New 'empowering' romance imprint from Cassava Republic

Nigerian publisher Cassava Republic Press is launching a new romance imprint called Ankara Press.

Ankara Press will publish romantic fiction for the African market in easy-to-read, purse-size books with African settings, storylines and characters.

Publisher Bibi Bakare-Yusuf said she founded Ankara Press with the aim of publishing “a new kind of romance” that “challenges romance stereotypes and empowers women to love themselves in their search for love, romance and wholesome sex”. She added: “The mission is to project the image of a confident, stylish, ambitious and cosmopolitan African woman. Part of that projection is reflected in the company’s name, Ankara, an African wax print fabric which evokes both a sense of timeless tradition and stylish modernity.”

The series is launching with six new titles: A Tailor-made Romance by Oyindamola Affinnih, Black Sparkle Romance by Amara Nicole Okolo, A Taste of Love by Sifa Asani Gowon, Love’s Persuasion by Ola Awonubi, Finding Love Again by Chioma Iwunze-Ibiam and Elevator Kiss by Amina Thula.

Bakare-Yusuf said: “We are thrilled to be launching the first titles in our Ankara Press list. The six authors are rising stars, and a great deal of work has gone into making sure that these sizzling stories will appeal to the modern Nigerian woman.”

The titles will be published initially as e-books that are easily downloadable to mobile devices on the Ankara Press website at an introductory offer price of £3.

Ankara Press will mark its launch with a Twitter event, asking readers to post about their first love using the hashtag #ankararomance.