Africa

Friday – 5th May 2017

Zakes Mda’s message for Africa Month

The theme for Africa Month this year is ‘The Year of OR Tambo: Building a Better Africa and a Better World’.

Thursday – 4th May 2017

Bookshy features 22 short story collections by African women writers

Bookshy has curated a list of short story collections by African women writers, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Helen Oyeyemi, Sofia Samatar, Bessie Head, Petina Gappah and Lauren Beukes.

Tuesday – 2nd May 2017

Clouds In The Wind

The captivating story of an ambitious young financial executive who, by force of circumstance, is drawn to a country embroiled in civil war.

Monday – 1st May 2017

Issue 1 of The Johannesburg Review of Books is out

We are delighted to present the first issue of The Johannesburg Review of Books—comprising almost twenty reviews, essays, articles, stories, poems, photographs and other items.

Thursday – 27th April 2017

Chinelo Okparanta, Dinaw Mengestu and Yaa Gyasi make Granta’s list of the best young American novelists

Granta has chosen its third list of the ‘Best of Young American Novelists’, including the Nigeria-born Chinelo Okparanta, Ethiopia-born Dinaw Mengestu and Ghana-born Yaa Gyasi.

The new book by Chigozie Obioma​ – author of The Fishermen – has been announced

The Bookseller reports that Little, Brown has acquired the new novel from Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma.

Wednesday – 26th April 2017

Help the African Speculative Fiction Society complete its list of all published African sci-fi/fantasy ever

The African Speculative Fiction Society has undertaken an ambitious project.

‘Poverty porn’ debate raging around Fiston Mwanza Mujila’s award-winning novel Tram 83

Have you heard about the heated conversation taking place about Congolese author Fiston Mwanza Mujila’s award-winning novel Tram 83? Brittle Paper has got you covered.

Tuesday – 25th April 2017

Alan Muller reviews Dan Wylie’s The Wisdom of Adders

This is a review of Dan Wylie’s recent post-apocalyptic speculative fiction novella. It was featured on Aerodrome on 25 April 2017.

African comic book writers to watch – including Loyiso Mkize and Lauren Beukes

The Arcade has compiled a list of must-read African comic books, including Nigeria’s Comic Republic, Loyiso Mkize’s Kwezi and Lauren Beukes’s All the Pretty Ponies.

Monday – 24th April 2017

Writers pay tribute to Kojo Laing: ‘Africa’s best novelist, by far’ – Binyavanga Wainaina

Ghanaian novelist and poet Kojo Laing passed away on Thursday, 20 April 2017 in Ghana, according to reports.

Musa Okwonga reviews Irenosen Okojie’s Speak Gigantular

Irenosen Okojie is a remarkable writer. I discovered this late last year, when her second book Speak Gigantular, a collection of extraordinary short stories – was submitted by Jacaranda Books for the Jhalak Prize, a literary award for writers from et

Friday – 21st April 2017

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Achille Mbembe elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected 228 new National and International Scholars, Artists, Philanthropists, and Business Leaders.

Thursday – 20th April 2017

Deadline for open submissions to Modjaji Books – 30th April 2017

You have 10 days left till the current window for submitting to Modjaji Books closes. Don’t miss out on your chance for submitting.

Writers! Apply for the Short Story Day Africa 2017 Flow workshop series

Short Story Day Africa in partnership with the Goethe-Institut invite submissions to attend a series of one day workshops in the following cities:

Read Namwali Serpell’s introduction to a new edition of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Devil on the Cross

The New York Review of Books has published apiece adapted from Namwali Serpell’s introduction to Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Devil on the Cross, just published in a new edition by Penguin Classics.

Thuli Madonsela: No Longer Whispering to Power

South Africa’s former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, has achieved in seven years what few accomplish in a lifetime. She has been praised and vilified in equal measures during her time in office, often putting her at centre stage.

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.

Wednesday – 5th April 2017

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, …

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 …