By Elizabeth Osayande

For Mrs. Adeyinka Komolafe, an author of children and motivational books, the bitter experience she had selling her books through vendors, made her set up Read & Earn platform, where authors and book lovers get to enjoy the dividend of writing, buying and reading books.

Read & Earn platform otherwise known Read & Earn Mall+ Limited is a one-stop centre for book lovers. While authors get their works published, distributed, and also get returns, readers alike get complementary copies of books at little or no cost, with tokens for reading.

Speaking of the platform, Komolafe noted that: ” Being an author, I remembered the years where there was no platform like this. I will take my books from bookshops to bookshops. They take it from me, and I give them discount. At the end of the day, they put more money on the book, which made it difficult for buyers to get. And most times, when they eventually sell the books, they still will not account for the sales with one excuse or the other. ” the author explained.

On her the platform runs, Komolafe who noted that the platform also engaged in publishing, outlines how readers get value for reading. “For authors, we encourage them to register with us and we assess the books to see whether it is something of public interest. Then, they can enroll for membership.

“On the other hands, the readers ‘ club is built like a multi-level platform for the authors and readers to earn some money. Organised into bronze (level 1), silver (level 2), gold (level 3) and diamond (level 4) categories, the author can earn both as a reader and earn royalties as an author. Other perks to registration include t-shirts, bible and books, music accessories, depending on the level of registration.

“Aside that, we give you percentage of your registration as point value. Level one is 2 PV, Level two, 4 PV, level three, is 6 PV, and level four is 8 PV. And there is PV accumulation. Once you keep on registering, and refer people to the platform, your PV increases. And if you get up to 50 PVs, you get a cash award.

” So, readers have to register to access books. And registration ranges from N3000 to N12000. We have a column on how we encourage people to read. It is not about you getting a book, on our website, there is a column for reviewers where you review books you have read. If you publish your review on our website, automatically, you get point value. Which reflect to cash price.

On what readers have to gain in the level they register for, the CEO, Read and Earn platform reiterated that: “For level one readers, you can access up to two to three books. Level two, three to four books; level three, five to six books. While the last level, seven to eight books , and other things. They get it as their own copy. They get it as pack.” She explained.