Great Layout Designs
Listen to the Podcast: Should African Authors Venture into eBooks?
Welcome to Authors, Books & Conversations by CLC Kenya
…The podcast that celebrates the power of storytelling, the beauty of literature, and the impact of Christian authorship. I am your host, Dr. Muthoni Omukhango, and I am delighted to take you on a journey through some of the most inspiring books featured in the African Christian Authors Book Award (ACABA).
Today, we’ll be delving into five remarkable books that have received recognition from the African Christian Authors Book Award (ACABA). These books are filled with wisdom, inspiration, and faith-driven insights that have touched many lives. So, grab your favorite drink—be it chocolate, coffee, tea, juice, or something refreshing—and let’s immerse ourselves in these literary treasures!
We will also be discussing a topic that is increasingly shaping the future of African authors—Should African Authors Venture into eBooks?
The world of books is rapidly evolving, and with the rise of digital reading platforms, more and more authors are considering the shift from print to electronic formats. But is this transition viable for African authors? What are the opportunities and challenges?
Stick around as we explore this important conversation, along with five exceptional books with great layout designs as reviewed at the African Christian Authors Book Award (ACABA).
Now, let’s dive in!
ACABA by CLC Kenya is a program that recognises, celebrates and promotes African Christian authors whose works inspire, equip, and transform lives. Each year, a panel of judges carefully evaluates submissions based on originality, Biblical alignment, relevance, and literary excellence. In this special episode, we will review five outstanding books, highlighting their impact and the judges’ feedback. Join me as we dive into these literary treasures!
African Books With Great Forewords
Why Are African Books & Conversations Important Today?
African books and the conversations surrounding them are more important than ever in today’s world to Preserve and Celebrate African Stories: For centuries, Africa’s rich oral traditions, history, and wisdom have been passed down through storytelling. Now, books serve as an extension of that legacy, capturing authentic African experiences and ensuring they are not lost. African literature provides a unique lens through which we understand our past, navigate our present, and shape our future as we draw our continent to God!
tags : Foreword, African Books, ACABA Judges Feedback, Great Reads
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Book 1:
Transform Your Life – A 90-Day Adventure
Author: Judy Owiti, Kenya
This is a beautifully crafted 90-day devotional that leads readers on a transformative spiritual journey. Each day presents a Scripture-based reflection, real-life application, and thought-provoking questions to help readers deepen their faith and integrate biblical principles into daily living.
Why We Love It
The book’s well-structured layout and clear writing style make it highly engaging and accessible for Christians at different stages of their faith journey. The devotional seamlessly weaves together biblical teachings, life stories, and action steps, making it a powerful tool for personal growth. The reflection questions encourage introspection, helping readers connect deeply with the message. Additionally, Judy Owiti’s coaching and mentorship background shine through, making this book an excellent resource for believers seeking spiritual renewal.
Book 2:
Obeying God
Author: Orowhe Blessing, Nigeria
This book focuses on the importance of listening to and obeying God’s voice. With a concise and direct approach, the author explores practical ways to discern God’s guidance and act on His instructions.
Why We Love It
One of the book’s standout qualities is its straightforward and accessible writing style, making it suitable for young and mature readers alike. The book is highly engaging, with a compact format that allows readers to absorb its lessons quickly. The author presents original insights while staying true to biblical truths. Readers will appreciate how this book serves as both an informative and practical guide to obedience in daily Christian living.
Book 3:
You Are Enough
Author: Sipokazi Somzana, South Africa
Standing With Her is a powerful motivational book written to inspire women to recognize their self-worth and embrace their full potential. Through a blend of personal reflections, biblical principles, and practical exercises, Sipokazi Somzana provides a roadmap for women to break free from self-doubt and societal expectations.
The book includes interactive exercises that guide readers toward self-discovery and personal growth, making it more than just an inspirational read—it’s a transformational experience. Whether you’re looking to boost your confidence, align your identity with God’s truth, or take bold steps toward your dreams, this book provides the encouragement and tools you need.
Why We Love It
Authentic and Relatable – The writing style is warm and accessible, making the reader feel as though they’re having a conversation with a trusted friend. The author’s personal experiences add depth and sincerity to the message.
Biblically Grounded and Faith-Centered – One of the book’s biggest strengths is its integration of Christian values. By weaving Scripture throughout the chapters, the author provides a faith-based foundation for personal empowerment.
Interactive and Engaging – Unlike many motivational books that only offer inspiration, Standing With Her includes exercises for self-reflection. This practical approach ensures that readers don’t just absorb the message but actively engage with it and apply it to their own lives.
Focused and Encouraging – The book remains true to its theme of women’s empowerment. It speaks directly to women’s struggles, uplifting them with a clear and consistent message: You are enough!
Well-Structured for Easy Reading – The chapters flow smoothly, making it an easy yet impactful read. The book is structured in a way that encourages both individual reflection and group discussion, making it a great resource for women’s groups or Bible studies.
Book 4:
The Fearless Leader
Author: Grace Christine Obonyo kyayonka, Uganda
This biography captures the inspiring leadership journey of Ivan, the author’s husband. It not only tells his story but also shares valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and faith.
Why We Love It
This book is a heartfelt tribute that resonates deeply with readers. The structure is clear, making it easy to follow and engaging. The emotional depth of the narrative connects with readers on a personal level, making it more than just a leadership book—it’s a story of impact and legacy. The inclusion of real-life stories and photographs adds a rich personal touch, making it a standout in Christian leadership literature.
Book 5:
Created for the Assignment
Author: Zipporah K. Sila
Created for the Assignment, by Pastor Zipporah K. Sila, is more than just a read—it is an invitation to uncover the reason for your existence and journey into the profound life of one who walks in close friendship with God. Through its pages, you’ll be inspired to cultivate a lifestyle that welcomes divine visitation and establishes a lasting habitation of God’s kingdom in and around you. Designed to empower you in fulfilling your kingdom assignment effortlessly, this book offers a fresh perspective on living a purpose-driven, God-centred life. Let it challenge, guide and immerse you into a deeper connection with your Creator, making kingdom living your natural way of life.
Why We Love It
This book explores the divine purpose and assignment that God has for every individual. Through biblical examples and personal reflections, it encourages readers to seek and fulfill their God-given destinies.
The book is both inspiring and motivational, making it a powerful tool for self-discovery and spiritual growth. The well-structured content ensures that readers can follow the journey of discovering their purpose with ease. The author’s ability to connect biblical truths with practical application makes the book a valuable addition to personal devotion and study. This book will undoubtedly encourage many to step boldly into their God-ordained assignment.
What an insightful selection of books! Each one offers something unique, from empowering wisdom to spiritual encouragement. It is inspiring to see such incredible contributions to African Christian literature, strengthening faith and transforming lives.
What do these five books have in common? They are professionally designed. Let’s break it down!
You see, book design is something that often goes unnoticed but makes a huge difference in your reading experience. Yes, you heard me right! It’s not just about what’s written on the pages; it’s about how those pages are presented.
1. Perfectly Balanced Devotionals
These devotionals are designed with just the right amount of content per day—neither too heavy nor too light. Readers can anticipate their daily read-load, making it easy to stay on track and engaged.
2. Crystal-Clear Table of Contents
Ever picked up a book and felt lost just flipping through the pages? Not here! These books have a clean, minimalistic, and structured Table of Contents, making it a breeze to find exactly what you need.
3. Beautiful Chapter Dividers
Some of these books feature stunning artwork as chapter dividers, breaking up the monotony of text and offering a delightful pause before diving into the next section. It’s like a breath of fresh air on the page!
4. Smart Font Hierarchy
The fonts? Oh, they do the heavy lifting! Some books use hierarchical fonts to highlight main points, sub-points, and Scriptures, guiding your eyes effortlessly through the content. No more getting lost in a sea of words!
5. Pictures That Speak Volumes
You know what they say—a picture is worth a thousand words! Some books incorporate powerful images that reinforce the message and make the stories even more memorable and impactful.
6. The Power of White Space
Let’s talk about breathing room! These books embrace white space wisely, using it to feature reflection questions and journaling lines. This makes the reading experience less overwhelming and more interactive.
7. A Touch of Floral Elegance
And here’s a unique touch—some of these books weave in delicate pencil-line flowers between sections! It’s a subtle yet creative way to add beauty and variation to the book without the extra cost of full-color printing. Genius, right?
So, the next time you pick up a well-designed book, take a moment to appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the pages. Because great design isn’t just about looking good—it’s about making the reading experience effortless, enjoyable, and engaging.
What’s the best-designed book you’ve ever read? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it!
So, Should African authors venture into eBooks?
The short answer—absolutely! But let’s break it down and talk about why eBooks are not just an option but a game-changer for African writers.
1. Expanding Beyond Borders
One of the biggest challenges African authors face is distribution. Physical books are often limited by shipping costs, customs, and availability in bookstores. But with eBooks? A reader in Ghana can buy your book in seconds, just like a reader in Canada or Australia. No shipping delays, no stock shortages—just instant access.
2. Lower Production Costs = Higher Profit Margins
Printing books can be expensive, especially for self-published authors. With eBooks, you eliminate printing and storage costs—allowing you to keep more of your earnings while pricing competitively. Plus, digital platforms pay royalties faster than traditional publishers, meaning your hard work translates into income sooner rather than later.
3. Tapping into Africa’s Mobile-First Audience
Here’s a game-changer: Africa is a mobile-first continent. Millions of people use smartphones daily, and digital reading apps are becoming more popular. Platforms like Amazon Kindle, OkadaBooks, Scribd, and Bambooks allow African authors to reach a growing audience that prefers reading on their phones or tablets.
4. More Ways to Engage Readers
eBooks open the door to new ways of storytelling. You can add hyperlinks to videos, devotionals, podcasts, or online courses. Imagine writing a Christian book and embedding a worship playlist or a QR code linking to a Bible study guide. That’s next-level engagement that print books can’t offer!
5. Instant Publishing & Updates
Unlike print books that take months to edit, print, and distribute, an eBook can be published instantly. Found a typo? Need to add a chapter? No problem—just update the file. This flexibility allows African authors to stay relevant and keep their books fresh.
6. Building a Global Author Brand
Publishing an eBook gives you international exposure. It’s easier to get featured on global book lists, online magazines, and literary platforms when your book is accessible worldwide. A digital presence means more opportunities for speaking engagements, collaborations, and media features.
Final Thought: It’s Time to Take the Leap!
African authors, the world is waiting for your stories! eBooks give you the reach, flexibility, and profitability to build a sustainable writing career. If you haven’t yet ventured into digital publishing, now is the time.
So, if you’re a Christian author—or aspiring to be one—there has never been a better time to share your work with the world. eBook platforms have expanded, making it easier for African authors to publish and sell their books in local currencies. In addition to Amazon, check out these African-friendly platforms:
- AfricanBooks.com by Lena Pira (Uganda)
- Booksformysoul.com by Paulie Mugure (Kenya)
Christian eBooks, Bibles, fiction, Bible study, commentaries in English, Spanish and Italian: CLC eBooks by CLC International (UK)
You can now convert your PDF to an ePub format locally within just a couple of days, making digital publishing even more accessible!
Find more at: 
Training – African Christian Authors
Have you published an eBook or are you considering it? Let’s discuss! Drop your thoughts in the comments or send us a message. Thank you for spending this time with me on Authors, Books & Conversations by CLC Kenya. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please share it with a friend, leave us a review, and subscribe for more inspiring discussions. Until next time, keep writing, keep growing, and keep making an impact!
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I’m grateful to know that our efforts, working with our publishers, gave birth to the beautiful layout in our respective books. Mediocrity should have no place in everything we, because we do everything unto the Lord🙏
I deeply appreciate the judges for their feedback to us. Your comments are remarkable summaries and have personally energized me for my next book project. Thank you.
Great books and insightful comments. 👏