I got an email from a friend congratulating me on making the Commonwealth Writers' Prize shortlist. 'To think,' she wrote, 'that you did it in six months!"

Reading the email, I was struck by how little she - and the world at large - knew of publishing. That particular friend hadn't seen me in six months. I suppose she thought that I churned out the book, got a publishing deal and boom! Eyo was out in the shops.

For what's it's worth, I started writing Eyo around 2002/3. Many times, I would get to the 10-15,000 word count and delete everything I'd written. After about seven deletions, I finally decided to tell Eyo's story the way she wanted it to be told and damned the consequences. Finding a publisher who cared was another feat in itself.

To put everything in perspective, Eyo's journey from idea to publication took at least seven years.

There are easier ways to make a living.