Square Peg lands Kativhu's empowering debut

Square Peg has landed the debut title by Vee Kativhu, YouTube creator, education activist and founder of Empowered by Vee.

World rights were bought by editor Mireille Harper from Nish O’Connor at Sixteenth. Empowered: Turning Lemons into Lemonade will publish in hardback, e-book and audio on 2nd December 2021.

The book's synopsis explains: “Drawing from personal experiences, Empowered will cover topics from how to set your life goals, career aspirations and actually achieve them; stay motivated in the face of rejection and hardship; learn from your mistakes; take chances, live your best life and not to let hardship define you; cultivate feelings of self-love and self-empowement; and how to make the best lemonade the world has ever tasted when life throws rotten lemons at you.”

Kativhu uses her platform to share tips and advice to help underprivileged and underrepresented people from across the world recognise their own talent and potential. An Oxford graduate of classical archaeology and ancient history, she is now studying international education policy at Harvard with the hope of becoming a policy advisor for girls’ education in Zimbabwe, where she was raised.

She said: “I am so excited to finally be sharing this book with the world. When I was younger I really wish I’d had someone there to tell me that it would be OK, show me how to turn my rejection into redirection, fight imposter syndrome and overall just believe in myself and my abilities more.

“I know that my story is not entirely unique and that’s why I am even more eager to share it. I hope that many of the readers will relate and that it will shine a light on the real lives that so many of us lead, but don’t often see written about. Those of us who come from working-class, single-parent households. Those of us who have migrated to new countries and learned new languages. Those of us whom the journey has not been easy – whether due to lack of finances, resources, opportunities and often, love. My words in this book represents the many, not the few. I want everyone who reads this to close the final chapter and no longer feel alone.”

Harper added: “As soon as I came across Vee’s empowering and inspirational videos, I knew she was destined to write a book. Vee radiates positivity, and I can’t wait for her words of wisdom and advice on empowerment to be soaked up by readers everywhere. Her honesty, insight and empathy will inspire us to lead empowered lives, not only for ourselves but for others too. Life has really dealt us lemons over the past year, and I am excited for Vee to give us the tools to turn these into lemonade with Empowered!”