Funded: 10 Opportunities for African Writers
Up to $1000, Funded travel, Free workshops, Internships etc
This newsletter is published every Wednesday
1. AMAKA Internship Grant at Sony
This fully-funded, two-month internship by AMAKA and Sony will give you the chance to gain invaluable hands-on experience in the dynamic world of music within the marketing department. From crafting compelling campaigns to analysing data and understanding the latest trends, you'll learn from the best and contribute your unique talents to a powerhouse team.
Deadline: 14th April 2024. | Prize: Internship + $1000 in prize money
How to Apply:
To qualify candidates have to open an AMAKA account. Creators can participate in the grant by incorporating the grant's designated hashtag (#AMAKAInternshipGrant) into their content. The content created by the authors must be original and should not be plagiarised from any other source. Content should either be:
A compelling video application showcasing your personality and passion (max 3 minutes).
A well-written essay highlighting your relevant skills and career goals (1,500 words max).
Please include a link to a CV detailing your previous experiences and achievements in the body of your application.
They are looking for undergraduate students in their 3rd or 4th year with a demonstrable willingness to learn and a passion for music.
Preferred candidate completed 1-2 internships already.
18-22 year olds are encouraged to apply.
Kindly note that this is a completely virtual internship, and you will be expected to dedicate at least 2-3 days a week.
To set up an account and apply, click here.
2. AMAKA Internship Grant at IC Publications
AMAKA and IC Publications, UK, have joined forces to offer an exceptional candidate a fully-funded, two-month internship focused on African Business Magazine. This is your chance to gain invaluable hands-on experience at a leading platform dedicated to African success stories, learning from the experts and contributing your fresh perspective.
Deadline: 14 April 2024. |. Prize: Internship + $1000 in prize money
Guidelines for application:
To qualify candidates have to open an AMAKA account. Creators can participate in the grant by incorporating the grant's designated hashtag (#AMAKAInternshipGrant) into their content. The content created by the authors must be original and should not be plagiarised from any other source. Submission includes:
A compelling article/essay (between 500-700 words): on a specific subject related to African business.
Include a link to a comprehensive 2-page CV: Highlight your relevant experience (business, research, writing, etc.), academic achievements, and any skills that would make you an asset to the IC Publications team.
Candidate must have:
A strong interest in African business and its role in the global economy.
Excellent research and writing skills.
A keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy.
The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Fluency in English is compulsory.
Source: Brittle Paper
3. SpringNG 2024 Writing Fellowship
The SprinNG Writing Fellowship (SWF) is an intensive 6-week online mentorship program for developing Nigerian, Ghanaian, Liberian, and South African writers with great potential and willingness to learn.
Deadline: April 15, 2023. | Prize: Free 6-week writing fellowship.
Things to note:
This fellowship focuses on Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Book Review, Play/Drama, and Blogging. During the 6 weeks, mentees will be in contact with their mentors, sending them their works and getting reviews and commentaries. Mentors and mentees will aim to work on at least 1 piece of writing in their select genre per week.
The SprinNG Creative Writing Fellowship is only open to writers who have not published a book before (eBook/hardcopy).
Applicants must be a Nigerian, Ghanaian, Liberian, or South African citizen, must reside in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, or South Africa, and must be between the ages of 18 to 25.
4. Afrocritik 2024 Prize for Criticism
In recognition of Africa’s literary landscape which has grown over the years to acclaim both on the continent and abroad, the inaugural edition of the Afrocritik Prize for Criticism will spotlight discourse within the works of contemporary African writers. The books to be reviewed include: Affection and Other Accidents by Dami Ajayi, Dreaming of Ways to Understand You by Jerry Chiemeke, His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie.
Deadline: 30th April 2024. | Prize: Total of $600
How to submit:
Submit a 600 to 800-word review each, covering all three books under review.
Entries must be submitted as a single document (doc. or pdf file) within the entry period.
Multiple submissions are discouraged.
Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 24.
Applicants must be African citizens residing in Africa.
Proof of age and citizenship may be required during submission.
5. Two Lines Press: Pitch for African Literature Translations
Two Lines Press is excited to open submissions for pitches of translations of literary works by African writers. They are open to translations from any non-English language, but we are especially eager to receive submissions of work from African languages and/or from less-represented populations. We also encourage submissions from emerging translators of African origin or descent.
Deadline: Rolling basis. | Compensation: from $400
How to pitch:
Send a short query to submissions@twolinespress.com with:
brief bios of the author and of the translator;
a cover letter with:
a 1-paragraph description of the project,
1-2 sentences about why you feel this project would be relevant for a contemporary English-language readership now
2-3 books published in the past 2 years in the US (translations or not) whose audience you feel your project would appeal to,
and whether you would like to be considered for financial support for a longer sample (see below); and
a short 5-page translation sample (unpublished or previously published).
Two Lines is only considering pitches for novels, story collections, and literary non-fiction.
Translators are expected to have identified and obtained contact information for copyright holders or the original author’s agent before submitting. Two Lines strongly encourages translators to contact rights holders before spending any time translating—there is nothing more disappointing that working hard on a translation only to find the rights are not available.
They are primarily interested in contemporary work or work that will engage with but also expand upon the contemporary American literary landscape.
They do not consider retranslations of previously translated work unless there is a very compelling reason for the retranslation and the original translation is not currently in print.
For more info, click here.
6. Voodoonauts 2024 Black Speculative Summer Fellowship
Voodoonauts is hosting a free online week-long writing fellowship in August with the theme: Resistance, Solidarity. and Liberation. Voodoonauts was founded by four Black writers Shingai Njeri Kagunda, Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, LP Kindred, and Hugh “H.D” Hunter who saw a shortage of Black storytelling-centered spaces in the mainstream SFF community.
Deadline: 1st May 2024. | Prize: Free workshop
Things to note:
Voodoonauts will be hosting craft workshops and teachings that insist on dismantling imperialist, white supremacist, and capitalist worlds in stories, while creating worlds rooted in liberation.
Workshop holds virtually, from 8-11 August, 2024.
You can email voodoonauts@gmail.com for any inquiries
Source: Brittle Paper
7. Communa Magazine: Call for Short Stories
Communa is a digital and print publication interested in exploring sociocultural stories with curiosity and insight. For their first call for submissions they are seeking short stories under the theme “The house the people built”. “We want to be surprised, we want to be moved and most of all, we want to publish you.”—Communa
Deadline: 8th May 2024. | Prize: Total of $325
Guidelines for submissions
They accept only fiction that has not been published on any platform.
They also accept simultaneous submissions, but kindly inform them if your submission has been accepted by another publication.
Submissions should be via this LINK a minimum length of 1,500 words and maximum of 5000 words is required.
Save the attached document with the category and title of your work only. For example; “Fiction. A time to cry”. Please do not save the attached document with your name.
A brief introduction about yourself with your social media handles should be included in your submission.
Winners will be announced on their social media pages.
8. Cassava Republic African Women Non-Fiction Writing Workshop
This is a 10-day residential workshop of creativity and collaboration, under the theme ‘Taboo’, in Johannesburg in July 2024. The workshop offers writers the opportunity to refine their craft and engage critically with the long tradition of non-fiction writing as they explore their own unique voice. The workshop will culminate in a final essay to be published in an anthology by Cassava Republic Press.
Deadline: 31st May 2024. | Prize: Funded travel + publication
To enter:
The prize is open to all Black women over the age of 18 who live in Africa.
You will need to submit a short pitch letter about your ideas for the topic and the first draft of the essay you will be working on at the workshop, on the theme of Taboo.
Final essays will be a minimum of 5,000 words and should be beautiful, thoughtful, rigorous and bring a fresh insight to the conversation.
Click here to apply.
9. Brittle Paper Call for Submissions: #EndSars Protest
The editor Chibueze Darlington Anuonye—in collaboration with Brittle Paper—calls for submissions of essays and creative nonfiction pieces that speak to and about the EndSARS protest, which took place in Nigeria between September and October 2020. The theme is “Who Gave the Order: The History of a People’s Movement”.
Deadline: June 30th 2024. | Renumeration: $100 per piece
Things to note:
The anthology will comprise pieces that account for the experiences of Nigerians during the EndSARS, related events before and after the protest, and how these moments and encounters shape the lives of Nigerians, as well as the image of the nation.
They accept only electronic submissions via email (chibuezedarlington@yahoo.com).
Submission header should read “Submission for Who Gave the Order.”
Submission word count should be between 2,500 to 5,000.
Multiple or simultaneous submissions will not be read, accepted or acknowledged.
Accompany your submission with a short bio of not more 200 words.
They are only interested in personal and previously unpublished essays and creative nonfiction pieces. However, if you are not comfortable with writing but would love to narrate your account orally, please contact them, as they might have an idea on how you could contribute to the anthology.
For more info, see here
Technical Writing
Smaato by Verve Group is Hiring a Remote Technical Writer
Smaato’s digital ad tech platform is the only omnichannel ad server and monetization solution with controls to make monetization simple. They are seeking a cross-functional team player who will partner with the Product Manager to provide high-standard documentation, tooltips, and naming convention.
Deadline: Unstated | Pay: Unstated
Preferred Qualifications:
At least 3 years of experience working on SaaS platforms
Extensive experience in writing Software documentation (requirements, user guides, etc.), documentation for APIs, SDKs, or other end-user materials
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and high attention to detail
Fluent English
Experience in the AdTech industry is an advantage.
Prose of the Week
Personal ‘Truths’, the Objectivity of Experience, & the Nigerian Women Choosing not to Marry | Esohe Iyare
Aren’t you tired of being lied to? Because I am.
On a random Tuesday, after the sun had licked me raw and left me leeching whatever cool a very tired air conditioner was sputtering out of its grille, I was offered a book. It was a random buy off the street; purchased because…
Poetry of the Week
The Promise of Sun-Kissed Dreams | Tope Ogundare
One day,
You will part your lips
& suckle on happiness
Like the butterfly’s proboscis
Plunging into the nectary.
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Iba netjhudu (Good luck—Ndebele, Southern Zimbabwe)