When a creative completes the writing of a book, it’s beautiful. There is even more cause to celebrate when the book eventually gets published. Unfortunately though, book launches do not always come with the pomp and pageantry they deserve. The unveiling of a book is usually a quiet event, but one organisation looks set to change how things are done around here.

Cassava Republic Press, one of Nigeria’s leading publishers, is throwing a book launch party (emphasis on party) to celebrate the official Nigerian release of Olumide Popoola’s novel “When We Speak Of Nothing”. The event, which is expected to attract some of Nigeria’s finest writers and literary enthusiasts, is scheduled to take place on Thursday 16th November 2017 at Colours In Africa, 13A Musa Yar Adua, Victoria island, Lagos. Activities are expected to kick off from 6.30pm.

The sensational Afro-soul singer, OloriAfrica will perform her magic on drums and the fiery spoken performance poet, Eva will prepare us for the weekend with a few intense verses.

Olumide Popoola, a Nigerian-German, is a writer, speaker and performer. She is the author of the novella “This Is Not About Sadness”, the play “Also By Mail” and the short story collection “Breach” (co-authored with Annie Holmes). Her poetic prowess earned her the May Ayim Award, Germany’s first black international literature award, in 2004.

Peppered with contemporary slang, When We Speak of Nothing has enjoyed positive reviews for its brilliant exploration of friendship, loyalty, race and gender identity in the digital age. The book follows the lives of two teenage best friends, Karl and Abu, who are caught up in the Niger Delta and London crisis, respectively – while still learning so much more about themselves and the world they live in.