August Opportunities for African Writers
Up to $10,000, Book Publication, Contests, Jobs, Sponsored Travel
This newsletter is published every Wednesday at 5pm WAT.
1. Skin Deep is Accepting Pitches
Skin Deep Magazine is an arts and culture organisation working in service of racial justice. In their annual print magazine, they publish journalistic features, interviews, essays, conversations, fiction, poetry, photography, art and other creative responses. They are looking for pitches and submissions that will explore the relationship between time and our interconnected struggles for racial justice and liberation.
Deadline: 5th Aug 2024 | Pay: £200-500
Pitching tips:
As a space for cultural production in the name of racial justice and they’re always interested in work that explores the relationship between culture/creativity and anti-racist, anti-imperialist politics and activism.
They’re interested in: archiving, chronicling, time travel, inheritance, deep time, crip time, more-than-human time, looking back to look forward, and decolonising time itself.
For more pitching tips and to explore their magazine, click here
To submit your pitch, click below.
2. Apply: LOATAD Black Atlantic Residency II
Generously supported by Hawthornden Foundation, the LOATAD (Library of Africa and the African Diaspora) Black Atlantic Residency seeks to break down barriers between writers from across the continent and the Diaspora by bringing them together physically, in community, around a common purpose and theme. The second iteration’s theme is African Solidarities
Deadline: 18th August 2024, 23:59 GMT | Stipend: $500 + Travel support to Accra
Things to note:
Beginner, Emerging and Established writers from and/or based in Africa, the Caribbean, North America, South America, and Europe whose work engages with issues concerning Africa and/or the Diaspora, specifically, The Black Atlantic, are eligible.
Writers of fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry, playwrights, and academic texts with good publication credits in literary journals / magazines / newspapers, etc are eligible.
Writers can write in any language, but must be able to communicate in English.
Writers must be aged 21 or over.
Writers must own a valid passport and be willing to travel to Ghana to participate in the physical residency.
Length of Residency: 4 weeks at LOATAD, Greater Accra, Ghana
Residency Dates: February 2025 – March 2025 – April 2025
Writers must be willing to commit to the entirety of the residency programme.
Writers will produce a piece of writing between 2,500 and 10,000 words on the theme, What is Africa to Us? African Solidarities for publication in the anthology to be published by LOATAD at the end of the residency.
To apply, please fill this form.
3. Webinar: Applying to Fully Funded MFA and PHD Creative Writing Programs
Cornell University is hosting a free webinar on the application process for their fully funded post-graduate programs in creative writing. Their creative writing program is ranked 7th in the United States of America.
Date: 17th and 31st August 2024. | Compensation: free support
To register:
4. Verbatim is Hiring Content Writers
Verbatim helps venture-backed B2B startups build content engines that generate demand. In less than 2 years, we’ve worked with 200+ startups and launched 75+ content functions to market. They are looking for a well-rounded, ambitious writer looking to build their portfolio and hone their skills.
Deadline: 19th Aug 2024 | Pay: Unstated. | Type: Remote
Requirements:
2+ years of content marketing experience with a portfolio showcasing your work
Experience in B2B (i.e. ecomm infra, fintech, security, dev tools, enterprise)
Stellar content sensibilities, from high-level strategic direction to in-the-weeds execution
Outstanding attention to detail, whether fact-checking or getting the commas right
Consistently go the extra mile to take projects from good to great
Communicate with precision, clarity, honesty, and low ego
Looking to be part of a fast-paced, startup-like environment
Can balance excellence with urgency and speed
Comfortable navigating ambiguous projects
Open to receiving and quick to action constructive feedback
Click to apply.
5. 2024-2025 Quillers Mentorship Program
The Quillers Mentorship Program is a writing initiative where published authors, represented writers, and publishing professionals pair up with aspiring writers from the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region to guide them through their journey in the publishing industry. The mentorship consists of three choices: full manuscript, partial manuscript, and or query submission critiques (query letter + synopsis).
Deadline: 19th Aug 2024 | Compensation: Free mentorship
To apply:
Mentees must originally be from the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region. African countries include: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia.
Create a 35-word pitch summarizing your work.
Prepare a query letter and a one-page synopsis (optional)
Check Quillers’ Mentors Page to choose which mentor (up to 2) suits you best.
Full Manuscript Critique: upload the first 3 chapters of your novel (make sure you have a full manuscript completed).
Partial Manuscript Critique: Upload first 10 pages (make sure you have a half-finished manuscript (minimum 15-20k words written) for novel length work, for picture books, a few pages will suffice).
Fill this form to begin your application.
6. Purple Shelves Call for Novel Submissions
Purple Shelves is excited to announce a call for submissions of truly authentic African and Nigerian unpublished novel manuscripts. They are looking for compelling stories that capture the essence of African experiences and perspectives.
Deadline: 20th Aug 2024 | Compensation: Book Deal
Things to note:
Manuscripts must be original works written in English, not previously published.
Only novels between 80,000 and 120,000 words will be considered.
Submissions should use the following format:
Font: Helvetica/ Font Size: 12 point/ Line Spacing: Double-spaced
Margins: 1 inch on both sides/ File Format
Submit manuscripts as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx files).
Include a cover page with the following information: Title of the manuscript/ Author’s full name/ Contact information (email and phone number)/ Word count.
Email your manuscript to submissions@purpleshelves.com (One per author). Use the subject line: “Novel Submission: [Your Title]”
Selected authors will be contacted by October 2024.
7. Agbowó Magazine Call for Submissions
Agbowo invites you to its unthemed issue. “The editors and I are looking for new voices, and we are enthusiastic about established writers. We want pieces of writing that rock the continent. We want to understand your politics and share your personal and collective trauma. We want a snapshot of your geography. We are very interested in writings that are cursory, tasty, musical, careful, and written with love. We love narratives, really-good-but-not-overly-done metaphors, direct verses, brilliant rhymes, truth, and well-edited writing.”
Deadline: 30th August 2024 | Compensation: from N20,000
Things to note:
Poems should be a maximum of 3 poems attached as Microsoft Word (Please format it as you want it to be published). Each poem should be titled and every new poem should begin on a new page.
For fiction, while you are welcome to send flash fiction, they usually publish stories with the 1500 – 5000 word range. Stories should be attached as Microsoft Word documents.
For Non-fiction, they are on a particular lookout for essays with roots wholly or partly lodged within the context of Africa, either through subjects under focus or case studies.
Include a cover letter and a biography ranging between 100 and 200 words
Essays must be written in the English language. Broken English is also acceptable.
Word count is 750-3500 words
For One-Act Plays, running times must be between 10 and 30 minutes and have a maximum of 7 cast. Include a cover letter with a summary of the play, the name and location of the playwright, the running time, performance history (if it has been performed before), and awards (if it has won any awards). They accept previously plays.
For all submissions, font should be Times New Roman font with a 1.5 spacing.
Also, attach a portrait picture, a short bio of fewer than 100 words, and your social media handles.
They accept only unpublished work.
To submit, please click your desired category: Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, One-Act Plays.
8. Remoteli is Hiring Bilingual Copywriters
As a Mid-Level Copywriter at Remoteli, you will play a crucial role in developing strategies, creating compelling content, and implementing campaigns across various industries. You'll collaborate with teams to produce innovative and engaging content that resonates with audiences. This role offers the flexibility to work from Remoteli offices in Accra, Kigali, or Cairo.
Deadline: Unstated | Pay: Unstated. | Type: Full-time, Onsite.
What You'll Need:
Up to 5years experience in an advertising agency or consultancy.
Strong experience writing for digital and social media platforms, with SEO in mind.
Background in corporate or journalism environments preferred.
Thorough understanding of social media and digital best practices.
Proficiency in English and French, German or Arabic.
Ability to adapt tone and style to different industries and brands.
Experience with publishing through various social media channels and content management systems.
Strong conceptual thinking and the ability to use data and insight to inform creative ideas.
Curiosity, creativity, and ambition, with a flair for words.
Confidence in presenting and communicating ideas to team members and clients.
To apply, click the language you’re most proficient in: French, German, Arabic.
9. Afroyanga 2.0 Bootcamp
Afroyanga Bootcamp began as a vision to create a space where young Africans could come together to share their diverse experiences and contribute to the global knowledge base. Afroyanga Bootcamp 2.0 will host 40 participants towards the creation of several high-impact Wikipedia articles, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and vibrant communities of Africa.
Deadline: until cap reached | Compensation: Free training
Things to note:
This exciting event is open to all young Africans, including students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and traders. No prior experience with Wikimedia projects is necessary.
Fill Out the Application Form: Click here to access the Google Form and complete the application questions.
Submit Your Application: Ensure all required fields are filled out accurately.
Review Process: Our selection committee will review all applications to select participants.
Notification: Selected participants will be notified via email.
The bootcamp is scheduled to hold between August 21st - 26th, 2024.
10. Call For Applications: Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition 2025
The Yale Drama Series is an annual, international competition for emerging playwrights, funded by generous support from the David Charles Horn Foundation. The winner will receive a monetary prize their manuscript by Yale University Press, and a celebratory event.
Deadline: 9th September 2024 | Prize: $10,000
To enter:
This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language.
Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages. Plays with less than 65 pages will not be considered. Translations, musicals, and children’s plays are not accepted.
Playwrights may submit only one manuscript per year. Only manuscripts authored by one playwright are eligible.
Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.
Plays may not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.
Plays must be typed/word-processed and page-numbered.
Please omit your name and contact information from your manuscript and submission file name.
The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes.
Enter the title of your play, your name and contact information (including address, phone number, and email address), and a brief biography where indicated in the electronic submission form.
Prose of the Week
The Women of the Gold Coast | Benjamin Cyril Arthur
As the sun descended, casting a cloak of darkness over the capital of Gold Coast, shadows danced across the landscape beneath which a woman hastened through the night, her gaze darting anxiously from side to side as if pursued. Long shadows stretched across her face, adding years to her youthful visage. She quickened her pace when she reached a junction full of dilapidated houses…
Poetry of the Week
The Flesh Wound | Adut Loi Akok
There you remain, a persistent ache,
A wound that won’t heal.
Decades have passed, yet you endure,
A constant presence.
For you, I feel stranded…
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Nenpin pokin (God will grant you success—Ngas, Plateau State, Nigeria)