SEVHAGE caters to traditional and self-publishing services. Our traditional services are usually for solicited materials from varied sources which our expert literary agents recommend. Our more open self-publishing process is described next.

The process for publishing starts with the client sending the manuscript to our email sevhage@gmail.com (copy to sueddie.agema1@gmail.com). We would look at the manuscript and forward it to our editing department if you so wish. Our editing cost usually depends on the quality of the work or the package the client wants. It is usually done based on the word count of such a document (a minimum of five naira a word times the total number of words in the document). Editing fees are to be covered by clients. Journal papers are assessed at a minimum of ten thousand naira a paper. Normal editing of such papers is at prevailing prices. When we have your final manuscript, we will send you an estimated cost of publication. This might take a week to a month or more to generate, depending on the manuscript size and the work it entails. Kindly note that before commencing work on your project, we will need a percentage of payment [at least 30%] paid into our account. If by the point of production, the number of pages quoted or the price of paper increase or decrease, the quotation will be adjusted accordingly. Where an estimate for the work cannot be given, we require a down payment of N100,000 before we start work on the project. If for any reason, the client decides not to continue work with us, we will deduct expenses accrued from the work to that point from the deposit.

Costing your work is based mainly on the number of pages of the project and the quantity you wish to produce (we usually advise for a minimum of 500 or 1000 copies). Note that conventionally, an A4 sized paper equals two A5 sheets which is the standard print option for books. We also give you a timeframe for the production of your work. Production time usually depends on the inner design of your work, cover design and the like. Alternatively, clients can opt for an electronic package with the work hosted online on some of our partner platforms. If you already have your work laid and designed, we can proceed straight to cost.

There are three options for payment that must be made before we commence work:

• You pay 100% upfront for the work;
• You pay 85% upfront and you pay the remaining 15% when the work is done, before delivery to you;
• You pay 30% before we commence, pay another 60% when we are set for press and pay the final 10% before delivery to you.

When the design is done and approved by both parties, it usually takes a minimum of four weeks to finish. We do not usually give print copies to clients but send PDFs of what the work will look like for approval. Any demand for the printed sample will incur a charge to be paid for by the client and postage costs as may apply. The PDF is the only soft copy material that we give to clients at the end of work.

Payments are usually paid into any of our bank accounts.

Clients are expected to send a text with payment details once any payment is made. Once payment is confirmed by us, an E-receipt is usually sent to the client within 62 working hours. Once work commences on any work, there is no refund.

The publishing cost covers the printing of your work and the following, which we offer as your publishers:

• Registration of your work with the National Library and issuance of
• Depending on the project and company’s discretion, conducting an interview for you – the author or subject of a book. Also, a review can be done on the work at the company’s discretion.
• Publication of the interview on our review blog, http://sevhagereviews.wordpress.com (which is gaining a following in the Nigerian literary community) and/or any other site.
• Please note that getting an ISSN is a bit more complicated and is treated on each case’s merit.

Where possible, we would partner with you to get your work into literary competitions (of its category) we are aware of, with proper arrangements agreed to by both parties. We are delighted to have prize winning and shortlisted authors in our fold including Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi (winner ANA/Cadbury Prize for Poetry 2007 & 2008; winner, ANA/NNDC Gabriel Okara Prize for Poetry 2007 & 2010; Nominated for Nigerian Literature (NLNG) Prize 2009 and 2017), Professor Sule E. Egya (Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize, African Region 2013), Professor Dul Johnson (Winner, Association of Nigerian Authors’ Prize for Prose 2017), Dr. Maria Ajima (multiple award winning writer, seasoned scholar and one of the leading female voices in Northern Nigerian literature), Damian Terkaa Jam and Terseer Samuel Baki (Shortlist, ANA Prize for Poetry 2014 and 2015 respectively), Bash Amuneni (one of Nigeria’s topmost spoken word artistes, listed as one of EGC’s Top 50 Contemporary Poets Who Rocked Nigeria 2018), and our Chief Executive Officer, Su’ur Su’eddie Vershima Agema (joint winner Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry 2014, Mandela Day Short Story Prize winner 2016; Nigerian Writers’ Award 100 Most Influential Writers Under 40). Where any work under our imprint wins a prize, the work’s author is expected to give ten per cent of the prize money to the publishing house within a week of receiving the money.

Our academic and non-creative titles are usually published under our Whiteline imprint, which has boasted different titles and journals from departments within institutions and/or organisations such as Development Exchange Centre, Bauchi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Abuja; Benue State University, Makurdi; the Federal University, Lafia; and Nasarawa State University, Keffi. We are also proud to have published some TETFUND-sponsored projects of critical acclaim including Niyi Osundare: A Literary Biography by Professor Sule E. Egya; Creolisation in Nigerian Theatre by Professor Victor S. Dugga; and Mada Religion and Society by Dr. Amin Zaigi Ngharen.

We usually ask our authors to make a voluntary contribution to SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative, our sister non-profit organisation dedicated to literary and general development by way of donating what quantity of their books as possible and availing time to come and participate in some of our activities which include workshops for students, donation of books to schools and libraries, literary festivals, educational outreaches in communities, and the like. In a bid to promote the work of our authors, we also try to make deals with promoters, reviewers and electronic platforms. This is usually done as a value-added service by the publishing house, in select cases. Agreeing to publish with us means that you grant us the right to be your agents and speak/take decisions on your behalf regarding the book published under our imprint. This does not in any way grant us copyright or ownership of your book as THAT REMAINS EXCLUSIVELY YOURS. It gives us a chance to seek any possible way to get a deal in the interest of your book such as getting into competitions, talking to agents, bookshops, competitions, or other bigger publishing deals FOR YOU.

NOTE that this current package is as applicable now. It would help to always check with us for our latest publishing package as they might change as management considers. Note that quotations are subject to change after every fourteen days and prices might be increased as determined by the price of paper in the market.

Please also note that your instalment of any payment for work shows an agreement to all terms as contained in this document which will be binding on you as an author/agent.

We assure you of top quality and value for your every kobo. That is an assurance that you can hold us up to any day. Feel free to contact us at sevhage@gmail.com or call Mr Oko Owoicho on +2347030285995 for any clarification or further discussion.

Thank you for partnering with us and making us a part of your dream.

• The SEVHAGE Team