Funded Opportunities for African Writers
Up to GHS16,000, Contests, Print Publication, Collaborative Writing
This newsletter is published every Wednesday at 5pm WAT.
If you or someone you referred have received an acceptance for any of the opportunities listed on African Writer Weekly, please share your win to encourage the work we do!
1. Submit to The Bombay Literary Magazine
The Bombay Literary Magazine‘s mission is to promote writers through their fine work. They are also interested in nonfiction that looks at literature from a “writerly” perspective. They are currently seeking essays, translations visual narratives and graphic fiction. They are currently open for submissions for Issue 61 (August 2025)
Deadline: 31st May 2025 | Pay: $60
Things to note:
Send currently unpublished work. Personal blogs, social media posts, college magazines, newspapers, graffiti, milk carton copy, etc. all count as prior publications.
They have a cap of 400 submissions in each category. Once maxed out, they can no longer accept submissions in that category.
Translations: We welcome translated poetry (3-5 poems) and translated short fiction in English. Each is considered a separate category. Please include a full citation for the original source. If you like, you may also include a translator’s note (here’s a good example of one). If accepted for publication, we will need to verify you have the translation rights the text (see FAQs).
Self-Translations: They treat self-translated works as original works in English. In other words, please submit self-translations as original poetry or original fiction contributions.
Graphic Fiction: adult-oriented graphic fiction. Radical is good. Experimental is normal raised right. Edgy, retro-edgy, antidisestablishmentarian, missionary: itsallgood, maacha. The length of the piece is up to you.
Essays: nonfiction, between 2K-5K words, with a focus on writing and literature. The “essay” has always been an assay, as Brian Dillon pointed out; they welcome noble failures.
2. Call for Submissions: Poems of Peace
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. To mark the occasion, Poems for Persons of Interest is looking for poems of peace (broadly construed) for their Summer Peace Issue, which comes out on August 6th (the anniversary of the atom bombing of Hiroshima by the United States).
Deadline: 1st June 2025, 1:59 pm EDT | Pay: unstated
Things to note:
Send a word doc or pdf with one or more poems to poemsforpoi@gmail.com.
Submissions are free for writers residing in Africa
Poems must be the original work of the submitter, unpublished except on personal social media
Poems must be NO MORE than 50 lines
We are not considering prose poems for this call
Each poem should be submitted in a separate file
Name your file the title of the poem. DO NOT include your name or other identifying information in the file name or the document
Include a short bio (no more than 50 words) in the body of your email.
Simultaneous submissions are fine. Just let them know asap if your work is accepted elsewhere.
3. Send Poetry and Prose to Storm Shelter
Storm Shelter is a printed journal of poetry, prose and visual art, supported by Fingal Arts Fingal County Council, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Council.
Deadline: 8th June 2025, 11.59pm GMT | Pay: Up to €60
Things to note:
Please only submit to ONE CATEGORY per issue.
For POETRY, submit up to THREE (3) poems (max 40 lines per poem), all complied in ONE (1) single document, either WORD DOC or PDF, using TIMES NEW ROMAN / FONT SIZE 11 or similar.
For PROSE, submit up to TWO (2) pieces of prose (max 1500 words per piece), all complied in ONE (1) single document, either WORD DOC or PDF, using TIMES NEW ROMAN / FONT SIZE 11 or similar
Submissions should comprise of an email with a brief GREETING to Damien (Hello, I hope you are well, I would like to submit my poem / prose / art…) and a bio in the 3rd person (max 75 words) in the body of the email.
Emails should be titled The Storms Poetry Submission / The Storms Prose Submission / The Storms Art Submission.
Submissions should not have been previously published but you are welcome to submit pieces that have appeared on social media – X, Instagram, Faceboo
Email submissions to thestormssubmissions@yahoo.com and include a 3rd person bio (max 75 words) in the body of the email. This can include your name, however, please remember that the document with your submission should not include your name, either in the title or inside it. Call the document Storms Submission Poetry / Storms Submission Prose
4. Mythic Picnic Micro Collection, Edited by Tara Campbell
Tara Campbell is looking for some literary weirdness to share as part of a microcollection. Though the genre is open, she is partial to speculative work (which can be either fiction or creative nonfiction). Keep in mind, however, speculative doesn't just mean spaceships and robots, or magic and dragons. She is interested in subtle strangeness, fabulism, odd occurrences, folklore etc. All kinds of fantastical strangeness is welcome.
Deadline: 15th June 2025 or until 100 subs | Pay: $25
Things to note:
She will publish 12 micros of up to 350 words each (including bio)
Mythic Picnic will put all the stories into a 25k tweet and promote it on twitter.
Each person can submit two stories, up to 350 words each (including bio).
Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please contact her using the contact form on her website (www.taracampbell.com) if your work is accepted elsewhere.
5. Fahmidan Journal: Open for Submissions
Fahmidan comes out four times a year online. They are now accepting submissions for their Summer 2025 Issue. They welcome poetry, short fiction, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. “Send your thought-provoking existentialism, your phobias, your darkest moments. Entrance with your whimsical fantasy. Move to tears with your truth in a world of suffering.”—Fahmidan
Deadline: 15th June 2025 | Pay: $25 per piece
How to submit:
This is an English language journal. However, submissions partially containing other languages are very much welcome but they do not publish translations.
Send only accept unpublished work that has not appeared in any publicly-accessible forum or otherwise.
Please only submit once per submission category at a time.
No AI generated work.
Poetry: Submit up to 3 Poems.
Poems should be no longer than 3 A4 pages but they’re open to diverse formats as.
Poems should be single-spaced and each begin on a new page. Please clearly indicate when a poem goes beyond one page.
Short Fiction and Non-Fiction: Submit one piece of between 1000 and 2500 words.
Flash Fiction and Non-Fiction: Submit up to two pieces of no more than 800 words.
Click here to submit.
6. WIPO National IP Essay Competition 2025 for Nigerians
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) invites students to explore how intellectual property (IP) rights can bolster Nigeria’s music industry, particularly genres like Afrobeats, by protecting creators and fostering economic growth in this years topic “IP and Music: Harnessing Nigeria’s Music Industry for Economic Growth”
Deadline: 20th June 2025. | Prize: Unstated professional development package
Things to note:
The national competition is open to all registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) of recognized tertiary institutions in Nigeria - Universities, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, as well as professional or vocational institutions.
The essay must be written in English.
Essay entries should not exceed 1,500 words (bibliography and references are excluded)
Arial (Black) font size 12, with double line spacing, and pages numbered
Entries should be submitted in both Word and PDF format
Entries must not include any pictures or other graphical Illustrations.
Entries must not contain any Indication as to the name, school, number, emall address, or other means or Identification or affliation to its author and/ or any other person.
Al-generated works are not eligible for submission and will be disqualified
A valid student ID card or proof of enrolment will be required when submitting.
For more info on the topic and to submit, click here.
7. Enter the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize 2025
The SBLP is a nationwide biennial literary competition dedicated to identifying, nurturing, and providing a clear pathway for talented young Ghanaian writers to become published. This is the third edition of the prize and selected entries from each edition are compiled and published in a widely acclaimed anthology, providing invaluable exposure for emerging writers.
Deadline: 21st June 2025 | Prize: Laptops + Total of GHS16,000
Things to note:
Themes include:
Adaptations of African Folktales and myths
Environment and Climate Action
Traditional Symbols
African Heros and Heroines
Only Ghanian citizens living in Ghana and aged 15-30 at the time of submission may enter. Writers must not have authored a book.
Stories must be for children within the ages of 9 and 15
Stories must be relatable and engaging, using every day Ghanaian settings and characters that children can identify with. Language must simple and accessible.
Only one entry per writer is allowed.
Poetry submissions can feature up to 3 poems.
Language of submission is English.
Prose entries should be between 1000-1500 words
Only the title of the story should be in the document, no names should be written in the submission. The first page should have the title and word count only
Entries must be original and unpublished
Formatting must be Times New Roman, Font size 12 and 0 spacing.
Text should be center-justified
Page numbers should be indicated on each page
File format must be doc. Or docx (Microsoft Word)
To submit, fill this form
8. Midnight & Indigo: Open for Submissions from Black Women
Midnight & indigo, a literary journal celebrating Black women writers, has issued a call for submissions to review short stories and narrative essays. They publish content their tri-annual literary journals. Writers are invited to share their original, fictional, or personal stories. Stories must be character-driven and leave readers with something to think about. All genres are welcome!
Deadline: 30th June 2025 | Pay: $0.07 per word
Things to note:
They are currently accepting submissions for three categories. Click each title for specific guidelines and submission links.
Short Stories: Literary fiction delves deep into the human condition, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the intricate nuances of everyday life. (1500-7000 words)
Personal Essays: Previously unpublished, personal and evocative first-person essays that forge an immediate connection with readers. (Min of 1200 words)
All genres and writing styles are welcome. It may be helpful to view their current short stories, essays, and literary journals to get a general sense of what we publish, but don’t be afraid to push the needle!
They do not accept work created by AI. Any submissions not entirely created by a human author will be automatically rejected.
9. 2025 Africa Wiki Challenge
Open Foundation West Africa (OFWA)’s Africa Wiki Challenge is an initiative designed to generate and enhance African content on Wikipedia, with a particular focus on issues that are central to the African history, development, achievements, and ongoing struggles. This theme of year’s edition is “Reclaiming Our Narrative: Justice for Africans and the Diaspora through Reparations.”
Deadline: 30th June 2025 | Prize: Total of GHS 27,500
Things to note:
To participate in the challenge you can:
Improve and create articles related to historical injustices, reparations, and African resilience.
Upload images and media to Wikimedia Commons to visually represent key moments in African history.
Translate content into African languages to ensure wider accessibility
Engage in edit-a-thons and training sessions to collaborate with fellow Wikimedians
Only people of African descent may participate. To enter, you will need to create a Wikipedia account.
Sign up for the contest and start creating or improving Wikipedia articles related to the theme. Relevant topics are listed here.
Additionally, join the AWC Participant Telegram page for interactions and important updates.
They encourage as many individual organisers and groups as possible to organise community events around AWC 2025. More information can be found here
Use the official hashtags: #AfricaWikiChallenge, #AWC, #AWC2025 to share your contributions and connect with fellow participants.
10. Submit Sweet: A Literary Confection
Sweet publishes emerging and established writers, releasing new work on a weekly basis throughout the calendar year. Sweet seeks only poetry and creative nonfiction
Deadline: 1st July 2025 | Pay: unstated amount
Things to note:
Send only unpublished work.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify them immediately if your work has been taken by another literary journal
Send is 3-5 poems in a single Microsoft Word (*.doc, *.docx) document.
For creative non-fiction, send 2-3 short-short creative nonfiction pieces or one longer one. Essays should not exceed 1,500 words total in a single Microsoft Word (*.doc, *.docx) document.
Please include a brief cover letter and bio with your submission.
11. Submit to Ubwali
Ubwali is a literary magazine from Zambia on a mission to publish stories that nourish. They are currently accepting short stories, essays, visual art (including photography) and poems.
Deadline: 31st July 2025 | Pay: $10
Things to note:
This call is only open to Zambian writers.
Word count is 3000-6000 words for fiction, up to 3000words for essays, or 1-3 poems in a single document.
Submissions should come as Word document (not PDF) typed in a legible, plain font such as Arial, Book Antiqua, Georgia, Garamond, or Times New Roman. Please keep font size to 12pt and 1.5 spaced.
Please ensure that your work is free from obvious grammatical errors prior to submission. They do not allow revision while your work is under consideration.
Submissions must be in English but may incorporate Zambian languages like Bemba, Nyanja, and Tonga.
Authors may submit only one piece to one category per submission period, and rejected submissions should not be resubmitted.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Restrictions include no AI-generated work, no co-authored work, no translations, and only unpublished submissions, as self-publication, including on social media, counts as publication.
Images must be inclusive, positive, representative, unique, and creative, in color or black and white, with a size between 5 MB and 10 MB.
Prose of the Week
Who speaks for the missing? Who speaks for the left behind? | Osakpolor Omoregie
There is a silence that lingers in the homes of those left behind. A silence heavy with grief, unspoken fears, and the unrelenting hope that one day, a missing loved one will walk through the door again. For many families in Benin City, this silence is beyond metaphorical, it is a haunting, an absence that stretches across years. It is this silence that I chose to break with my photography and VR art installation on missing migrants, We Speak Their Names In Hushed Tones (WSTNIHT), a story that must be told now more than ever…
If you’d like your published prose featured in ‘Prose of The Week’ send an email to editor.afww@gmail.com.
Poetry of the Week
The Pull You've Known| Richard Onwuasor
Shattered arm, pulled back from reach,
Sits alone at the shore of the beach.
Wandered from home, there's no one to hold.
The aura that surrounds, is quiet and cold.
Whispers of dread, they sit in your head;
Pick a quick movie to drown it in bed…
If you’d like your published poetry featured in ‘Poetry of The Week’ send an email to editor.afww@gmail.com.
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ukutunguluka kuli iwe (Sucess to you —Chibemba, Zambia)
Hi, how does one submit an opportunity?
My team and I @creativesghana are organising two different poetry contests.
https://substack.com/@poetpastor/note/p-164122024?r=5gejob&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action