Founder of Brenda’s Books Limited and a registered architect, Brenda Unu, has lamented the impact of high cost of printing on publishers in Nigeria
She called for government’s intervention in terms of import duty waivers to protect the industry.
Unu also urged women who desire to build legacy and influence to do so through the power of authorship.
Brenda’s Books Limited, a one-stop shop for writing, publishing, and author branding, was established to support women who are ready to share their message with the world and make lasting impact.
According to her, the company provides coaching, publishing services, and tools to help women write their stories and position themselves as impactful authors.
Speaking with The Guardian on the sidelines of the Bi-monthly Small and Medium Scale Businesses PR Tea Conference organised by Hustle Africa in Ikeja, Lagos, Unu expressed concern over the rising cost of publishing, describing it as a major barrier for new and aspiring authors.
To address this, she revealed that Brenda’s Books Limited is planning to set up a publishing facility to help manage costs and make publishing more accessible.
Outlining the scope of the business, she said:
“We run a writing academy where we teach people how to write and brand themselves as authors. Once your manuscript is complete, we help you publish and promote it. We also collaborate with public relations firms to amplify our authors’ voices. What really sets us apart is our focus on legacy.”
Unu emphasised that the company is particularly interested in working with women who have meaningful stories and want to leave something behind that lives beyond them.
She said: “We support them through our courses and coaching programmes to create books that will live after them,
“We are also passionate about clean, wholesome content. There’s too much negative materials out there. Instead of complaining, we want to be part of the solution—creating books our children can read and be proud of.”
She added, “If you’re a fashion designer, for instance, you could write a children’s story featuring a protagonist who inspires kids to take an interest in fashion. Everyone has experiences worth sharing. Through writing, we can create stories that reflect our values and shape the next generation.”
Sharing her personal journey into publishing, Unu said her passion for empowering women led her to coaching writing.
“At almost 40, I had a moment of deep dissatisfaction. Everything looked fine on the outside, but something was missing. Through coaching, I found writing—and it changed my life. Writing has taken me to places even architecture hasn’t. It’s a gift, but it’s also a skill anyone can learn.”
She pointed out that many women, especially between the ages of 35 and 40, begin to question their purpose once their children become more independent.
“That’s where Coach Brenda— as I am fondly called—comes in,
“Through coaching, I help women discover their core message, crystallise it, and turn it into something powerful they can share with the world. That’s what Brenda’s Books is all about. We’re not just publishing books—we’re birthing legacies.”
On the challenges of running the business, Unu noted that finding committed team members with the right work ethic has been tough.
“Some people want to pass off mediocrity as excellence, but that doesn’t fly here. I put my mark of excellence on everything I do.
“I’m constantly teaching my children and team members that excellence is not optional. We serve an excellent God, and we must reflect that in all we do,” she said.
Looking ahead, Unu envisions Brenda’s Books Limited becoming a powerhouse in the publishing and media space.
“I see us becoming a major force.
“I currently run talk shows on YouTube, but I’m dreaming bigger. I’d love to start a TV network that gives women a platform to share their God-given messages with the world,” she added.
