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The Mantle, an online forum 'for the next generation of critics and leaders to be heard' is looking for help to publish Gambit: Newer African Writing. Said to be the first book of its kind, this is a unique collection of nine interviews and original short stories by writers from across Africa. Gambit stands out from other anthologies of African literature, such as African Love Stories edited by Ama Ata Aidoo and The Granta Book of the African Short Story edited by Helon Habila becuase it not only focuses on young writers, but also features interviews.

Here's what the editors of Gambit - Mantle contributor and novelist Emmanuel Iduma and The Mantle’s editor-in-chief Shaun Randol - had to say about it on their Indiegogo page:

"The stories in Gambit reflect the nuances that arise from living in a post-postcolonial Africa, where stereotypes are crumbling and writers are willing to tackle themes that are more social than political. Furthermore, unlike other anthologies, Gambit's writers are mostly based in their home countries, putting them closer to the social themes they lyrically confront.

Why include the interviews? Because we want to inform and inspire. Stories are not written in a vacuum: they are drafted out of experience by real people living complicated lives. We hope that the interviews in this volume not only shed light on the experiences and inspirations of the authors, but also encourage young writers to take up the pen and share their stories.

Reading literature from around the world helps to bridge cultural divides and increase understanding and appreciation of other cultures and experiences. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, it is crucial that we build respect and awareness of the lives and lands with which we are ever-more connected. Gambit is one project toward this effort".

As a young reader, I am excited at the prospect of an anthology which combines the different voices and experiences of young men and women from five different African countries into one volume. I think it's also great that the anthology aims to provide a space to introduce some emerging young writers to new and wider audiences.

The nine writers in the anthology are: Novuyo Rosa Tshuma (Zimbabwe); Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Nigeria); Donald Molosi (Botswana); Suzanne Ushie (Nigeria); Dango Mkandawire (Malawi); Ayobami Adebayo (Nigeria); Richard Ali (Nigeria); Abdul Adan (Somalia) and Dami Ajayi (Nigeria). A few of their works are showcased below.


     

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, head over to their Indiegogo page, which is raising funds until November 25th 2013.

13:50 1 Comments
Back in April I wrote that Nnedi Okorafor, author of Zahrah the Windseeker, Who Fears Death and Akata Witch next novel Lagoon would be published March 2014 - although now I think it might be next April. Well, a few days ago Nnedi Okorafor shared the gorgeousness that is the book cover on her blog - Nnedi's Wahala Zone. 

Designed by award-winning South African illustrator and designer, Joey Hi-Fi, this cover is absolutely gorgeous. Lagos above and all the life and activity under the sea, how tentacles have been used in the outline of LAGOON and the creatures everywhere and in between the title. I want to know what's going on, what's going to happen, especially with that person at the bottom of the sea.The cover is both daunting and fascinating.  I love it!  

I fell head over heels for the UK cover of Zoo City (black and white), as well as the UK, US, SA and international edition of Moxyland which Joey Hi-Fi did. Then I  saw Jungle Jim 16, the South African Sci-Fi edition. Earlier this year were the SA covers of The Shining Girls ... and now this!!! This judger of book covers is extremely happy. While we wait for Lagoon, hope you enjoy this cover as much as I do. Then when you're done, get lost in Joey Hi-Fi's amazing work here. 

08:20 2 Comments
Happy to announce that the 2013 Golden Baobab Shortlist has been ... announced. The judges - Bernardine Evaristo, Esi-Sutherland-Addy, Nonikiwe Mashologu, Zetta Elliott, Annette Hansen and Osayimwense Osa - must have had a tough time turning the 25-strong longlist to the 8 shortlisted stories. The shortlisted authors come from five different countries (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) and include thirteen year old Kanengo Rebecca Diallo from Tanzania story Pieces of Africa for the Rising Writers Prize. The winners will be announced November 13th. Congratulations to all shortlisted authors. 

Past Picture Book (for ages 8-11) Prize winners include Lauri Kubuitsile in 2009 with Lorato and her Wire Car and Edyth Bulbring in 2011 with Sour Worms, while in the Early Chapter Book category (for ages 12-15) Ivor Hartmann won in 2009 with his story Mr Goop. All past winners can be found here.



Here's the press release via Golden Baobab. Also check out this article by Deborah Ahenkora, co-founder and Executive Director of Golden Baobab on Huffington Post asking 'Where Are the Stories for African Children?'.


Golden Baobab Prizes Shortlist 2013
Accra,Ghana, November 1, 2013: 180 stories were submitted to this year’s Golden Baobab Prizes. Of these, 25 made it onto the longlist and 8 to the shortlist. The 8 shortlisted stories are:
The Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books
The Princess with a Golden Voice - Phillip Begho (Nigeria)
The Little Hippo - Liza Esterhuyse (South Africa)
Grandma Mimo's Breakfast - Carol Gachiengo (Kenya)

The Golden Baobab Prize for Early Chapter Books
Seven – Sabina Mutangadura (Zimbabwe)
Rhino – Richard Street (South Africa)
What’s going on at 179 Jabulani Street? – Karen Hurt (South Africa)

The Golden Baobab Prize for Rising Writers
The Little Secret – Fego Martins Ahia (Nigeria)
Pieces of Africa – Kanengo Rebecca Diallo (Tanzania)

Chair of judges for the Picture Book Prize, Zetta Elliott, whose first picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee and Low Books’ New Voices Contest, commented on the shortlist saying, "I'm very impressed with the range and originality of the stories. This year's shortlist suggests that there are plenty of emerging authors who take seriously the task of nourishing the imagination of African children. These stories have magic, mystery, and important lessons about the value of community. They confirm what we already know: Africa's literary landscape is rich and diverse!"

The Golden Baobab Prizes, now in its fifth year, were set up to find the very best writers of African children’s literature. This year’s shortlist suggests that the judges; Bernardine Evaristo, Esi-Sutherland-Addy, Nonikiwe Mashologu, Zetta Elliott, Annette Hansen and Osayimwense Osa, all have varying ideas about what constitutes good fiction for children. This has ensured a very diverse 2013 shortlist.

Osayimwense Osa, founding author of the Journal of African Children’s and Youth Literature (JACYL), is a firm believer in the power of literature. He says, “It transform the world from confusion and violence to peace is immense and so it is wise to get children reading in their formative years. They must have access to literature which is in touch with social functions, individual lives, and world realities and some of the stories in the shortlist do just that.”

The shortlist comes out after over 8 weeks of the rigorous Golden Baobab Prizes evaluation process. It is evident that African writers are passionate about creating beautiful stories to ignite the imaginations of African children everywhere. The winners of the 2013 prizes will be announced on 13 November.
10:34 No Comments
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Founded in 2011, bookshy represents two things: the young me who was so shy I escaped through books, and the older me whose shelf is always one book shy of being full.

bookshy is a space where I celebrate, promote and recognise contemporary African literature - although sometimes I go back in time to commemorate the greats. It is about the books I love, the books I have read and the books that I am dying to read.

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