Open: 11 Opportunities for African Writers
Up to $450, Funded Travel, Workshop, Print Publication, Contests etc
This newsletter is published every Wednesday at 5pm, WAT.
1. 2024 Awele Creative Trust Short Story Award
Awele Creative Trust (ACT) is a non-profit trust formed in 2013 to provide a platform and enabling environment for creative young persons in Nigeria through literature and arts. The ACT prize is awarded to a short story by any writer between the ages of 16 and 26, who is a resident in Nigeria.
Deadline: 10th January 2024. | Prize: N100,000
Guidelines:
Previously published work is not eligible for the ACT award.
Submissions should be made by e-mail only to awelecreativetrust@gmail.com.
Only one story per author will be considered in any one year.
Submissions should include a cover note with the name, date of birth, e-mail address and telephone number of the author.
Only fictional work is eligible.
Works must be between 2,500 and 5,000 words.
Works translated into English from any Nigerian languages are eligible. Should such a work win, N40,000 of the prize money will go to the translator.
A longlist will be announced in February, and a shortlist of five will be announced in March. A winner will be announced in April 2024.
2. 2025 Sprinng Writing Fellowship (Info Session)
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. This fellowship focuses on 4 genres of literature: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Book Review.
This panel session, including alumni from the program and Sprinng’s staff, will answer all your questions to ensure you submit a successful application.
Date: 12th January 2025, 5pm WAT | Prize: Free session
Things to note:
The Sprinng Writing Fellowship is only open to writers (18-25) who have not published a book before (eBook/hardcopy).
Register for the session here.
3. Call for Submissions: 34 Orchard
34 Orchard is the literary journal that delights in exploring what haunts us all. They publish biannual issues with tales of terror, tales of unrest, tales of sadness. For their Spring issue, they are seeking dark, intense pieces that speak to a deeper truth.
Deadline: 15th January 2025 | Pay: $50
Things to note:
Short fiction from 1000 to 5000 words
Poetry any style or length.
Send fiction as an attachment in .doc or .docx.
Please send poetry as attachments, one poem per document, .doc or .docx format only. So if you have three poems, send each in a separate document.
Please ensure your name is on the actual document. If your name is not on the actual document, they will send you a rejection letter without reading the work.
Use Shunn formatting for fiction and Shunn formatting for poetry.
Cover Letter: Your name and contact info, the story/poem title, word count, if it’s a simultaneous submission, third person 100 word or fewer bio. Please paste your cover letter into the body of the email. Trigger warnings are not necessary; they publish dark stuff.
Email Subject Line should read: Submission: “Story Title,” Last Name or Submission: “Poem Title,” Last Name
Send to 34orchardjournal@gmail.com
4. Oxbelly Fiction Writers Program (June 2025)
The Fiction Writers program of the Oxbelly Retreat brings together writers from around the world for a week of literary and creative exchange, held at Costa Navarino in historic Messina, Greece. The Fiction Writers program will support ten emerging fictional prose writers committed to elevating their craft, strengthening their literary voice, and contributing to intercultural dialogues around storytelling. Fellows will engage in workshops and craft sessions led by acclaimed writers and industry leaders.
Deadline: 22nd January 2025, 11:59pm EET. | Prize: All expenses retreat
Things to note:
The retreat is divided into the following programs: Screenwriting Program, Episodic Writers Program, Fiction Writers Program.
The program will hold from June 28th to July 6th in Costa Navarino, Messinia, Greece.
The sole criteria is literary quality. To this end, they welcome work that is original in its vision, is written in an engaging voice, uses evocative language, experiments with form, and that is confident in its craft regardless of subject matter.
Please submit work that is refined, polished, and that reflects your truest potential as a writer.
5. Call for Submissions: Flavors of Youth
Culture Custodian is currently accepting submissions for the maiden edition of its magazine, The Custodian, in which contributors will be contextualizing the different experiences of young Nigerians while taking account of the global perspective in Flavors of Youth. They are looking for deeply analytical and engaging essays, fiction, criticism, profiles, features, interviews, reading lists, art, and book reviews on the issue.
Date: 24th January 2025, 11:59pm | Prize: Unstated amount
Things to note:
Word Count: 1,500 to 2,500
Language should be inclusive and relatable, speaking directly to the experiences of young people while maintaining an approachable tone, and providing accurate and well-researched information.
Adhere to standard American grammar rules but allow creative language use where appropriate. Use an active voice and avoid jargon.
Use topic-specific contractions, and slang appropriate to the discourse.
For Headlines and Subheadings: Use Bold, Sans serif fonts (e.g. Bebas Neue, Impact). Body: Use clean, legible fonts (e.g. Garamond) for easy readability.
Keep headlines short and to the point, ideally under 10 words. Use puns, alliteration, and questions to grab attention.
Images: Use high-resolution, engaging images that reflect the vibrancy of youth culture. Feature a wide range of models to reflect different backgrounds, body types, and styles. Incorporate fun and eye-catching graphics, memes, and illustrations to enhance visual appeal.
Ensure all information is fact-checked and up-to-date. Respect privacy and avoid sensationalism. Always attribute sources and obtain necessary permissions for images and quotes. Represent a broad spectrum of voices and perspectives. Avoid stereotypes and ensure content is inclusive.
Submissions should be made to submissions@culturecustodian.com with the subject line: Flavors of Youth.
6. Dread Central is Accepting Black History Month Pitches
Dread Central is seeking pitches from Black genre fans as part of our annual Black History Month programming. They are specifically looking for Black writers at any experience level to share their perspectives on the Horror genre. “If you have an idea about a specific movie, subgenre, filmmakers, books, graphic novels, an issue with a trend, or even about your experience as a horror fan in a genre that doesn’t always treat us with respect then we want to hear from you.”—D.C
Deadline: 24th January 2025 | Pay: $100
Things to note:
If your idea specifically references Black History Month, please include that in the initial pitch so they know it has to run in February and not later in the year.
Please note that your article does not need to mention Black History Month to be considered.
You can write about any horror film/TV series you are passionate about. “Do you love an underseen international film that you want to recommend to readers? Did you connect with a character in a horror comedy? Do you have thoughts about a recent release? Or maybe you want to make a case that a “horror adjacent” movie is actually a horror movie. Or do you want to rip apart this “elevated horror” business for good?”—D.C
You can submit multiple pieces.
To pitch, click this link and scroll down to fill the form.
7. Submit to Full House Literary
Full House Literary aims to give bold voices the chance to shine and encourage writers to take risks with their writing. They are a welcoming environment for all voices and all types of writing. The editor is looking for for “writing and art (poetry, prose, hybrid pieces, images, art, photos) that takes risks (ie experiments with form // spacing // language) or tells a story in a way I haven’t heard before (ie explores a narrative using unique metaphors, tone, similes, imagery)”—FH
Deadline: 24th January 2025, 11:59 GMT | Compensation: £5
Things to note:
Submit up to a maximum of 2 pieces. I will only read submissions that contain either one or two pieces.
Please do not submit previously published pieces. This includes pieces that are currently published in another live journal or magazine or book. If the journal or publication no longer exists, you are fine to send it. If it’s been published on your personal blog or social media account, that is also fine!
Submit text work in .docx or PDF format.
Visual art, images, and photography: submit images in the highest resolution possible and include a brief description of the piece for readers who use audio descriptions and alt-txt.
Size 12, Times New Roman (or equivalent) font unless you are submitting an experimental piece where a different font is vital to the work.
Poetry: up to 30 lines per poem (not including vertical white space).
Prose (microfiction, flash fiction) word count: up to 750 words (250-500 words preferred).
The work must be original and previously unpublished.
Simultaneous submissions are fine. Withdraw if accepted elsewhere.
For hybrid work, they are looking for a combination of prose or poetry with art, images or photography.
Email your submission to fullhouselitmag@gmail.com with the subject line FULL HOUSE ISSUE SUBMISSION. Your email should include a bio of up to 70 words. Please also include your social media handles in your email if you use social media.
For 2025, the issues will probably be fairly small with around 20-30 ish pieces accepted. “This is an incredibly small amount of pieces so if your piece isn’t accepted, please don’t feel too disheartened. Just because it wasn’t for me this time doesn’t mean there isn’t a fantastic home waiting for it elsewhere.”—Editor
8. Submit to The Paris Review
The Paris Review is a literary magazine, founded in 1953, featuring original writing, art, and in-depth interviews with famous writers. They are currently seeking poetry submissions.
Deadline: 31st January 2025 | Pay: Unstated amount
Things to note
All submissions must be in English and must be previously unpublished.
Translations are welcome and should be accompanied by a copy of the original.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed, as long as they are notified immediately if the manuscript is accepted for publication elsewhere.
Please submit no more than six poems and please do not submit more than once per submission period.
They suggest to all who plan to submit that they read the most recent issues of The Paris Review to acquaint themselves with material the magazine has published.
Submit your work here.
9. Culture Africa: Inaugural Issue
Culture Africa is a non-profit site for intercultural exchange based in Bad Homburg, Germany and Mombasa, Kenya, interested in African Culture, Literature, Art, Film, Theatre, Music, Food and History. For their inaugural issue, they are inviting submissions under the aforementioned themes. This issue will be curated by award-winning Kenyan writer, Frank Njugi.
Deadline: 31st January 2025 | Compensation: Unstated
Things to note:
Any African residing in Africa or overseas may submit.
Send a pitch of not more than 300 words, a short bio, and links to your previous works to Frank via njugifrancis254@gmail.com.
The subject of the email should be ‘Culture Africa Issue 1 Pitch – Category: Title of intended submission and name of contributor’ (E.g Culture Africa Issue 1 Pitch – Art: The Ancient Masks by James Philip)
Source: Writing Africa
10. Call for Submissions: Black Feminist Collective
The Black Feminist Collective is an intergenerational group of Black feminists and womanists who stand for Black liberation in its entirety. They are seeking essays, articles, interviews, artworks etc, from Black feminists and womanists, for their Spring 2025 publication.
Deadline: 21st February 2025 | Prize: Professional Consulting and Publication
Things to note:
Please provide your email address in order for them to work with you to edit your work before it’s published.
If the work you are submitting has been published before, please copy + paste a link to it was originally published, and they’ll cite it.
Pick at least one of the following sections in which you want your works to be published: Resource lists, Politics, Movements, Culture, Interviews and Conversations, Reflections and Personal Narratives.
Please provide a title and a description for each of your submissions. How do they connect to Black feminism and Black liberation?
Please provide and describe a content warning if needed.
Writings (including poetry, essays, and interviews) must be at least 75-100 words, and up to 4,750 words (excluding content warnings, cited references and bios).
Resource lists must be accompanied by a brief overview.
Both video essays and audio essays must be accompanied by a transcript, or be transcribed before it’s published. If you’re submitting video essays to the submissions form, please only upload the transcript.
If the artwork is you’re submitting is a picture of someone else, you must also have their written consent to be photographed and featured in order for it to be published—please confirm this with them!
Upload at least one picture per submission.
Please give credit to the creator(s) of the image you are uploading.
If you’re submitting your writings, and you don’t want to upload an image, you can pick one of your favorite quotes to appear at the top of your published work. View this example.
For more information, click here.
11. Submit to Lọúnlọún
Lọúnlọún is a a literary journal focused on historical fiction based on historical events that have shaped and defined places and times in Africa. “We are interested in speculative or factual tellings of African history centred on themes across Economics, Society & Politics, Gender & Feminism, Hope & Healing, Identity & Belonging, and War, Conflicts, & Disaster..” —L
Deadline: 2nd March 2025 | Pay: None
Things to note:
African writers, and those of African descent, home and abroad.
They accept only fiction. Word count is 2000 – 4000.
Only original pieces will be considered. Previously published pieces and excepts from a larger body of work are not accepted.
Submissions should be in EB Garamond, size 12, 1.5-spaced, and submitted in Word document format with word count included.
Submissions should be in English or translated into English. Writers are, however, allowed creative freedom with the expression of their languages.
Submissions must be based on an event that has happened on or affected the continent, regardless of where characters in the telling are located.
Submissions must contain a brief historical setting description (max. two sentences) formally describing the historical events in telling.
Submissions must have at least two reference links to the historical events in telling.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, please reach out to withdraw your work if accepted elsewhere.
Ensure your submissions are meticulously reviewed for correct formatting, grammar, and punctuation. Significant mistakes in these areas can hinder the likelihood of your work being considered for publication.
To submit your work, send an email to submissions@lounloun.com with the subject ‘Fiction Submission.’ In the body of the email, include your third-person bio and theme, and attach the story. Please ensure the story has references and is in Word document format.
The review process may take 3-8 weeks after the deadline.
Prose of the Week
Olórò | Oyinloye Michael Oluwatomisin
I was never a fan of harmattan.
It was the most pointless season ever. Sure, the wind was calm and cold but also dry. And the dust, how could I forget about the dust? My nose wasn't built to withstand dry air and dust at the same time.
As if on cue, I sneezed with my whole body, startling the bystanders and passersby. The wind suddenly picked up, and I wasn't ready for it. I shivered and adjusted my hoodie, along with my jacket.
A brown, worn-out piece of paper drifted lazily in the air. It caught my attention momentarily. It was a poster. A wanted poster…
Poetry of the Week
Portrait of an Autoscopic Epiphany | Precious Chidera Harrison
November 17th, 2023, after an accident at CKC flyover, Port Harcourt in Rivers state, Nigeria.
I
After the incident, I awoke partly outside my skin,
cowering and teetering on the brink of light.
Straddling the edge, I leaned against the ledge
of a limbo: one leg flailing in the wind, the other
gasping, like a drowning bird, inside my blood…
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Su wa su uvau chere, oiza uhu va ra inan (whatever you lay your hands on, may it be fruitful —Egbira, Northcentral Nigeria)
I love the prose for the week... It's really very interesting