Dr. Awele Ilusanmi (FANA) is a prolific and cerebral writer, whose works are at different levels impacting lives. As a leader of thought, she has continued to empower emerging writers through mentorship, professional training and innovative publishing initiatives that is strengthening Africa’s storytelling ecosystem.

For the love of writing, books, publishing and mentorship, the lady generally referred as Queen of Books birthed the Book Marketing Class Africa (BMACA) to equip authors with practical strategies for book promotion, marketing excellence, and sustainable literary careers. Emerging as the President of the Literary Authors Cooperative Multipurpose Society of Nigeria (LITACO), the scribbler upped her advocacy for books and reading culture, using the platform as an avenue to advocate for literary growth, resilience and creative empowerment.

Speaking about LITACO, she disclosed: “LITACO is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The society is established to help members become successful authors by supporting one another. These include financial and moral support via helping to edit/proofread scripts; promoting and marketing books on Amazon and other platforms; attracting international companies to buy our books locally and internationally; advertising our books in local and international trade fairs; print books; do team promotion of our books on social media platforms; get publishing deals, among others.

“The body has a financial and informative supportive system that enables authors to pursue their writing careers successfully without any financial stress. Here, authors can get support to build up their book ideas, do proper editing, printing, book signing, book launches, book marketing and author branding,”she added.

Apart from this, the body is actively promoting reading culture across the country and working to minimise piracy to its barest if not totally eradicate it.

On the reasons for embarking on such a noble venture, the Queen of Books, revealed, “ most Nigerian authors do not know that they can get support from the Literary Authors Cooperative with proper planning,” she continued, “I am passionate about publishing, books, marketing and people reading for development, growth or even for leisure. I am also committed to seeing Nigerian authors succeed across the global,” she intoned.

Ilusanmi had worked as a Literary Agent with Publishizer, an award-winning literary crowd-funding company in New York, USA. She previously served in the role of Nigeria Chapter President of  Association of Publishers for Special Sales, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Currently working as Assistant Editor, Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice , Stephen F. Austin University, Texas, USA.

She has over 12 books to her credit, among are “Comforting Arms,” and “Launch Money”, the author has been on different platforms and literary communities to speak about books, marketing strategies, reading culture and how authors can succeed in their writing.

At the 2019 edition of Connect Nigeria’s Writers’ Conference, Ilusanmi was a speaker and panelist. She spoke on “Successful Book Publishing and Marketing.” She was also on the panel of the Lagos Books and Art Festival (LABAF) 2023, where she shared her expertise on the topic “Winning With Book Publishing and Marketing.”

As a keynoter at the event organised by Booksellers Association of Nigeria on October 17, 2024, she spoke on: “Creative, Innovative and Aggressive Marketing Approaches For Selling More Books.” On November 16, 2024, she was also on the panel of the Writers Interactive Network Literary Festival 3 tagged, ArtsliveLagos, where she spoke on “Book PR for the 21st Century.”

Disclosing some of the things she has done through LITACO and the various organisations under her, she said, “we have supported over 100 Nigerian authors to go through training programmes in publishing and in the marketing of their books,” adding that LITACO has also introduced some authors to improve their writing skills through international online trainings and as well helped to build website for authors and organised mini-book launch for them.

With a master’s degree in publishing studies from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA, the Queen of Books is currently undergoing a doctoral programme in school psychology and health service, while working as Graduate Research Assistant at her alma mater. She is a fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).  She is a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Trinity Writers and Publishers Network and also a member, Board of Trustees – The Fodio Reading Foundation.

To celebrate Ilusanmi’s contributions in Nigeria’s literary community, FAMBI Group in December 2025, organised a yearly writing contest tagged, “Awele’s Heart Short Story Peace Competition” with a winning prize of N150,000 and also to publish the best entries in an anthology.

As a testament to her excellence and impactful works, Ilusanmi has been recognised and given different awards including, the Connect Nigeria Award (2019) in recognition of her support, and contribution to the Nigeria Literary Space; the African Writers Tribe Transformational Leader Award (2025); the Trinity Writers and Publishers Network Award for Excellence in Education; Rotary Club of Ikate, for her contributions to child literacy and youth development.

In 2025, she was given 100 Prudent Women Compendium and Laureate of Enterprise, Growth and Organisational leadership award. In May, 2026 she received International award as one of 100 reputable women of African Descent in Tanzania.

Further  demonstrating her commitment to educational advancement and literary development  Dr. Awele Ilusanmi,FANA, has awarded scholarships to two undergraduate members of Authors’ Hub, Oyelade Adeyemi Testimony and Celina Chinwemmeri Ikechukwu, providing annual support of ₦150,000 and ₦100,000 respectively to sustain their education.

In a related effort to promote reading culture and literary appreciation among youths the Literary Authors Cooperative (LITACO), under the leadership of Dr. Awele Ilusanmi, FANA, has launched its Literary Read-Aloud Project in Lagos secondary schools, beginning at Valuecrest International School, Shasha, with author Olumide Adekanmi and his book Archive of Scars.