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Monday – 10th April 2017

Stephen King’s The Shining wins Colorado

I’m from Colorado… and it’s hard to dispute that King’s The Shining is the most famous book set in that state. No …

Call for Submissions for the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award

If you are an aspiring author and want the chance to get published, then this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.

Friday – 7th April 2017

‘If a story moves you, act on it’ – watch Sisonke Msimang’s TED Talk

Jonathan Ball Publishers recently won a fierce bidding battle for Sisonke Msimang’s memoir and first book, Always Another Country.

Poetry in Commotion

A novel podcast about books and the people who write. The latest issue features author-journalist-reviewer-blogger-poet Karin Schimke, winner of the prestigious Ingrid Jonker Prize.

Thursday – 6th April 2017

Migrations: New Short Fiction From Africa

Short Story Day Africa’s 4th anthology of the best writing on the continent launches in Cape Town at the Book Lounge on Monday 10 April. Please come along and support this incredible project.

Don’t miss the blog tour celebrating Gail Schimmel’s gripping novel The Park

Let these brilliant bloggers guide you through the book’s themes. We hope you’ll join the conversation (use #TheParkBlogTour) and let us know …

‘The impact of Black Consciousness needs to be harnessed again’ – excerpt from Mamphela Ramphele’s Dreams, Betrayal and Hope

In Dreams, Betrayal and Hope, a searing critique of what’s gone wrong in the public and private sectors, Mamphela Ramphele turns to the tenets of black consciousness and argues for an ‘emotional settlement’ to heal the trauma of colonialism and apartheid that still ravages both black and white communities.

Make Sherry Johnson’s damn fine cherry pie

Ever dream of sampling Twin Peaks’ culinary centrepiece? Well, now you can make it yourself.

Rachel Dolezal is coming to South Africa

Rachel Dolezal, who is currently on a book tour, is coming to South Africa for a dialogue on race.

Wednesday – 5th April 2017

Interview with Nadia Davids

Africa is a Country talks to Nadia Davids about her plays, novel, writing and life in Cape Town. Nice piece.

Forbes Africa’s feature on SA comics, on shelves now

Forbes Africa has a major feature on SA comics, including Lauren Beukes’ and Dale Halvorsen’s Survivor’s Club. Check it!

Shortlists announced for 2017 Nommo Awards for Speculative Fiction by Africans

The shortlists for the Nommo Awards for Speculative Fiction by Africans have been announced, with Nick Wood, Tade Thompson, A Igoni Barrett, …

Richard Poplak snacks on biscuits at the Old Reserve Bank

Biscuits as “the sacramental bread of austerity” is worth the click alone. Poplak’s at his best when he’s on the edge of …

“Since everything was suddening into a hurricane” – new story by Binyavanga Wainaina

There’s a new piece from the incredible Binyavanga Wainaina in the latest issue of Granta.

The Baileys Women’s Prize Shortlist: ‘A Wonderful Liberation’

‘The constraint is a liberation,’ says film producer Tessa Ross, whose leadership of the Baileys judges for 2017 is honoring women fiction writers from around the world.

2017 Hugo Award finalists announced

The finalists for the 2017 Hugo Awards have been announced.

Is travel writing dead? Thoughts from Geoff Dyer, Colin Thubron and others

Granta’s latest issue includes some fifteen reflections on the question of whether travel writing still has relevance.

Are indexers the “unsung heroes” of publishing?

Sam Leith considers the importance of indexers in a Google age. The best indexes, he writes, “are works of art”.

“Visionary” Wolf Erlbruch wins prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

With his focus on “darker” subject matter, Wolf Erlbruch is an interesting choice for this year’s Astrid Lindgren memorial award.

Tuesday – 4th April 2017

Diane Awerbuck shortlisted for 2017 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

South African author Diane Awerbuck has been shortlisted for the 2017 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The shortlist includes 21 from stories, chosen …