written works and also give visibility to social problems,” she said.
Oyekan recalled that the first edition of the Authors’ Conference attracted almost 80 participants and featured two panel sessions, while students from different schools also participated in the broader literary activities organised around the programme.
She said the initiative was initially conceived as an annual event but had to be adjusted because of the demands of other professional projects.
She said the visibility generated by the programme also opened doors to other projects and opportunities, making it difficult to sustain the conference annually.
She, however, expressed optimism about reviving the initiative, noting that people who had participated in previous editions had encouraged her not to abandon it.
“There are several literary programmes where people come together to discuss books. We have writers’ workshops, book readings and book launches. But there is something unique about the Authors’ Conference because it brings authors together, allows writers to talk about their work and gives others the opportunity to learn from them,” she said.
Oyekan also disagreed with the widespread claim that young people no longer read.
She acknowledged that reading habits had changed, particularly among younger generations, but said this should not be interpreted to mean that young people had completely abandoned reading.
“We should encourage them to read and write. If you want to become a writer, you must start reading. Read widely, think deeply and put your thoughts down,” she said.
She maintained that writing remained an important tool for preserving ideas, experiences and perspectives, urging young Nigerians who aspire to become authors to begin the journey rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
