Printing costs have increased by 15,000% from then to now
Ezra Ejigu (tewedaje Media)
The book titled “Zebasil” by Tsehay Melaku, Ethiopia’s first female novelist, will be officially launched on Saturday, Tahsas 11, 2018 E.C., at Wemezekir Hall, starting from 2:00 PM (8:00 local time).
In an interview she gave a few hours ago to tewedaje Media, Tsehay Melaku explained that “Zebasil” is a character name, carrying the meaning of deviation or something that was not as it should have been.
She noted that “Zebasil” conveys the concept of Ethiopian identity and points to how a great country can be safeguarded and responsibly passed on to the next generation.
Among the books Tsehay Melaku has published since 1980 E.C. are: Kuwassa, Anguz, Bisrahel, Ememnet, Emotional Heat Volumes 1 and 2, The Court of Repentance, The Vigil of Petros, A Hero Like Tewodros, A Warrior Like Petros, Autobiography, and The Legacy of Teba.
Recalling her first novel “Kuwassa,” which she printed in 1982 E.C.—10,000 copies at a cost of 14,000 birr—she stated that “Zebasil” was printed in only 1,000 copies at a cost exceeding 200,000 birr. This, she explained, clearly shows how dramatically printing costs have increased over the years.
Thirty-six years ago, she was charged 1 birr and 40 cents per copy to print Kuwassa. Today, to print fewer than the original 9,000 copies, she is charged 210 birr per copy. This means that the price of printing books has increased by about 15,000 percent.
She added that just as she had borrowed money to publish her earlier works, she has again borrowed more than a quarter of a million birr to publish Zebasil. Those close to her say this demonstrates her deep love for literature.
Tsehay Melaku’s life story is documented in volume two of “Mezgebe Aemero” (The Amharic Encyclopedia ). When May 16 arrives, she will turn 74 years old. Zebasil, which sells for 500 birr, is expected to receive strong support from her fans through high purchase numbers at the launch.
Tsehay Melaku was born on May 16, 1944 E.C., in Addis Ababa. She learned to read and write at a church school. She completed her primary education in Addis Ababa at Menelik II School, her junior secondary education in Debre Tabor at Emperor Tewodros School, and her senior secondary education in Gondar at Emperor Haile Selassie I Technical School. She later earned a teaching certificate from Addis Ababa University, a diploma in business studies, and a degree in English language and literature from Unity University.
From childhood, she read religious Ge’ez and Amharic texts alongside modern education. This led her toward literature, a passion she began practicing actively while she was a secondary school student participating in a literary club.
She entered the workforce in 1963 E.C. as a business studies teacher at Asella General Secondary School. In 1973 E.C., she returned to Addis Ababa and worked as a secretary and teacher at General Wingate Technical School. During this time, she became involved with Legedadi Educational Radio Station, where she began presenting articles under various pen names. She was especially known for her engaging writings on programs such as “Saturday With Us,” “Sunday for a Moment,” and “Pen on the Women’s Platform.”
Recognized for her perseverance, Ethiopia’s first female novelist, Tsehay Melaku, will officially launch her 12th book, Zebasil, in a well-organized ceremony on Saturday, Tahsas 11, 2018 E.C., in the presence of her admirers
