Today we’d like to introduce you to Dinma Nmaele-afam
Hi Dinma, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I wrote my first book at 8, my father promised to help me get it published at the end of the school term.
It was stolen, that shut any inspiration to try again.
After my University education and compulsory National service to my country, Nigeria.
I stayed back in the Nation’s capital, Abuja where I served as an assistant to the Councillor of Special Duties.
The hunt for a job began, I would serve fruitlessly for several years.
I either got jobs where I was unpaid or did not serve my skill set.
My bills were mounting, it was a tough time financially.
Each time I called home, my Daddy would encourage me to try out writing again.
My idea of making money through writing was traditional book publishing so I didn’t try because I couldn’t afford a publisher while I was still struggling.
So in June 2021, I got a teaching assistant job in a school close to home..
By now I was desperate, I had maxed out my account nursing a loved one for a week so I was broken in every way.
I took that demanding job and almost lost it, I was stressed, irritable, quick to anger, too many emotions flying around.
But, something happened before I started that job, the owner of the school asked me “what else I could do?”
To which I replied “Writing”
She asked that I write a play for the school’s upcoming graduation party.
I did and she loved it.
That was a turning point for me, the peace I felt in the first three days it took me to write that book was calming.
The classroom was a different matter, as soon as I stepped in, I felt out of place.
I knew I should not be there and I made a mental note to resign but for the sake of those children and the kind hearted woman who employed me even with no experience.
I would do it at the end of the school year.
Soon after I stumbled on a man named Emeka Nobis on Facebook, he talked about writing and self publishing on Amazon KDP.
That was the first I was hearing about it, so I started writing long form content on Facebook.
By January, 2022, I had my first book ready for publishing.
In May the second was ready.
I taught myself to Write professionally, Edit, Design a book cover, and Publish on Amazon.
Like that, I was in business.
In May 2023, I delved into Ghostwriting, Publishing and Brand Storytelling for brands like Olukaii, a Tech firm in Texas USA.
This is my story
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The last three years has being anything but a smooth sail.
I started out advertising my own book without the support of a money bag publisher or a loyal fan base.
I didn’t sell more than 5 copies of a both books in total.
My first pay was from the 27 people who paid 2000 less than $2 each for my first course.
TEACHERS CREATE YOUR FIRST DIGITAL PRODUCT in January, 2023.
A series of failed classes with less numbers followed by a season of drought.
I floated from place to place deciding on Ghostwriting after I hit rock bottom in May 2023.
My first real income was in June 2023 when I secured my first Ghostwriting gig
An a steady income, 2 months later when I was employed by a Tech firm to write for their brand on Facebook.
It was around the same time, my brand DNA Imprints began.
Till now, challenges are still a part of my business, being a Startup, a lot of my time and energy and resources goes into building my brand.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Three years ago, I just wanted to write.
Now I have tested the waters with a a dip and I am sticking to:
Biographies, Memoirs, compiling History documents
Publishing
Brand Storytelling.
Speech Reading
To further explain, I write the Biographies of those who lived.
The Memoirs of those who survive.
The History of a People, Place and Culture.
(I have a newsletter where I share strange cultures biweekly)
I publish books on Amazon KDP
Build brands through storytelling and read Speeches and present papers in Africa for High end individuals and brands.
I am most proud of the original stories I tell, there is a lesson to draw from each and everyone of them.
They are inspiring, motivational and full of life lessons.
I am passionate, and see to it that every project comes to a fruitful end.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
What we need to thrive in life is already inside us, we simply need to use it as a tool to help others and everything will fall in place.
I never imagined writing would pay me in different currencies, that I could work from the comfort of my home.
That I would have a strong voice that people want to listen to, because of my craft.
Writing is my gift and the moment I began to use it to help tell the stories of others, the spotlight shone brightly on me.
Use your gift to help others, it pays.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tinyurl.com/dnaimprints-portfolio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004470392451
