This newsletter is published every Wednesday.
1. Wasafiri is seeking Critical Articles and Essays in Contemporary Literature
Wasafiri is a peer–reviewed journal. We are seeking conceptually rigorous, substantially researched, accessibly presented articles and essays engaged with any genre of contemporary literature, from writers across disciplines. The magazine particularly welcomes articles that position new critical perspectives within one or more broader contexts.
Deadline: Unstated | Compensation: From £150
Guidelines:
Essays should be between 5000-8000 words
An initial decision on a manuscript within three months of submission, and a final decision within six months, allowing time for mutually-anonymous double peer review
You are encouraged to read previously published works to get an idea of presentation and style. See here, here or here.
The essay must be unpublished in any form, and must not have been accepted for publication elsewhere. If the work is accepted for publication elsewhere after submission to the prize, you must inform Wasafiri at your earliest convenience so it can be withdrawn from consideration.
All entries must comply with their submissions criteria and style sheet.
2. Call for Speculative Fiction Writers: Manufactured Ecosystems
Manufactured Ecosystems is an international project that explores the potential to forecast the future of climate adaptation. As part of their project, they are developing a future-based science fiction anthology, co-edited by Nebula award-winning author and scientist Premee Mohamed and sci-fi editor and writer, Heather Clitheroe.
Deadline: 1st April 2024. | Renumeration: $2,500 for each work of 4000 words
Things to note:
Over the summer of 2024, 6 writers will be recruited to work with scientists, artists, and futurists to learn about ecosystems services and biomimicry.
Writers will take part in two online workshops (tentatively June and August, 2024) and have access to experts throughout the summer as they work to produce original fiction (2500-6000 words) that will be published in an online and print anthology in early 2025.
To apply writers must submit: author statement: 250 words maximum, (one (1) page, size 12 font),
Résumé/CV (one (1) page, size 12 font),
And author portfolio: a writing sample (suggested length: 2,500 - 4,000 words)
Selected writers will identify one ecosystem service as their subject and will explore the technologies associated with achieving life-sustaining functions including:
1) Biodiversity: a diverse reservoir of strategies and information
2) Pollination: a distribution system for the purpose of plant reproduction
3) Cultural Services and Human Experience: the components of the human species derived from emersion in the natural world
4) Soil formation: the creation of new soil
5) Photosynthesis: the creation of sugars from sunlight
6) Climate regulation: the stabilising of climatic conditions
Click here to apply.
3. Sprinng’s Annual Poetry Contest
Sprinng seeks to empower diverse African writers, amplifying their voices, and celebrating their literature. For the 2024 edition of their poetry contest, in partnership with Poetry Column NND, they’re inviting submissions in the line with the prompt: Write a simple poem on any theme of your choice between 8-10 lines. The line count doesn't include the poem's title..
Deadline: 30th June 2024 | Prize: Total of N75,000
Guidelines:
Only Nigerian writers living in Nigeria are eligible for this contest. Only one submission per person is allowed.
Write a simple poem on any theme of your choice between 8-10 lines.
The line count doesn't include the poem's title.
Put a line space between the title and the poem - if the poem has a title.
Only one submission per writer is allowed.
The poem may be already published or unpublished.
Do not submit prose-poetry or poems without clear line breaks.
Do not go below or exceed the line limit provided - 8-10 lines.
4. RSG Afrikaans Radio Drama Writing Competition
This competition stands out for its provision of free resources, which equip contestants to refine their scripts before the initial submission. RSG is pleased to continue its collaboration with the ATKV in 2024 by offering free workshops in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Participants will have the privilege to attend and experience the finer details of a short radio drama recording.
Deadline: 30th June 2024. | Prize: Total of R115,000
Some guidelines:
The competition is open to any theme, and entries must be new and original dramas. No adaptations of existing material, stage plays, or published stories will be accepted.
All entries must be in Afrikaans and the full spectrum of Afrikaans varieties is permitted.
Each person may submit one entry, and the duration of the drama must be between 40 and 50 minutes, which corresponds to a maximum of 45 A4 pages typed according to competition specifications.
Each drama may include up to seven characters.
For more information and to apply, please visit here.
5. The 2024 Akachi Chukwuemeka Prize for Literature
Arts Lounge Magazine, in honour of late poet Akachi Chukwuemeka, is organzing this prize to be awarded to a single poem by an African writer, that raises awareness about mental health and at the same time demonstrates the transforming power of literature. Winning work will also echo the chances of survival from mental health issues.
Deadline: 20th April 2024. | Prize: N100,000
Submission guidelines:
The prize is open to Africans living in Africa and the diaspora.
Send a single poem of no more than 30 lines.
Poem should be well edited, single spaced and in New Times Roman.
The name of the poet should not appear on the document that has the poem.
Entry should be accompanied by a cover letter that has the name, nationality, location and biography of the poet.
Send entry to artsloungenyc@gmail.com with the subject: Akachi Chukwuemeka Prize
Questions and inquiries about the prize should be sent to the same email address.
All long-listed entries will be published by Arts Lounge, in a collection to be released on the theme of mental health, later this year.
6. Job: Remote Freelance Writers for The Business Year
The Business Year, is a global media group that has been providing first-hand insights into the world’s most dynamic markets for over a decade. They are looking for freelance writers to cover topics ranging from industry, energy, and mining to finance, real estate, and construction across Africa. They are building a list of freelance contributors, and intend to get in touch with applicants whose backgrounds align with our needs as and when we require new material.
Deadline: Unstated. | Renumeration: Unstated
Requirements:
Be proficient in English, both written and spoken
Have experience writing professionally OR have demonstrable ability to do so
Use Microsoft Office or equivalent to deliver clean texts
Have a keen eye for detail
Be punctual and happy to meet occasional tight deadlines
7. Submit to Brittle Paper
Brittle Paper always on the look out for new writing, so send them your work. They accept fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, book reviews, essays, literary commentaries, fun listicles, and any writing with a literary bent.
Deadline: Rolling basis | Renumeration: unstated
A few things to keep in mind:
Fiction: no more than 2,500 words. Book review: no more than 1,500 words. Literary commentary, think pieces and essays: no more than 1,500 words.
Include a short bio and photograph of yourself. Feel free to make the photograph as playful or as formal as you like.
Once you submit to the system, know that we will receive your submission. Because of this, we usually do not acknowledge reception unless emailed separately. However, we are working on a way to immediately acknowledge submissions.
Here are some of the reasons why we might turn down a submission: poor grammar, poor punctuation, poor use of tenses, plagiarism. We would especially reject a submission we deem to be misogynist or homophobic, or one that exhibits supremacist leanings on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion.
Be advised that we will edit your work and sometimes change the title, and if we consider the latter, we will inform you.
You retain the copyright to your work. However, we do require that you credit Brittle Paper as the original publisher of the work.
If the submission is a response to immediate events on the literary scene, please email it to brittlesubmissions@gmail.com for immediate consideration.
8. Submit to Gordon Square Review
Gordon Square Review, a publication of Literary Cleveland. They publish poetry, fiction prose and creative nonfiction. They are currently open for submission for their next issue.
Deadline: 1st April 2024. | Compensation: $15
General submission guidelines:
They will consider works that have been previously published (for general submissions) but are no longer available online or in-print. If work has been published on a personal blog or website, we request that it be taken down prior to publishing it.
They accept simultaneous submissions. We ask that you withdraw your work if it is accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted elsewhere, and after you have withdrawn the accepted submission, you may resubmit to us during the same reading period.
For poetry: Only include one poem in your submission.
For fiction: Only include one story in your submission. The word limit is 7,500 words.
For creative non-fiction: Only include one story or essay in your submission. The word limit is 1,000 words
They request that no cover letter or author bio be included in your submission.
They require non-exclusive world English rights and all rights revert to the author on publication.
Technical Writing
9. Hiring Technical Writer: Conclase Consulting, Lagos
Conclase Consulting is a provider of technical services for tech-enabled companies in Nigeria. The company offers tech recruiting, tech education, and a tech-startup builder studio to help businesses grow.
Deadline: Unstated | Renumeration: Unstated. | Type: Onsite
Requirements:
At least 4 years working experience.
Proficiency in technical communication, technical documentation, and technical writing
Ability to create and maintain documentation, manuals, and guides
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Degree in technical writing, communication, or a related field
Experience with HTML and CSS
Knowledge of software development and programming languages
Experience with content management systems
Prose of the Week
Untitled 1 by Ebube Iloba
You will look at Ada, and you will smile. You will look at her precious legs and imagine them snapping into two. You will see yourself on the grand stage at the MUSON centre, playing the lead role; the one that’s sure to go to Ada, and you will make up your mind.
Poetry of the Week
Explosion by Sekinat Oladeji
My country is a mannerless child
Cosplaying with the face of an elder
A reckless hybrid with fangs and claws
She is an amateur
With a gun…
Thanks for diving into our newsletter! Don't miss out—subscribe now for a weekly curated list including writing competitions, publishing opportunities, grants, fellowships, and content crafted to fuel the growth of African writers. Join the literary journey!
Yo geno rene (Goodluck—Fulfulde, Northern Nigeria)