Silkspace

Silkspace is where African literature comes alive. It’s more than an eBook store—it’s a dynamic space where authors and readers connect through books, live streams, and real-time conversation.

As the Lead Fullstack Engineer on this project, I was tasked with building a platform that supports the entire author-reader journey: from uploading and selling books, to hosting live interactive sessions, and fostering community through chat.

The heart of Silkspace is its dual identity: a seamless digital bookstore paired with a live engagement platform. Authors can upload their work, set pricing, and launch live video sessions directly to their readers. Readers can browse samples, purchase securely, and access their full library in a personal digital shelf—then join live streams to ask questions, listen to readings, and connect in real time.

On the technical side, I architected a robust, real-time system using Next.js, LiveKit, and Node.js. The platform handles concurrent livestreams, synchronized chat, and secure in-session interactions without lag. I implemented a reliable payment gateway that supports mobile money, card payments, and bank transfers—critical for accessibility across Africa.

One of the key features I engineered was the integrated “Read & Watch” experience. Users can switch between reading a book and joining the author’s ongoing livestream within the same view, with chat staying active throughout. This required delicate synchronization and state management to keep the experience fluid and engaging.

Behind the scenes, I built an admin dashboard for authors to track sales, view stream analytics, and manage their content—all designed with a clean, intuitive UI. The backend uses PostgreSQL for transaction integrity and Redis for caching live data, ensuring that even during high-traffic streams, the platform remains responsive.

Silkspace isn’t just a platform; it’s a growing community. With over 50 books uploaded, 200+ hours of live content streamed, and more than 200 active readers, we’ve created a digital home for African storytelling that’s interactive, inclusive, and inspiring.

This project showcases my ability to blend e-commerce, real-time communication, and media streaming into a single cohesive product—a perfect example of how modern fullstack engineering can build communities, not just applications.