YaHaYa BaRuWa has knocked on 10,000 doors in Scarborough, to sell his first book

The Unusual Way One Man is Getting His Story Out - First Novel Sells Very Well (the hard way)

Yahaya Baruwa talks about his book on William Doyle Marshall's CHRY show My Data Bag. Linda at the second mike.

 

By Stephen Weir

Posted: 09/20/2012 5:37 pm Huffington Post Canada

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/../../stephen-weir/struggles-of-a-dreamer_b_1897972.html 

Meet Yahaya Baruwa (pronounced: YaHaYa BaRuWa). He is a recent York University Graduate. On Tuesday he and I shared a microphone at CHRY-fm. It was the My Data Bag show with William Doyle Marshall. I was talking about art, films and books in a big picture fashion, Yahaya was much more practical -- very down to earth.
He was there to talk about the difficult journey he took to get his new novel Struggles of a Dreamer published. Just like the title, it was a struggle for the Nigerian Canadian to just get the book printed. When he couldn't find a traditional publisher, he decided to form a publishing company on his own and print his own book.
He told the radio listening audience that he has set a goal of getting a million people to read his book. He reckons he has sold at least 5,000 copies -- which makes it a Canadian best seller. "I am not giving up. I still believe I can do it! I can reach a million people!"
With just one book in his stable, Baruwa needs to make sales fast to pay the mounting printer's bill. He listed the book on Amazon, Indigo and the like and did manage to get it into most of Toronto's bookstores -- one shop at a time.
He has emailed the world, but, it isn't the new social media tools that is driving sales of this book -- it is the old fashioned, Encyclopaedia Britannica sales method that is moving copies. You take the book to the public and hope you get your foot out before the front door is slammed shut.
"I knock on doors and tell people to buy my book. I have a friend who helps me too, but, it is hard, slow work. We have had a few doors slammed."
How many books do you think he has sold door-to-door? The number is 3,000 and counting. At $20 a copy, he has found that the personal approach works.
"I have been working Scarborough (suburb of Toronto, Canada). I estimate that I have visited over 10,000 homes and it takes a few minutes each time to make the sale!"
"Struggles of a Dreamer, is a novel that can be enjoyed by the young and the old readers alike; most especially those in search of inspiration to pursue their personal ambitions," said Yahaya Baruwa. "You will encounter the struggles of a dreamer (Toku'te, the son of a farmer) as he faces the challenges of the limiting boundaries of his tradition. You will laugh, cry, experience romance, be frightened, held in suspense, and become inspired as you find out how Toku'te manages to remain afloat in a world that requires everyone to fit the same mold."
Visit the book's website to learn more.

Word on the Internet about Word on the Street

Media Advisory: The Word On The Street 

This Sunday on Queen's Park Circle

This Sunday – September 23rd                                     

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Expanded Location: Queen’s Park Circle – Free Community Event

www.thewordonthestreet.ca

 

Media Contact: June Dickenson

junedickenson@cogeco.ca – Phone:647.477.6000

MEDIA ADVISORY:

·         WHO: Over 200 Canadian authors and presenters, 278 exhibitors, 200,000+ visitors  

·         WHAT: The 23rd annual The Word On The Street, Toronto’s book and magazine festival  

·         WHEN - NEW DATE: This Sunday, September 23rd from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  

·         WHERE - EXPANDED LOCATION: Queen’s Park Circle from Bloor Street to College Street  

·         WHY: The Word On The Street is Canada’s largest, literary festival! This popular, free community event features top Canadian authors reading and   signing their latest releases plus a huge Exhibitor Marketplace hosting everything from large publishing houses to small niche magazines and everything in between.

The Word On The Street Toronto is the official kick-off to the fall literary season, presenting over 200 acclaimed Canadian authors and presenters. For more information:

 

• Find AUTHOR APPEARANCES here: http://bit.ly/cVi6gy
• Find PROGRAMMING VENUES here: http://bit.ly/4jiIMc
• Review past press releases here: http://bit.ly/UlmWHg
• View the full, digital Official Festival Program here: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/300530e6#/300530e6/1
• View the full KidStreet Festival Guide (which details all children’s programming) here: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/4aafa86c#/4aafa86c/1 

 

For more information or to book an interview with Festival Director Nicola Dufficy, contact June Dickenson at junedickenson@cogeco.ca or call 647.477.6000

Media and Cameras Welcome! Where possible, please submit media accreditation forms in advance. For Media Accreditation forms, click here. For Interview Request forms, click here. For the 2012 Media Welcome Letter and to find out the answers to some FAQ, click here. For on-site assistance visit the Media Tent on Wellesley Street between 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors – We appreciate your support!

Media sponsors of this year’s The Word On The Street Toronto include: The Toronto Star, TVOKids, NOW Magazine, CIUT 89.5 FM, The Epoch Times, Open Book Toronto, Skywords Media, and 49^th Shelf.

National Sponsors of this year’s The Word On The Street Toronto include: Department of Canadian Heritage, Gildan Green Initiatives Partners of this year’s The Word On The Street Toronto include: Webcom, Spicers, Cascades Fine Papers Group, Cascades Recovery, Bullfrog Power, and Cycle Toronto.

Regional sponsors of this year’s The Word On The Street Toronto include: Scotiabank Giller Prize, Sony, Random House of Canada, Penguin Canada, Scribendi.com, City of Toronto, Owlkids, Courtyard by Marriott, Ontario Media Development Corporation, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

 

About The Word On The Street Across Canada:

Every year on the last Sunday in September, in the cities of Vancouver, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Kitchener, Toronto, and Halifax, The Word On The Street festivals unite the country in a national celebration of literacy and the written word. 

 

About The Word On The Street Toronto:

Annually attracting over 200,000 visitors to its Queen’s Park Circle location, The Word On The Street Toronto is the largest book and magazine festival in Canada. For more information please contact Nicola Dufficy, festival director, at (416) 504-7241.

 

 

Media Contact:                                         Festival Director:                                        

June Dickenson                                         Nicola Dufficy                  

647.477.6000                                            416.504.7241

junedickenson@cogeco.ca                         nicola@thewordonthestreet.ca

 

For more information, visit the festival’s official website at www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/Toronto. There you can view the official event program and KidStreet festival guide online. Read our blog, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

New Young Author Gets His Foot In 10,000 Doors. Hey It Is A (Good) Living

Yahaya Baruwa talks about his plan to find a million readers - one door knock at a time!

There are 1,000 ways to sell your book - taking a page from the past Yahaya invents the 1001st!

Meet Yahaya Baruwa (pronounced: YaHaYa BaRuWa). He is a recent York University Graduate. Today he and I shared a microphone at CHRY-fm, the My Data Bag show with William Doyle Marshall. I am not sure why we were on air but Yahaya certainly did.
He was there to talk about the difficult journey he took to get his new novel "Struggles of a Dreamer" published. Just like the title, it was a struggle for the Nigerian Canadian to just get the book printed. When he couldn't find a traditional publisher, he decided to form a publishing company on his own and print his own book.
He told the radio listening audience that he has set a goal of getting a million people to read his book. He reckons he has sold at least 5,000 copies. "I am not giving up. I still believe I can do it!"

With just one book in his stable, Baruwa needs to make sales fast to pay the bills. He listed the book on Amazon, Indigo and the like and did manage to get it into most of Toronto's bookstores - one store at a time.
He has emailed the world, but, it isn't the new social media tools that is driving sales of this book - it is the old fashion, Encyclopaedia Britannica sales method that is moving copies.
" I knock on doors and tell people to buy my book. I have a friend who helps me too, but, it is hard slow work. We have had a few doors slammed."
How many books do you think he has sold door-to-door? 3,000 and counting. At $20 a copy, he has found that the personal approach works.
" I have been working Scarborough. I estimate that I have visited over 10,000 homes and it takes a few minutes each time to make the sale!"
"Struggles of a Dreamer, is a novel that can be enjoyed by the young and the old readers alike; most especially those in search of inspiration to pursue their personal ambitions," said Yahaya Baruwa. "You will encounter the struggles of a dreamer (Toku'te, the son of a farmer) as he faces the challenges of the limiting boundaries of his tradition. You will laugh, cry, experience romance, be frightened, held in suspense, and become inspired as you find out how Toku'te manages to remain afloat in a world that requires everyone to fit the same mold."

http://www.strugglesofadreamer.com/ 

23rd Year For Free Book Festival in Downtown Toronto

street magic at 2010 Word on the Street book Festival

 ALREADY BOOKED IT: TORONTO'S WORD ON THE STREET THIS SUNDAY

The Word On The Street Festival is taking place from Bloor to College and around Queen’s Park Circle East and West this Sunday, September 23^rd, from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. There are 15 event tents with fun for all ages, including KidStreet with children’s reading and children’s activity areas. All authors are Canadian and the festival and the festival events are all free. Our festival headliners this year are David Suzuki and Jeff Rubin, who will be kicking off their six-city cross Canada Eco tour at this Sunday’s The Word On The Street Toronto and making their presentation from the Scotiabank Giller Prize Bestsellers Stage at 3:00 p.m. Anticipated attendance: 215,000, 245 Canadian authors, fully free festival, and the kick-off to the fall literary season. This is the 23^rd festival to be presented in the last 22 years.

 

About The Word On The Street:

Each year in September, in the cities of Vancouver, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Kitchener, Toronto, and Halifax, The Word On The Street unites the country in a national celebration of literacy and the written word.  Annually attracting more than 200,000 visitors to its Queen’s Park Circle location, The Word On The Street Toronto is the largest book and magazine festival in Canada.  This year’s event takes place on Sunday, September 23^rd.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival radio sponsorship news

Recent Facebook Posting about radio sponsorship news in Toronto attracting interest 
(and so I have posted on my blog about all things PR)

.

Pictured is former Flow announcer and now G98.7 Sunday soca host Dr J (left) and comedian Jean Paul (right

G isn't moving its spot on the FM dial anytime soon. Yesterday the Federal Canadian Radio & Television Commission (CRTC) awarded the much sought-after 88.1 fm frequency to Rock 95 Barrie. They are committed to bringing a new indie music station with a "high level of emerging artists" to the Toronto airwave over the next year.
“G 98.7: The Way We Groove,” was one of 22 companies trying to gain ownership of the 88.1 fm spot on the broadcast dial. G 98.7, Toronto's newest urban station (who is the media partner of the Toronto Mas Band Association), had hoped to move its signal down the dial, to hopefully greatly improve reception in the GTA.

88.1 was formally the frequency used by CKLN-fm. That station, owned and operated by the Ryerson University Student Union, lost its licence for many many CRTC infractions over the years. CKLN broadcast at 88.1 from 1983 to 2011. (I actually assisted now and then at CKLN back in 1973 when it was a closed circuit radio station.)
In other radio news, CTV, the radio and television broadcast media partner for Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto, announced that if it is successful in purchasing Astral Media (owners of CFRB, Virgin Radio, Easy Rock etc) it will sell Toronto's only other urban station, FLOW-fm. For the past two years FLOW has been the Festival's radio sponsor. The CRTC will be deciding on that purchase agreement in the very near future.

Photograph by Stephen Weir at CHIN '11 Bikini Festival

THE FINAL FINAL RESULTS FROM SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL TORONTO 2012

.
REVISED AND UPDATED RESULTS FROM THE 2012 SCOTIABANK FESTIVAL

The Honourable Joe Oliver official starts the Caribbean Carnival Parade

PARADE OF BANDS - Category A

1.  Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), Band Theme: Empires

2.  Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

3.  Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood 

4.  Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), Band Theme: Candy Land

5.  Fantazia International (Will and Annalisa Morton), Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

6.  Connections (Mervyn Skeete), Band Theme: Under the Sun (Fantasy Island)

7.  Callaloo (Marlin Singh), Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

8.  Mas Toronto (Mark Deleon), Band Theme: All Things Beautiful

PARADE OF BANDS - Category B and C Bands

1. Narissaali's Blues Carnival Fusion, Band Theme: Apocalypse

2. Renaissance Mas Productions (Kathleen Noel and Nataki Christmas), Band Theme: Myths of Ancient Worlds

3. Tru Dynasty (Thea Jackson), Theme: The Best of Both Worlds

4. Concept Costumes Creator (Whitfield Belasco) Band Theme: Hope For Tomorrow

N/A Black Sage Carnival

N/A Carnival Revolution, Band Theme, Warriors Come Out and Play

N/A D'Regulars

KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION - Queen

1. Joella Crichton as the Divine Empress, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), Band Theme: Empires

2. Simone Alie as the Eye Candy, the Sovereign, Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), Band Theme: Candy Land

3. Michelle Reyes as the Garden of Eden, Tru Dynasty (Thea Jackson), Theme: The Best of Both Worlds

4. Cristel Cuffy-Moulton as Jaa'lal The Apocalyptic Emissary of the Artic, Narissaali's Blues Carnival Fusion, and Band Theme: Apocalypse

5. Karen Seeberan as the Lotus Temple, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), and Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood 

6. Annette Caroline Gabriel as Lady Blue Mist, Callaloo (Marlin Singh), and Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

7. Patricia Horsham as Precious Jewels, Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

8. Penny Sutherland as the Enchanted Jewel of the Rainforest, Fantazia International (Will and Annalisa Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

9. Alicia Anderson as Freedom's Fabled Jeweled Dancer, Mas Toronto (Mark Deleon), and Band Theme: All Things Beautiful

10. Tashia Antoine as Hera the Epyrean: Mother Goddess and Queen of the Gods, Renaissance Mas Productions (Kathleen Noel and Nataki Christmas), Band Theme: Myths of Ancient Worlds

11 Avril Smith as Dawn of a New Day, Concept Costumes Creator (Whitfield Belasco) Band Theme: Warriors Come Out To Play, 

12 Stacy Brumble as Xenna, Warrior Princess, Carnival Revolution (Osie Brand), and Band Theme: Warriors Come Out and Play

13. Michelle Kelly as Lady Godiva - Hard Knocks - episode 23, Connections (Mervyn Skeete), Band Theme: Under the Sun (Fantasy Island)

N/A Black Sage, Band Theme: D'Amazon, Welcome to Our Jungle

N/A D'Regulars

KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION - King

1. Shane Reid Mungal as Maxius - Protector of Rome, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), and Band Theme: Empires

2. Ronny Des Vignes as Passage Through Purgatory, Fantazia International (Will and Annalisa Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

3. Micah Anal as Carnival in Full Flight, Mas Toronto (Mark Deleon), and Band Theme: All Things Beautiful

4. Sean Ribeiro as Diamonds in the Rough, Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

5. Dexter Seusahai as Cannibal of Candy land, Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), Band Theme: Candy Land

6. Darian Joseph as Hades: Greek God of the Underworld, Renaissance Mas Productions (Kathleen Noel and Nataki Christmas), Band Theme: Myths of Ancient Worlds

7. Keith Pascall as Lights, Camera, Action, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), and Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

8. Anthony Harry as Sinbad's Deadly Voyage, Callaloo (Marlin Singh), and Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

9 Rah Ramkahlawan as Devastation - the End of Mankind, Narissaali’s Blues Carnival Fusion, and Band Theme: Apocalypse

10. Sherwin Modeste as the Demented Being, Concept Costumes Creator (Whitfield Belasco) Band Theme: Hope For Tomorrow

11 Russell Jerome as the Best of Both Worlds, Tru Dynasty (Thea Jackson), Theme: The Best of Both Worlds

12. Anthony Phillips as Amentuyk - the Bushman, Black Sage. Band Theme: D'Amazon, Welcome to our Jungle

13. Courtney Reid as the Quiz Master - Episode 3, Connections (Mervyn Skeete), and Band Theme: Under the Sun (Fantasy Island)

 14. Osei Brand as Conan the Barbarian, Carnival Revolution (Osei Brand), Band Theme, Warriors Come Out and Play

KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION - Male Individual

1. Will Morton as Behemoth, Fantazia International (Will and Annalisa Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

2.  Mr. Maggy (Andy Charles) as The Wrath of Genghis Khan, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), and Band Theme: Empires

3. Curtis Dempster as D'Real Jack of Diamonds, Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

4. Roger Taylor Montano as An Elegant Wedding Feast, Concept Costumes Creator (Whitfield Belasco) Band Theme: Hope For Tomorrow

Dwayne Greaves (5), Erroll Dass (6), Justin Baird (7), Sean Williams (8) and Gerald Pierre (9). 

KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION - Female Individual

 1. Sharon Jackson as Madame Butterfly, Fantazia International (Will and Annalisa Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

2. Mischka Crichton as The Jewels of the Nile, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), Band Theme: Empires

3. Carol Tanis as Diamonds are Forever, Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

4. Chenique Thomas, as the Flaming Ruby,  Callaloo (Marlin Singh), Band Theme: The Adventures of SinbadCallaloo (Marlin Singh), Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

5. Janay Simpson as Rhodes: Sea Nymph Goddess, Renaissance Mas Productions (Kathleen Noel and Nataki Christmas), Band Theme: Myths of Ancient Worlds

6. Nicole Brand as And Into His Arms I Run, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

7. Shana Porter as Deity of the Jungle, Black Sage, Band Theme: D'Amazon, Welcome to Our Jungle

8. Joy Trottman as The Seven Seas, Callaloo (Marlin Singh), Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

9. Leigh Crichlow as Monarch Butterfly in All Her Splendor, Mas Toronto (Mark Deleon), Band Theme: All Things Beautiful

10 Aisha Grant as Char the Surrogate Mother, Connections (Mervyn Skeete), Band Theme: Under the Sun (Fantasy Island)

11 Wendy Edwards as Hot Lipz the Courtesan, Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), Band Theme: Candy Land

Junior Carnival  - Parade of Bands (Band of the Year)

1. Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

2. Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), Band Theme: Empires

3. Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), Band Theme: Candy Land

4. Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

5. Callaloo (Marlin Singh), Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

6. Connections (Mervyn Skeete), Band Theme: Under the Sun (Fantasy Island)

7. Renaissance Mas Productions (Kathleen Noel and Nataki Christmas), Band Theme: Myths of Ancient Worlds

8. Fantazia International (Will and Annalisa Morton), Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

9. Whitfield Belasco Pleasure Players, Band Theme: Hope for D'Future

10 Carnival Revolution (Osie Brand), Band Theme: Warriors Come Out and Play

11 Narissaali's Blues Carnival Fusion, Band Theme: Apocalypse

12. Mas Toronto (Mark Deleon), Band Theme: All Things Beautiful

13. Black Sage Carnival (Corey Howard), Band Theme: D'Amazon, Welcome To Our Jungle 

Junior Carnival  - King

1. Malik Adams as Willie Wonka, Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), and Band Theme: Candy Land

2. Keishaun Ewing as Predator, Fantazia International (Will Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

3. Demeko Minott as Tonatiuh, Aztec Warrior Sun God, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), and Band Theme: Empires

4. Ty Williamson as Mowgli's Elephant Ride, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), and Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

Fabian Lee (5), Leshaun Bernett (6), Jonathan Eustace (7), Trevonte Dorsett (8), Anthony Barran (9), Kane Grant (10) and Jordan Bachan (11) 

Junior Carnival - Queen

1. Celena Seusahai as Skittles, Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), and Band Theme: Candy Land

2. Kai Lewis as Queen Elizabeth 1, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), and Band Theme: Empires

3. Chania Cunningham as at the Temple of Shiva, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), and Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

4.  Faith Mermelijn as the Crystal Broach, Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, and Band Theme: Fantasy in Jewels

Dhana Gardener (5), Toshadaben Jamin (6), Shanisse Kaela Jackson (7), Avery Adore (8), Kai Walker (9), Destynee Charles (10), Alexis Page (11)

Junior Carnival - Male Individual

 1. Aaron Degraff as the Mystical Creature, Fantazia International (Will Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

2.  Deon James as Trust Me, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

3. Isaiah Phillips as The Spartan, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), and Band Theme: Empires

4. Maven Lee as Cyclops, Callaloo (Marlin Singh), and Band Theme: The Adventures of Sinbad

Jalen Magloire (5), Marlon Strong (6), Amari Lee Balroop (7), London Christmas-Espinet (8),  Darion Jackson (9) and Stephen Gibbs (10)

 Junior Carnival Female - Individual

1. Desiree Pennant as Peafowl in the Garden, Fantazia International (Will Morton), and Band Theme: Wonders of the Forest

2. Caneisa Edwards as the Cotton Candy Fairy, Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai), Band Theme: Candy Land, Band Theme: Candy Land

3. Reyna Sing as a Flamenco Dancer, Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace), and Band Theme: Empires

4A Rebecca Pooran as Ember Moon dancer, Connections (Mervyn Skeete), Band Theme: Under the Sun (Fantasy Island)

4. B Kyonna Brand as Shanti's Garden, Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire), and Band Theme: Jungle Book Meets Bollywood

Starr Hollingsworth (5), Madison Defreitas-Robinson (6), Gabriela Sealy (7), Kajian Shepherd (8), Janell Campbell-Bartholomew, (9), Jada Brand (10) and Shiloh Presod-Adams (11)