The Opportunity
In 2022, Macmillan Education—a division of the global publishing house Springer Nature—ceased publication of a cherished series of children’s books authored by the late Jill Inyundo. A distinguished Kenyan educationalist and author, Jill shaped minds across primary, secondary, and tertiary education. And as the mother of The Sixth D’s Founder, her literary legacy holds personal significance. Recognizing the generational impact these books had on early childhood literacy across Kenya, in 2023 The Sixth D initiated efforts to re-publish the series and reintroduce Jill Inyundo’s visionary storytelling to young readers.
My Role
To pave the way for the ethical and legal reproduction of these works, The Sixth D undertook the following steps:
Copyright reversion - partnered with Macmillan Education’s Licensing & Business Development team to formally withdraw copyright of Jill Inyundo’s titles and, in the year 2025, revert ownership to The Sixth D Founder, in their capacity as beneficiary of the author’s estate. The titles included:
The Hornet’s Nest
Lake of Our Dreams
Follow That Foot Print
The Lily Pool
Honey Brown and the Bees
Image & illustration rights - liaised with Springer Nature to assess copyright holders of original illustrations, images, and photographs, initiating formal inquiries to secure permissions for reuse in newly formatted editions.
Negotiated contractual agreement with Moran Publishers (E.A.) Limited—a leading Kenyan publishing house—allowing for local, pan-African, and international distribution via schools, bookstores and online platforms.
Results
The Sixth D’s strategic approach has yielded the following outcomes to date:
Formal transfer of rights - full copyright of all book titles successfully restored to the Founder of The Sixth D.
Publishing partnership with Moran Publishers (E.A.) Limited secured.
Ethical stewardship of legacy - all posthumous publishing efforts guided by sensitivity and respect for author’s wishes, with alignment among stakeholders across legal, editorial, and estate considerations secured.
Successful relaunch of The Hornet’s Nest - re-published as part of Moran’s new “Moran Pearls” series, with book scheduled to be available for purchase in September 2025 and poised to reconnect with new generations of readers.
Marketing & audience engagement - collaborating with Moran Publishers to develop and execute a comprehensive marketing campaign targeting:
Industry professionals: booksellers, distributors, librarians, educators
Media channels: journalists, reviewers, bloggers, influencers
Consumers: schools, students, families
Internal stakeholders: editorial, finance, and sales teams at Moran
Strategic messaging for legacy literature - positioning The Hornet’s Nest as part of a curated literary collection, emphasizing quality, cultural relevance, and timeless storytelling. Supporting pre-launch activities in the run up to, during and after Moran Publishers’ August 2025 Sales Conference and forthcoming showcases at the Nairobi International Book Fair in September 2025, with extended reach through educational expos, teacher workshops, digital/web/social media platforms, and point-of-sale campaigns.
This coming September 2025 The Hornet’s Nest by Jill Inyundo will be available on the Moran Publishers (E.A.) Limited website alongside all titles in the Moran Pearls Series (click image of the book’s cover next to this text). To pre-order, email info@moranpublishers.co.ke or call +254 727 429 744, +254 723 971 057, +254 735 439 613, or +254 727 433 703. Additional titles by Jill Inyundo to follow upon release.
