Zimbabwean novelist Sue Nyathi, whose book "The Polygamist" was adapted into a Netflix hit, is drawing attention to the financial realities faced by many writers, particularly in Africa. Nyathi, 48, who left a nearly two-decade career in finance to pursue writing full-time after publishing her first novel, describes her path to success as far from instantaneous.
"People say, 'Oh, you're an overnight success.' Not at all," Nyathi stated. "The recognition is overnight, but the work has been put in over many years, and I've made a lot of sacrifices."
Nyathi recounted her experience of self-funding her debut novel and highlighted that many authors, especially in Africa, cannot sustain themselves solely on their published works. She noted that successful writers often rely on external support such as spouses, grants, or residencies, options that were not available to her as a single mother who needed to finance her son's education. This often necessitates juggling writing with other jobs to cover living expenses.
"There's a long period between when you start a book and you finish it. It could be two years, it could be eight years. How do you survive? Practically bills still need to be paid," she explained. "I've walked that journey and it's erratic… you're definitely going to have to stay in that day job."
She believes that "writing is a luxury that most people can't afford," observing that this financial barrier silences many potential voices. Furthermore, Nyathi pointed out an imbalance in how African literature gains international traction, stating, "It's easier for an African writer published overseas to gain traction. Books are traditionally sold down to us. It's hard for our work to sell upwards."
The "Netflix effect" has provided Nyathi with a level of visibility she hadn't previously experienced across her four novels and more than a decade of writing, which has often tackled politically charged subjects. She is currently working on a historical novel, a project she has been developing for the past two years.
For aspiring writers, especially women facing financial constraints, Nyathi's advice is to begin with the basics: "everything starts with a story." She encourages them to "start with a pen and paper, and do it for love," emphasizing that passion, not financial gain, is the fuel needed to persevere through the challenges of writing.