Fiction
Monday – 24th July 2017
Top tips on how to forge a career in writing from bestselling author Jane Green
Jane Green, author of Falling, Saving Grace and most recently The Sunshine Sisters, shares her tips for writers.
Call for writing celebrating Buchi Emecheta for a special issue of Pambazuka News
Pambazuka News is calling for articles for a special issue on the legacy of eminent Nigerian-born writer Buchi Emecheta.
Friday – 21st July 2017
The buzz is incredible around Tomi Adeyemi’s West African fantasy debut Children of Blood and Bone
Back in April, Tomi Adeyemi, a 23-year-old Harvard University graduate one year out of university, landed one of the biggest Young Adult debut novel publishing deals ever.
King Kong: Our Knot of Time and Music – don’t miss the launch of this personal memoir of South Africa’s legendary musical
King Kong was not just South Africa’s first ever musical, but one that grew out of collaboration between black people and white, and showcased an all-black cast.
A Gap in the Hedge, the powerful new novel from Johan Vlok Louw, author of Karoo Dusk
Penguin Random House South Africa is proud to present A Gap in the Hedge, the latest novel from Johan Vlok Louw.
Thursday – 20th July 2017
African perspectives on gender, social justice and sexuality: Africa in Dialogue interviews the Gerald Kraak Award shortlist
Africa in Dialogue has published an online collection of interviews with all the writers and artists shortlisted for the 2016 Gerald Kraak Award.
Jonathan Jansen to launch book writing initiative for budding black writers
Professor Jonathan Jansen has announced plans for a series of book-writing workshops in ‘major townships’ across South Africa.
Wednesday – 19th July 2017
Bank of England unveils new £10 note to commemorate 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death
‘Austen’s novels have a universal appeal and speak as powerfully today as they did when they were first published.’
‘What is the acceptable amount of blood for good literature?’ Arundhati Roy’s new novel The Ministry of Utmost Happiness reviewed
In the latest issue of the newly launched Johannesburg Review of Books, Panashe Chigumadzi reviews Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness.
How to use The Reading List
The Reading List is a new place to find and share the best in books. Hooray!
Good mothers and shocking secrets: Gail Schimmel chats about her novel The Park
Gail Schimmel’s latest novel, The Park, is the story of three women, new mothers, who become close friends.
Read an excerpt from Lesley Pearse’s new novel The Woman in the Wood
Read an extract from the enthralling new novel from Lesley Pearse, the 10-million-copy, no. 1 bestselling author – now available online and at bookstores countrywide!
Tuesday – 18th July 2017
First look at Angela Makholwa’s new book The Blessed Girl
Pan Macmillan recently revealed the cover for Angela Makholwa’s new novel, The Blessed Girl, and now we can reveal a little of what the book will be about!
2017 Writivism Prize shortlists announced – with stories from South Africa, Cameroon, Malawi and Nigeria
The shortlists for the 2017 Writivism Short Story Prize and the Koffi Addo Prize for Creative Non-fiction have been announced!
Monday – 17th July 2017
Watch MR Carey read Chapter 1 of The Girl With All the Gifts prequel The Boy on the Bridge
MR Carey has shared an excerpt from his new book The Boy on the Bridge, the prequel to his phenomenal word-of-mouth bestseller The Girl With All the Gifts.
Nathan Hill will be at Open Book this year – find out more about his debut hit The Nix
The Open Book Festival will take place in Cape Town from 6 to 10 September this year, featuring a number of exciting international authors including Nathan Hill!
Friday – 14th July 2017
Etisalat Prize for Literature call for entries and judging panel announced
The new judging panel for the Pan-African Etisalat Prize for Literature has been announced.
Listen to an excerpt from Two Nights, the new standalone thriller from Kathy Reichs
Number one New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs steps beyond her classic Temperance Brennan series in a new standalone thriller, featuring a smart, tough, talented heroine whose thirst for justice stems from her own dark past.
Margie Orford steps down from PEN South Africa presidency, welcomes Nadia Davids to the role
Margie Orford is standing down from the presidency of PEN South Africa, with Nadia Davids set to take over.
Thursday – 13th July 2017
South African youngsters beat world’s best at ‘the Olympics of reading’
A team of four South African boys has won the World Final of the global Kids Lit Quiz in Toronto, Canada – an event widely known as ‘the Olympics of reading’.