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In 2015, MaThoko's Books - an imprint that publishes queer literature in Africa - had a call for submissions for the follow-up on its first anthology, the Lambda Literary award winning Queer Africa: New and Collected Fiction. Well, here's the cover for Queer Africa 2, and isn't it gorgeous!!!! This is one of those less words, and more images post ... purely because my words won't do it any justice. 




The cover was designed by Danielle Clough - photographer-designer-vj-embroider - who explained her process for creating the cover, and while she mentions that 'its difficult to answer' her design process as 'every piece varies from materials purpose', she writes about the role of portraits and photography for the cover design


Keeping in line with the original I have been shooting and embroidering portraits. So for this project, photography has been a strong tool in the process. 
In an article on Collosal, which focuses on Clough's work it was mentioned that the editors of Queer Africa 2, Makhosazana Xaba and Karen Martin,


... were drawn to Clough's work for the publication because of the conceptual linkage of her layered yarn to the personal narratives told in the book, which Zaba explained 'adds meaning and speaks to the zigzagging nature of our lives'.

I love the textures, the vibrant colours and how detailed the faces are. Here's the full piece.


©Danielle Clough. Source: danielleclough.com

Some of the portraits that were embroidered for the cover.

©Danielle Clough. Source: danielleclough.com

And a few of the individual pieces.


©Danielle Clough. Source: danielleclough.com

©Danielle Clough. Source: danielleclough.com

©Danielle Clough. Source: danielleclough.com

Love it!!! Definitely check out Danielle Clough's website and her Instagram for the rest of her amazing work. If I'm not mistaken, Queer Africa 2 was meant to be published earlier this year (but would need to be double check). 
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Queer Africa is a collection of charged, tangled, tender, unapologetic, funny, bruising and brilliant stories about the many ways in which we love each other on the continent. The collection includes exquisitely written work by some of the great African writers of this century - K. Sello Duiker, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Beatrice Lamwaka and Richard de Nooy - as well as new voices that map out a haunting, intricate, complex Africa. These unafraid stories of intimacy, sweat, betrayal and restless confidences, we accompany characters into cafes, tattoo salons, the barest of bedrooms, coldly gleaming spaces into which the rich withdraw, unlit streets, and their own deepest interiors. In these unafraid stories of intimacy, sweat, betrayal and restless confidences, we accompany characters into cafes, tattoo salons, the barest of bedroom, the coldly glinting spaces into which the rich withdraw, unlit street and their own deepest interiors. We learn much in these gloriously achieved stories about love and sex, but perhaps more about why we hurt and need one another.
                                                 - Synopsis from Modjaji Books Blog

Can I just say that this collection sounds fascinating. Queer Africa was published in May by Modjaji Books. For other queer literature from Africa check out my previous posts here, here and here as well as an article I wrote a while back here.
21:10 No Comments
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.
14:48 No 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. 
 



 
 
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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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