School Of Writing and Publishing - Fortham Publishers Limited

School of Writing and Publishing Excellence

We are pleased to announce the Fortham School of Writing & Publishing Excellence, an intensive two-day professional capacity-building programme designed for aspiring writers, emerging authors, and editors who are committed to excellence and long-term impact.

ASPIRING WRITER TO PUBLISHED AUTHOR

Theme: From Idea to Impact: Writing with Purpose, Strategy, and Excellence

The Fortham School of Writing & Publishing Excellence is an initiative of Fortham Publishers, established to strengthen professional writing standards and support sustainable publishing practice. Aspiring Writer to Published Author is more than a training programme—it is a structured journey that takes participants from idea development through manuscript refinement to clear publishing and marketing pathways.

This programme brings together highly respected literary and publishing professionals with decades of experience across writing, editing, publishing, mentorship, and industry leadership.

Participants will benefit from practical, real-world insights drawn from both the Nigerian and international publishing ecosystem.

Our Resource Persons

Msurshima Comfort Chenge – Founder and Managing Director, Fortham Publishers Limited; Programme Director, Fortham School of Writing & Publishing Excellence; Vice President, Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters of Nigeria (NBRP); Executive Council Member, Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA); Author and Publisher.

She is a prolific author with over twenty published books and a recognised leader in Nigeria’s publishing ecosystem. Her work spans publishing, author development, education advocacy, and ethical publishing practices.

Through her leadership at Fortham Publishers, she has produced nationally approved educational titles and has attended major international book fairs, including Frankfurt (Germany), Beijing (China), and London (UK).

She brings extensive practical insight into publishing pathways, manuscript readiness, book production processes, and author–publisher relations, helping writers transition confidently from completed manuscripts to published and market-ready books.

Chief Loye Olowookere hails from Akure, Ondo State of Nigeria.Born 67 years ago, he holds a degree in Economics from University of Benin, Benin-City and MBA from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Chief Loye Olowookere is a leader in the book trade with over thirty years experience in the industry.He is very passionate about education, thus, he has dedicated his life to promoting literacy and a culture of reading. He believes in empowering individuals through education and promoting literacy programmes for the benefit of humanity.

Chief Loye Olowookere is the Coordinator of Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), Abuja Chapter, an Ex-Official member of Booksellers Association of Nigeria (BAN), Vice Chairman, Christian Booksellers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), Abuja Branch, Treasurer, Province of Abuja, Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, to mention a few.

Chief, as he’s usually called is happily married to his darling wife, Professor Titilayo Olowookere with children.

Tish Barnhardt is an award-winning author, transformational book coach, and entrepreneur with a passion for helping writers and purpose-driven individuals turn ideas into impactful, well-crafted books.

With years of experience guiding authors through the writing process, Tish specialises in helping writers develop clarity, confidence, and structure in their work, while positioning their books for relevance and reach beyond local boundaries. Her approach combines strategic writing discipline with practical insight drawn from real-world authorship and coaching experience.

As a globally engaged writing professional, Tish has supported writers across different regions, equipping them with the mindset, tools, and standards required to write books that connect meaningfully with diverse audiences. She is known for her ability to simplify complex writing challenges and help authors move from intention to completion.

Beyond writing and coaching, Tish is a respected teacher and speaker who believes in purposeful living, personal growth, and excellence in execution. Her work continues to inspire writers to produce meaningful content, refine their voice, and pursue authorship with clarity, consistency, and confidence.

Dr. Wale Okediran is a renowned Nigerian author, literary advocate, and cultural leader whose work has significantly influenced contemporary African literature. With decades of experience in writing, publishing, and literary development, he has dedicated his career to promoting African storytelling and supporting emerging writers across the continent.

He currently serves as Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), where he advances collaboration among African writers and strengthens the global visibility of African literature. Dr. Okediran is also the Founder of the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Nigeria—one of Africa’s leading literary residencies that has hosted and mentored hundreds of writers from Africa and beyond.

Previously, he was President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), where he expanded programs and reinforced the association’s role in nurturing literary talent nationwide. A prolific and award-winning author of over fourteen books, his works explore themes of society, governance, and the African experience.

Widely respected as a mentor and literary leader, Dr. Okediran continues to shape Africa’s literary future through his writing, institutional leadership, and lifelong commitment to developing new generations of writers.

Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo is an award-winning Nigerian theatre producer, director, and cultural entrepreneur whose work has played a vital role in revitalizing stage performance and live theatre culture in Nigeria. With a career spanning numerous productions and cross-border collaborations, he is widely recognized for advancing contemporary African theatre and creating platforms that connect artists, audiences, and cultural institutions.

He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Arojah Royal Theatre, a leading performance company known for producing socially relevant and artistically compelling stage works. Through Arojah Royal Theatre, Om’Oba Adesewo has delivered more than fifty stage productions and fostered collaborations with theatre practitioners and festivals across Africa and beyond.

As Festival Director of the Abuja International Theatre Festival & Awards, he has established one of Nigeria’s notable theatre events, providing a global platform for performance exchange, training, and recognition of excellence in the dramatic arts. His leadership has helped position Abuja as a growing hub for theatrical innovation and cultural dialogue.

He also serves as National Director of Media and Publicity (North Central) for the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), where he contributes to professional advocacy, visibility, and development of theatre arts practitioners in the region. Through his productions, festivals, and institutional roles, Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo continues to shape Nigeria’s theatre landscape and mentor emerging talents in the performing arts.

Benefits of Enrolling

Advanced training in manuscript development and professional editing
Practical guidance on publishing pathways, book production, and ethical publishing practices
Clear strategies for book marketing, visibility, and audience engagement
Direct exposure to seasoned authors, editors, publishers, and literary leaders
Mentorship and post-training professional guidance
Opportunities for author spotlight and multi-platform visibility
Exclusive publishing discounts for participants
Certificates of Participation issued upon completion

Who This Programme is For:

Writers ready to move beyond intention and produce publishable work
Authors seeking clarity, structure, and professional growth
Editors (both aspiring and experienced) looking to sharpen their skills and expand industry relevance
Individuals seeking practical, ethical, and sustainable success in writing and publishing

Programme Schedule:

Day One: Saturday

Day Two: Sunday

Registration Fee:

Virtual Participation – ₦10,000
On-site Participation – ₦20,000 (includes virtual access)

How To Register

Complete your registration and make payment using the online registration link here : https://forms.gle/BeXU5xBtX6AGgeYe6
Or contact us via WhatsApp on +2347077771494 for in-person registration support. Further details and confirmation will be provided upon successful registration.
If you are serious about developing your writing, refining your manuscript, understanding the publishing industry, and positioning your work for relevance and impact, this programme is for you.