Next up for the #QuestionswithBookamoso feature is Bobo Lukhele. I met Bobo through the social networks, and I’ve watched her place her mark in the literature space in her own way. Continue to shine your light Bobo. We see you.
Tell us about who you are, what inspires you and how did you get into the book selling business?
Bobo Lukhele: My name is Bobo Lukhele I’m a journalist by profession. I’m currently an Editor at the SABC -Mpumalanga office. I’m the Founder of BookHive – which started as a book club with friends. In 2016 we registered it as an NPO because we wanted to do more of school visits and donating books. That very same year I started selling books after realising that some of our black loved self-published authors are not found in the bookshops. I started by selling Dudu Busani-Dube and Zanele Dlamini’s books which were sold in a week’s time and I was out of stock. I have always wanted to own a library at the same time I want to see authors making sales on their books hence I’m doing both passionately so.
Tell us more about your store, including its history and areas you focus on/location. Also, what types of books does your store stock and specialize in?
Bobo Lukhele: BookHive Mobile Bookshop is based in Nelspruit but not limited to the area. I courier books every Tuesday and Thursday nationwide and international. I’m saying it’s based in Nelspruit because that is where I reside but I send books to any part of the world. I started selling books in 2016 I was mainly focusing on self-published authors mostly fiction writers. But over the years I have noticed that my clientele is very diverse now I’m getting my books from publishing houses as well, even international publishers. My clients are very diverse so I try to get any book that they want. I think this year I have really changed focus.
Who is your market? Who contacts you for a sale/the people who buy from your online profile?
Bobo Lukhele: My market is mostly ladies middle aged ladies and the men are coming up alright but that’s a whole different clientele mostly they want political and leadership books. Most of the ladies want fiction books your novels kind of books and some would buy true life story books.
What is it that you love about your work with books? And what don’t you like?
Bobo Lukhele: There are quite a few moments that touch my heart. The most part I love about selling books is when I see my client smile when they receive their order and the appreciation messages that I receive. You know people go crazy when they want a certain book and I’m so happy to deliver that book to them. But most of all I love the conversations after reading the books. They are awesome. What I don’t like about this work is rejection from authors – when authors don’t want you to run with their books, when they don’t believe that you can help them sell the book. Some would be calling you every day and ask about sales. Sometimes you also get a badly written book and that author will be forcing you to sell the book and in your heart you know very well that this book won’t make it in the market.
What are the challenges you’ve gone through in the time you’ve been operating? What characteristics do you think one has to have to run a successful book business?
Bobo Lukhele: The challenges that I have gone through is when an author doesn’t send the books as discussed. I have had only a few incidents of mixing up books to clients and when books don’t arrive on time to a client. If you are in this business firstly you have to love reading – I try to read all the books that I sell so that I know exactly what I’m selling.
What sets you apart from other local book distributors?
Bobo Lukhele: I think we are all different and unique in our own ways. But with me I have to connect with the author for me to sell the book. I also try to get any book that a customer wants. Also the fact that we host book launches that sets us apart – it’s so nice talking face to face with an author to unpack and discuss a book.
What lessons have you learnt from book selling in South Africa?
Bobo Lukhele: People love reading, people want to buy books.
Which book has sold way past your own expectations? And why do you think so?
Bobo Lukhele: The Hlomu series books. People still want to buy it 3 years after I started selling it. This is one of the books that has got people reading in the country. I think the storyline has gotten people hooked especially ladies. Another book that really stood out for me and was not talked about much is The Politician by Khathu Maestro it really made huge sales.
Why is it important to support self-published authors in your business?
Bobo Lukhele: It is important because they write true stories on what is happening in our everyday life. I think most of these self-published authors have taken writing into another level. It shows that blacks can write too, because it’s mostly our black young authors. It’s a way of giving them a voice and space in the writing industry.
What in your opinion due to your book sales is the appetite for South African fiction currently?
Bobo Lukhele: At the moment there is no book that I can point out. This year has been a low for book sellers, however The Politician by Khathu Maestro got readers hooked and attracted many buyers. Currently there isn’t any book taking readers by storm.
Social Media Account/s where you prefer to be contacted:
Bobo Lukhele:
Instagram: @bookhive_sa
Facebook – BookHive
Twitter : @BoboLukhele
I absolutely love the fact that you have a trademark at every stall you feature in around the country by placing a yellow vase on the table. Love it.
