Funded: 9 Opportunities for African Writers
Up to $1000, Book Deals, Workshops, Internship, Contests etc
This newsletter is published every Wednesday at 5pm WAT.
1. Culture Custodian’s Women in Media Mentorship Program
This program is part of Culture Custodian’s three-part campaign celebrating women redefining African media today and investing in the next generation of industry leaders. It pairs ambitious young women with some of the most experienced and accomplished women in the media industry. Through personalized guidance, practical advice, and real-world insights, mentees will gain invaluable knowledge to help shape their professional journey.
Deadline: 8th March 2025 | Prize: Free Mentorship
Things to note:
To be considered for this mentorship program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Identify as a woman working in or aspiring to work in the media industry
Have 1-3 years of professional experience or demonstrated passion for media
Be committed to engaging fully over the 90-day program
Be curious, open to feedback and eager to grow.
Mentors include Meet the Mentors
Kadaria Ahmed – Managing Director, Radio Now 95.3 FM
Motunrayo Alaka – Executive Director, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism
Jola Ayeye – Co-host, I Said What I Said Podcast
Aisha Salaudeen – Head of Production, Vistanium & Managing Editor, Paystack
2.Editorial Internship: Narrative Landscape Press
Narrative Landscape Press Limited was founded in 2016 by Anwuli Ojogwu and Eghosa Imasuen. The founders want to create a firm that could distil the essence of the publishing process and provide a service to other publishing houses and self-publishing authors within the Nigerian space. They are currently seeking interns interested in editorial work.
Deadline: 15th March 2025| Type: Remote | Pay: Unstated
Things to note:
This position is for four to eight weeks.
Interested applicants should send their applications to editorial@narrativelandscape.com
3. Get Published by Narrative Landscape Press
Narrative Landscape Press, founded by Anwuli Ojogwu and Eghosa Imasuen, is on a mission to develop a cadre of excellent writers. They are currently seeking exclusively fiction manuscript submissions.
Deadline: 31st March 2025. | Compensation: Book Deal
How to submit:
To submit your work, send them an email with the subject heading “Submissions [title of your work]” and the following content to submissions@narrativelandscape.com
The body of the email is your query letter, introducing you, telling them why you contacted them, and telling them about the work in question. A few words on why you are the best fit to write this work will also be worth looking at.
Include a one-page synopsis of the work you are submitting as a Word Document attachment. Please include all major plot points in your synopsis, including spoilers. You can also say a few words about the theme of the work.
A sample of the work in question as a Word Document attachment. This should be the first 3 chapters, or the first 50 pages, or the first 10,000 words, whichever is longer.
Send your manuscript sample in double-spaced, indented no-space paragraphs, left-justified only, 12-point serif font (They prefer courier new) text on A4.
They ask for eight weeks after each submissions reading window to reply.
4. Submit Manuscripts to Ouida Books
Ouida Books is inspired by the pin-tailed Whydah, known for its love of freedom, its courage and undeniable elegance. Their vision is to cater to the needs of readers who enjoy high quality fiction such as A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi, The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa by Stephen Buoro, and more. They are also accepting submissions under their subsidaries for nonfiction (Cognix), commercial fiction (Lufu) and children books (Tanfa)
Deadline: 31st of March | Pay: Book deal
Guidelines:
For Literary Fiction: Please send an email with the subject heading “Submission: [title of your work]” to submissions@ouidabooks.com. They are not accepting short story collections at this time.
In your query letter (in the body of the email), introduce yourself. Please tell us everything you think we ought to know about the work in question (story premise and story blurb). Consider mentioning why you think you are best placed to write this work. Two files should be submitted.
File 1: A one-page synopsis of the work you are submitting, in Microsoft Word. Please include all major plot points in your synopsis, including spoilers.
File 2: A sample of the work in question. This should be the first 3 chapters, or the first 50 pages, or the first 10,000 words, whichever is longer.
Your submission should be traditionally formatted. Send your manuscript sample in double-spaced, indented paragraphs, left-justified only, Times New Roman text on A4. Please adhere strictly to these specifications, as your submission might be considered invalid if you do not.
Ouida Books is not accepting poetry, or play submissions at this time.
You can only submit one manuscript at a time.
5. Apply to Northern Narratives Initiative
The Northern Writers Forum (NWF) invites applications from up-and-coming writers from Northern Nigeria for the Northern Narratives Initiative, an online 3-to-5-month mentorship and publishing programme to amplify underrepresented voices from the region. With the kind support of Open Arts World, the initiative aims to develop literary talent through mentorship, editorial guidance, and publication.
Deadline: 1st April 2025 | Prize: Free Internship
Things to note:
Selected writers will benefit from:
– Creative Writing Workshops (Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Non-fiction)
– One-on-one mentorship with award-winning Nigerian writers
– Professional Editing & Publishing Support
– Visibility & Networking Opportunities within the literary ecosystem
– Digital Micro Chapbook Publication – Every participant will have their work professionally edited and published as a mini chapbook at the end of the program.Applicants must be:
– Early-career writers from Northern Nigeria
– Interested in Poetry, Fiction, or Creative Non-fiction
– Open to being mentored, receiving constructive feedback, and growth
– Ready to commit to the full duration of the virtual program2. Submit to Swim Press
6. Submit to Akewi Magazine
Akéwì Magazine is a biannual literary and art publication dedicated to celebrating the diverse voices and artistic expressions of the writers/artists of colour. They warmly invite wonderfully crafted stories, emotionally charged poetry, and captivating one-act plays that explore the theme: Ayo (Joy is Coming). “We seek work that explores joy in all its dimensions—joy that is loud, joy that is soft, joy that is complicated, joy that is fleeting yet powerful.”—Akewi Magazine
Deadline: 31st March 2025 | Compensation: Unstated
Prose (Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction):
Word Limit: Up to 5,000 words. NOTE: This is not a firm limit, but longer pieces would need to earn their space.
Formatting: Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font
Submit to prose.akewimag@gmail.com
Poetry:
3 – 5 poems in a single document (no more than one poem per page)
Formatting: Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font
Submit to: poetry.akewimag@gmail.com
Drama (One Act Plays):
No more than 3 main characters and 5 side characters
Formatting: Times New Roman, 12-point font
Submit to drama.akewimag@gmail.com
All submissions must be original, unpublished works. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but kindly notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere (we want to celebrate with you).
Prose, poetry, and drama submissions should be sent as either .doc, .docx, or .rtf formats.
Include a brief cover letter in the body of your email. State your name, contact information, a short bio (150 words max), and the category of your submission (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, or Drama).
7. Toyin Falola Prize 2025
This Prize is created in honor of the Distinguished African scholar and foremost historian, Professor Toyin Falola. This year, it invites young African writers to craft narratives exploring the intricate intersections of Nature, Mother, Life, Earth, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence. Submissions should delve into the complexities, tensions, and points of unity within these relationships.
Deadline: 25th April 2025| Prize: $1,000
Things to note:
There is no limit to the number of words; however, submissions within the range of 1,500 – 4,500 words are preferred.
Writers are only allowed to submit one entry.
All entrants must be African.
All submissions must be the original work of the entrants, previously unpublished in any form, and not under consideration for publication or a prize somewhere else.
All submissions should be attached as a doc. file, named as the title of the submission (without the name of the entrant) and formatted in 1.5 line spacing, Book Antiqua font, size 12.
The body of the submission email should not contain the bio of the entrant, just the title of the submission, word count, genre, full name, and contact information. Bios of the entrants will be requested upon selection.
Submissions should be sent to prize@lunaris.com.ng with the subject “TOYIN FALOLA PRIZE SUBMISSION.”
No erotica.
Due to a personal emergency, this newsletter could not be completed. Apologies and thank you. If possible, it will be updated tomorrow.
Thank you for always showing up! I hope you’re doing okay now 🫶🏾
Hello. Thanks for always sharing these opportunities, we hope you are doing okay?