Salamatu Sule is an author, African literature reviewer and a former Secretary of the Abuja Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). She speaks in this interview with ABDULHAFEEZ T. OYEWOLE on her children's book “Oma: The Drummer Queen”, her upcoming works  and other sundry issues.

Last year, your children story book, Oma: The Drummer Queen, was published along two other titles in the ANA's Nigeria Writers Series (NWS); how did you feel when your manuscript got selected, considering the numbers of submissions contesting same publishing opportunity?

I felt great and happy that my manuscript got to the selection list and that Nigeria children gets to read my work.

Yes, there were quite a huge number of entry.

Can you kindly take us through the process that led to the final selection and of course inclusion of your work in the Series?

Well, like every writer seeking selection opportunity, I entered in my work with that hope and positive enthusiasm. I was later to be contacted by the series editor and today we have the publication out of the many conversation and from the judges report as well.

How did you conceive the title, plot, setting and characters in the book?

They were conceived through another remarkable opportunity from the writers residency in Ebedi Iseyin, established by Dr Wale Okediran. 

The story is set in Iseyin and the plot is derived from examining the magical incursion of the girl child. 

My characters in the book are mixed as OMA in my native dialect is the child. Every other characters are within the setting of the book.

What's the semantic of OMA in your dialect?

The child. Metaphorically, the child can be a girl or a boy.

What's the significance of the role played by Oma in the book?

Omaha plays a critical role of a girl child and achiever. She takes after her father's profession which is rare for a female.

Did you write the story as a response to ANA's call or you picked it from your archives of manuscripts for such privilege?

I have so many manuscripts in my archives; some are unpublishable. 

OMA was written in 2012 as a complete work from the residency (I.e Ebedi writers residency). 

I wanted it published traditionally to help support the girl child project and the call was for me a perfect time.

Apart from rewards that come with hard work, obedience and determination, what other lessons and messages do you intend to pass with the book?

The whole idea in the belief to achieving your set out goals. OMA believes so much in the profession that she has set out for herself and as a goal getter, no one, not even Asake, her mother can prevent her from getting to her final destination.

Asake and Oma, I see an infusion of tribal names here, was it an intentional cultural integration? 

Yes. My coming into an environment and coexisting with the people of Iseyin birthed the character of OMA. A greatly fusion I must say.

Omo means child in Yoruba but OMA is called a child too in Igala.

There was also a great intercourse in the characters of Aremu and Olodumare, to what extent do you believe in communication between the spiritual and the living realm? 

The book is all about magical realism and the bringing back of folkism, an aspect of literature which is fast fading.

I still read Amos Tutuola and you can tell the Africaness in his works.

How much more of cultural integration should will be expecting in your next works?

As much as possible, because my new children's work is coming under the Nigerian WA ZO BIA series and more about our Nigerianess.

What other works are your working on?

I have a book on the way, it’s titled “Bakura Bako the Last King” and a collection of poems, titled “The Orchestra of Her Last Rites”.

As a literary critic and reviewer, what do you consider a good reviewer should possess and also how can one achieve a good review of any literary work?

The understanding of the universe of the book, the philosophy behind the author's choice of plot and setting. Providing if constructive criticism that is in line with the story.

Now on a good review, what makes you doff your hat?

I doff my hat for readership and constructive criticism.

How would you like to end this chat?

First, writers need to write good works that is appreciated by the reading audience and also reviewers must consider review of good works.

Also, we need more names in the area of children literature.