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There's a special place in my heart for African publishers, and the work they do. Recently I came across The Small Publishers' Catalogue, 2013 which will be produced by the South African publishers Modjaji Books, who I showcased last year. This is an updated version of one which was produced in 2010.


The 2010 edition "was a first attempt at collating small or indie African publishers'. It had 43 publishers, which were mainly South African, sold and distributed 500 copies, and its online version has had over 4200 visits. But according to Colleen Higgs, publisher and founder of Modjaji, "it was rather limited and had enormous gaps in it". Based on that, this new edition "is designed to be more comprehensive".


On why we need this catalogue, Colleen Higgs says:



" ... Many people not even those in the book world, such as librarians, booksellers, larger publishers, and books page editors are not aware of the extent and fertility of this part of the book world ... The Small Publishers Catalogue is a way of letting more people know about the work of independent and small publishers in Africa. Unless the information is collated it is difficult to find contact details or to know who is involved and who is doing what and where.

 ... There are lots of publishers who do amazing work, getting out the stories and experiences and writings of people all over the continent which enable us to understand our worlds and ourselves differently. By putting all of these publishers onto the radar of all of those who are interested, you will assist in growing readership, and in funding these publishers in a sustainable way".
As someone who is a lover of African books and a big supporter of local publishing houses, I think this is a beautiful initiative and I absolutely love that Colleen Higgs and Modjaji are putting together a catalogue that showcases the diversity of the African publishing industry. I for one cannot wait for it to be released.

While the Indiegogo campaign is finished, if anyone is interested in learning more about, or supporting, this campaign, definitely check it out here and you can see the 2010 catalogue online edition here.
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Once in a while I like to showcase African publishers, and today I'm going to Nigeria. Parrésia is "interested in fiction of the highest quality by new authors from Africa that capture the contemporary African reality in all its nuance and detail". They are a new addition to Nigeria's publishing landscape, late 2011/early 2012 if I am not mistaken, and already they have published books that I have been wanting to read for a while now. You can find out more about Parrésia on their website and blog, but here are their wonderful novels.






If you are a lover of Nigerian writing, and are interested in reading some new books from there, Parrésia recently announced that, with the exception of Helon Habila's Oil on Water, their books are now available on Amazon (as paperbacks or e-books). Might be my New Year's gift to myself!!!!
10:26 No Comments
It's been a while since I showcased African publishers, but I have been lusting after the books published by this small publisher from South Africa for a while now, so thought I'd showcase Kwela Books. Formed in 1994, Kwela specialises in African writing - fiction and non-fiction. Their main aim is to "broaden the scope of Southern African literature, and to document stories that have not been told". While majority of their books are published in English, they also publish a number of leading Afrikaans authors. You can find out more about Kwela Books here, but here are some of the books they've published. 










I am loving the books they publish and the different genres. I have spent quite a while on their website, and while I've been dying to read books like Happiness is a four-letter word and Men of the South for the longest time, I've also added even more books from their website to my ever-growing wish list. For romance novel lovers out there, Kwela also has a romance imprint, Sapphire Press.

 
11:23 1 Comments
Another publishing gem. This time from South Africa - Modjaji Books. A bit about Modjaji Books from their website:

"Modjaji Books is an independent publishing company based in Cape Town, South Africa. Started by Colleen Higgs in 2007, we publish books by southern African women writers. Modjaji Books publishes novels, short stories, memoirs, biographies, poetry, essays, narrative non-fiction and relevant non-fiction by new, established and award-winning women writers with brave, exciting voices". 

While I love showcasing African publishers (and Modjaji does publish some wonderful books), this publisher has a special place in my heart because by being dedicated solely to publishing women's voices, particularly black women's voices, in southern Africa, it's adressing an inequality that exists. What's there not to love? Here's a look at some of the wonderful titles they publish (I have been dying to read "Bom Boy" for the longest time).  For more on Modjaji Books, check out their website and facebook page. 
 



 
 
08:05 No Comments
Sometimes you just want something light, simple, and easy to read. That's where chick lit comes in. So I began to wonder, what's the chick lit scene like in Africa? In my search I stumbled on Nollybooks.  

Nollybooks is a series of South African chick lit titles aimed at young (16-24) African women to "reflect the lives and aspirations of the people who will read them". Nollybooks doesn't just stop at bringing chick lit to a young (South) African audience, they also work to ensure that their books are affordable. Costs of books can sometimes be a disincentive. There are many times I've put a book down, as much as I wanted it, just because of the price. So it's great that they are making books affordable for young readers. I also read here that they are published in a smaller format to make it easier to read on public transport and also "fit snugly into any handbag". I love the thought that has gone into this entire series, and only wonder if it's available for non-South African readers. For more on Nollybooks, check out their website and facebook page.


 

While on the topic of chick lit, check out Zukiswa Wanner's second novel Behind Every Successful Man.


Nobantu has everything a girl could dream of: a brilliant businessman for a husband, two cheeky but adorable children, and two of the best friends a girl could ask for. And yet, on Nobantu's thirty-fifth birthday, surrounded by glitz, glamour and fame, she realises something important. What has happened to her ambitions? Her career? What has happened to Nobantu? A funky, witty tale of a mother turned entrepreneur - to the great exasperation of Andile, her husband.
13:55 5 Comments
On one of my many searches (I am constantly searching it seems) I came across Saraba. They aren't new. In fact, I am pretty late in finding out about Saraba, but honestly, there's nothing more fun than finding something that is new to you. Finding Saraba has been a joy. I am just going to confess - I've spent hours on their website, reading their past issues and other wonderful delights. A bit about Saraba from their website:
Saraba is an imprint of Iroko Publishing whose goal is to create unending voices by encouraging young, previously unheard writers to publish their works, assist emerging writers (i.e. those who have been little or not at all, whose talent are recognisable and whose works are qualitative) in establishing their voices by creating a platform for their writing to be showcased. Through an actualisation of these purposes, Saraba would ensure that there is no generational gap, that succeeding generations of writers in Africa have unending voices. It was also established to create a link between established writers and emerging writers through mentorship opportunities and other related mediums. Finally, to celebrate literature and its undying nature by showcasing it in the most contemporary ways. 
Saraba Magazine is published four times a year, and I love, love, love that each issue is based around themes. Past issues have been on Music, Food and Fashion to name a few. Their current issue is on Sex. Aren't the covers so beautiful? And the content - divine! Definitely check them out here and browse and download previous issues here. Enjoy!



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About me

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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