Mount Kigali University to host a groundbreaking author training workshop on Amazon Publishing Tools, designed to equip faculty, researchers, and students with practical skills in self-publishing. Scheduled for Tuesday, 9th September 2025 at the university’s Postgraduate Wing, the five-hour hands-on session will run from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and will focus on Amazon Author Central setup, Kindle manuscript formatting, and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) book uploads.
The initiative comes at a time when digital platforms such as Amazon KDP are reshaping the global publishing landscape, offering academics and creative writers unprecedented opportunities for visibility and reach. Yet, many aspiring authors continue to face challenges navigating these platforms.
“Our goal is to bridge the knowledge gap and empower our academic community to share their work with the world,” said Lucy Wangechi Muthee, the University Librarian spearheading the drive. “Publishing on Amazon is no longer an option; it is a necessity for researchers and writers who want to engage global audiences. This workshop is about giving them the confidence and the tools to do it right.”
The session will be led by Fiston Mudacumura, Founder of Mudacumura Publishing House Ltd. The workshop will walk participants through creating and managing an Amazon Author Profile, formatting manuscripts for Kindle compatibility, and mastering the step-by-step process of uploading works to KDP. It will also cover techniques for boosting book discoverability through strategic keyword selection and category placement.
For Mudacumura, the training highlights a crucial turning point in Rwanda’s academic and creative culture.
“Traditional publishing remains vital, but digital platforms have unlocked new doors for African voices,” he noted. “By equipping authors with these skills, the university is ensuring that Rwandan stories, research, and creativity find their rightful place on the global stage.”
The event is expected to attract creative writers and authors within the university community. Attendees are required to bring their laptops, passports, and a soft copy of the book or research paper of 72+ pages to benefit from the interactive, step-by-step format fully.
By the end of the session, participants will be empowered to independently publish and promote their books, an important step toward amplifying African scholarship and literature in the digital era.