This person reached out to me via email about the possibility of showcasing my book, The Blueprint on her platform. I agreed at first but when the fee thing came up, I knew I'd wasted my time conversing with her.
Below is the log, affirming the conversation between us:
From: Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com>
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Subject: Would you be open to featuring your book at our June 15 reader event
To: Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com>
Smh
u
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 8:19 AM Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm sorry this spot will be passed out to another author
Thanks so much for your time
Looking forward to working with you in the future
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 8:17 AM Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:You have every right to voice that out. Other literary facilitators had previously mentioned until they realistically find out my current financial situation.u--
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 8:15 AM Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:That sounds quite weird and strange to hear from a great author like you
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 8:13 AM Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:I can't afford it at all monetarily On Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 8:03 AM Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:--What's your budget?--u
Kindly let me know your budget at least i can or might secure your spot in our next upcoming event and inform the club
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:I am living off friends. I can't currently afford the fee. Already, I engulfed in debts.u--
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 7:58 AM Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:May I ask how much you're willing to contribute to the readers coffee or your budget at the moment cos other authors have completed their payments and secured their spots already and there are only 3 spots leftOn Tue, Jun 09, 2026 at 7:25 AM, Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:I don't have the money but I'm opened to such an offer
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:I'm sorry for that, that's my last help in consideration, as we have many authors in queue already and we have just 3 spot left, if you can contribute for the coffee I'm gonna feature your placement in the upcoming event,Thanks for your timeWhenever you're--u
On Tue, Jun 09, 2026 at 6:58 AM, Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:I currently don't have the means as I'm unemployed and barely eking a living u
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 6:57 AM Tamyka Jones<tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:We have different payment methods, and luckily we have Nigerian account too, but due to your budget, and our readers choose your book themselves which means how much they are pleasing to have your book featured, if you can support with Coffee for the caffeinated readers, I'm gonna have your spot secured for our June event which is on MondayKindly share with me how much you can afford at the moment, I cam at least consider and explain as well as convince the readers about itI await your positive response,WarmlyTamyka
On Tue, Jun 09, 2026 at 6:52 AM, tamykajoness@gmail.com wrote:That's cool, then, we have Nigerian readers here too, and that's more pleasing, our readers loves Africa authors, professor WoleOn Mon, Jun 08, 2026 at 9:00 PM, Chimezie Ihekuna<mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:I don't have the money to pay
I'm a currently unemployed Nigerian
On Monday, June 8, 2026, Tamyka Jones
<tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Chimezie,Thank you for your message and for taking the time to share the depth behind The Blueprint. Your journey and persistence since 2006 really stand out, especially the way you’ve stayed committed through years of rejections and evolution as a writer. That kind of long-form dedication is exactly what makes a book resonate in a reader-led space like ours.What we do inside the Readers’ Club is simple but intentional we don’t approach books like marketers or surface readers. We operate more like a focused reading collective: people who read from cover to cover, engage deeply with the material, and respond honestly the way a caffeine-fueled discussion group would (sometimes intense, sometimes funny, but always real).For our upcoming June Reading Challenge (Readathon), selected books are placed into an active reader cycle where participants read, discuss, and vote on standout works. Based on engagement, authors may receive reader feedback and reviews shared across platforms such as Goodreads where applicable, alongside structured reader commentary from the group.At the end of the cycle, we also recognize standout authors through a digital award system based on reader voting this is simply our way of acknowledging writers whose work genuinely connects with the community. It also helps keep the entire experience interactive and meaningful for both readers and authors.Participation is supported through a one-time registration contribution, which covers your inclusion in the reading cycle, placement in the challenge, and access to the engagement and visibility structure built around it.We also include a live Q&A Zoom session after the reading cycle, where selected authors connect directly with readers for discussion, reflection, and deeper questions about their work.If this sounds aligned with your goals, I can send over the registration form and reserve your spot for the June Readathon spotlight.Would you be open to joining the June cycle and taking part in the post-reading Q&A session with the readers?--u
On Mon, Jun 8, 2026 at 8:45 PM Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:Short Message about The Blueprint The Blueprint tells a story of a possible creation story, mirroring the faith-based biblical belief and communicating in mythical and esoteric terms to capture the subconscious mind of the reader: seat of discernment.Inspiration There has always been a desire to see the world from a peculiar standpoint. The bible, under whose dictates added to my formative years, was the roadmap, engendering inquiry Into the origin of creation. Hence, The Blueprint concept.Writing Journey Starting off February 6, 2006, I had to ensure several rejections from publishers and literary agents. It was not until 2015 my first book, "Maya Initiate 39: The Long Walk To Destiny" came out in print! Subsequent publications came forth. As a matter of fact, one of my publications, One Man's Deep Words, is currently being worked on as a movie project (post-production phase, presently). I have learnt in my two-decade literary journey that discouragement is a part of success!Vision The book is aimed at inspiring, educating and entertaining readers in the light of positivity.--
On Monday, June 8, 2026, Chimezie Ihekuna <mrbenisreal@googlemail.com> wrote:I am opened to it--u
Though I don't have the money
Let me have the Q and A
On Monday, June 8, 2026, Tamyka Jones <tamykajoness@gmail.com> wrote:Hello Chimezie,I hope you’re doing well.I wanted to reach out because The Blueprint: The Divine Plan, The Elemental Fall, and the War for Man's Soul immediately stood out to our reading group during our recent selection discussions. The book’s ambitious blend of Christian fiction, spiritual themes, and imaginative storytelling created a compelling reading experience that genuinely resonated with our readers.Within our community at Brixton Life Drawing, the book sparked thoughtful conversations around faith, spiritual warfare, purpose, human nature, and the broader struggle between good and evil as reflected in both personal and universal contexts. Readers were especially drawn to the depth of its themes, the symbolic narrative structure, and the way it encourages reflection on divine purpose and moral responsibility.We would genuinely love to feature The Blueprint during our upcoming June 15 reader event, where selected books are highlighted, discussed, and reviewed collectively by our reading community.The event provides authors with an opportunity to connect with active readers, gain meaningful visibility, and receive thoughtful feedback and reflections from participants. Our readers enjoy engaging deeply with faith-based fiction that blends storytelling with spiritual insight, and sharing their perspectives in an open and interactive environment.If you would be open to it, we would also be delighted to include a short message or brief Q&A from you for attendees. Our readers always appreciate hearing directly from authors about their inspiration, writing journey, and the vision behind their work.Thank you for your time, and I would love to hear your thoughts whenever convenient.Warm regards,Tamyka Jones--
| | Tamyka Jonesliterary analystEditorial and research | Brixton Life Drawing
| tamykajoness@gmail.com
| https://www.meetup.com/brixtonlifedrawing/?eventOrigin=find_page
| London, United Kingdom
--
u
| | Tamyka Jonesliterary analystEditorial and research | Brixton Life Drawing
| tamykajoness@gmail.com
| https://www.meetup.com/brixtonlifedrawing/?eventOrigin=find_page
| London, United Kingdom
| | Tamyka Jonesliterary analystEditorial and research | Brixton Life Drawing
| tamykajoness@gmail.com
| https://www.meetup.com/brixtonlifedrawing/?eventOrigin=find_page
| London, United Kingdom
| | Tamyka Jonesliterary analystEditorial and research | Brixton Life Drawing
| tamykajoness@gmail.com
| https://www.meetup.com/brixtonlifedrawing/?eventOrigin=find_page
| London, United Kingdom
| | Tamyka Jonesliterary analystEditorial and research | Brixton Life Drawing
| tamykajoness@gmail.com
| https://www.meetup.com/brixtonlifedrawing/?eventOrigin=find_page
| London, United Kingdom
I would have been caught up in this web if I had the money. Anyway, thanks to Victoria Strauss and the rest of the team for establishing the awareness, years ago, availing me the opportunity to read through their messages at no cost.