KhalozaBooks

Are we ready!!!!!

LITERARY ACTIVISM WINNER

Conngratulations to Puseletso Motsemedi!

For the month of July 2024, in memory of the 67 years Nelson Mandela fought for social justice, we asked our continent to stand for something - through words. We asked you to share a social issue that mattered to you, to prompt awareness and action in making a difference. Our winner Puseletso wrote a moving essay titled ‘ Four Rooms of Abuse’, bringing attention to abuse in all its forms, through several generations.

Congratulations Puseletso, your work made a difference to us and we look forward to all our readers appreciating your talent by reading your essay [attached to post].

Winners getting announced 2nd August!

July 2024 is all about standing for something - through words. We all have opinions we share everyday, so we are calling writers of all backgrounds (lyrics, poetry, short stories, blogs, comic illustrations, captioned art and more) to share a social issue that matters to you, and should matter to the world. Help us capture 67 minutes of literary activism that needs to be seen and heard. Use any medium you wish to capture your message - you can send a TikTok/Instagram/FB video, audio file, written submission etc., any source you feel best amplifies what you stand for. All ages welcome. Prizes up for grabs. Email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp/Call on 072 947 9874 for more info or to submit your work.


Nelson Mandela

BOOK REVIEW: being a diplomat and living in another country forces you to get to understand the culture, history, economy and politics. And what better way to celebrate that experience than through writing children's books!!

Ambassador Ruby Marks is a feminist and career diplomat, and has written two children's books about the countries where she served - Sri Lanka and now Benin.

Her first "Tell us our story, Grandma" (2020) is about the slave trade, but the lesser known story of African slaves taken to the East, in particular Sri Lanka.

""Girls, We Can!" (2023) is set in Benin, and through the eyes of a young girl, explores the story of the Agodjie, the women warriors of the Dahomey Empire.

Cultural diplomacy is an important part of the work of diplomats, and these two beautifully illustrated and written books certainly hit the mark. It also contributes to the growing body of children's and YA books, telling African stories by African writers.

Looking forward to more!!

We’re working on the 2024 African Small Publishers Catalogue (it's the 6th edition) which we aim to publish by October. You can be a part of it.

This invaluable reference book lists over 60 small and independent publishers from across Africa, including countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Nigeria, Togo, Mauritius, Mozambique, Morocco, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Algeria, South Africa, and Namibia. Countries outside of Africa that list their work in African publishing include Canada, Germany, the UK, the US, Switzerland, and France.

The catalogue provides contact details for these publishers but also features articles which offer insights into the challenges and experiences of small publishers in Africa. It serves as a valuable resource for publishers, writers, librarians, booksellers, NGOs involved in promoting reading, literacy and African Publishing.

Please get in touch if you would like to be listed or take out an advert. Affordable prices for every pocket. If you have an idea for an article for the catalogue please pitch either by DM or by emailing me at [email protected]

July 2024 is all about standing for something - through words. We all have opinions we share everyday, so we are calling writers of all backgrounds (lyrics, poetry, short stories, blogs, comic illustrations, captioned art and more) to share a social issue that matters to you, and should matter to the world. Help us capture 67 minutes of literary activism that needs to be seen and heard. Use any medium you wish to capture your message - you can send a TikTok/Instagram/FB video, audio file, written submission etc., any source you feel best amplifies what you stand for. All ages welcome. Prizes up for grabs. Email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp/Call on 072 947 9874 for more info or to submit your work.


Nelson Mandela

12 years and one day. An evolving tale of many seasons. The book launch for Daughters was a fundraiser for the Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre. When it comes to gender violence, we have come a long way, we have far to go.

Comedy Author Book Review: 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah. In the spirit of comedy month April, we start by showcasing Africa's most successful comedian. His novel reads like a stand up comedy set that takes you on a autobiographical whirlwind of laughs, documenting Trevor's upbringing as a mixed race child in post apartheid South Africa. His ability to find humour in his struggles and triumph both with resilience and a smile reminds us all to not take ourselves too seriously, and make time to laugh in the face of adversity. Trevor Noah thank you, a smile can be a real game-changer.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Spread a smile by sharing your favourite African authors with us in the comments!

To kickstart our African Comedy Month (April) - where we showcase the African comedy genre by profiling authors, sharing reviews, competitions etc. We begin by sharing a weekly stand-up comedy night hosted by The Bioscope Independent Cinema, an independent cinema based in Braamfontien Johannesburg. Every Sunday they host stand-up comedy from 18:00; for only R120 you can enjoy local and international comedians. It is a fantastic way to end the week, and you can enjoy laughs whilst munching on their signature pizzas!
Book in advance at www.thebioscope.co.za

Zinet Kemal, is an immigrant from Ethiopia, a mother of four, a career changer from the legal field, a multi-award-winning cybersecurity advocate, and author of 3 award-winning children’s books.

Happy April! This month we celebrate the African comedy genre! We will showcase book reviews, author profiles, competitions, tips for aspiring comedic authors and more! Are you an African comedy author, editor or enthusiast? Share your insights, work or knowledge with our followers (email: [email protected]/Whatsapp 0729479874).




AFRO-Freedom Book Club

Event alert: 19 March 2024!
Tshwane Authors Association, in collaboration with the Es'Kia Mphahlele Library, is hosting a special event to celebrate Library Week. The theme of the event emphasizes the role of libraries in fostering social cohesion and healing communities through the power of literature. The purpose of the event is to inspire and encourage writers of all backgrounds to continue writing, to motivate aspiring writers to start their writing journey, and to invite those on the sidelines to actively engage in the literary community.
Find out more from Tshego on +27 82 846 8170

Happy International Women's Day! (8 March) Join us in celebrating African women in literature by sharing a reply of your favorite African female author and why. Feel free to share a picture of the publication, why it matters to you, and why it should be celebrated.
Prizes up for grabs until Sunday 10 March! Help us celebrate our African literacy gems with the world.

Image credit: Canva

International book giving day (14th Feb) was a huge success at Thembalethu Primary School in Soweto. The school hosted an incredible school pageant dedicated to celebrating learners for their intelligence, smarts and inner beauty, with the winners receiving donated Her Story books!
To all schools hosting initiatives focused on reading, writing or wishing to collaboratewith us on a literacy program, do not hesitate to contact us.

14th February is International Book Giving Day! We are dedicating this week to sharing the love - of words. You can either give the gift of reading to others by sharing pictures of a book giving initiative you have done for a school, group, charity, library etc. or send us a romantic poem, love note or story of your own creation, and win an African authored book of your choice! All ages and African nationalities welcome.
Email: [email protected] or Whatsapp/call us on +21729479874 for entries and info.

Romance February is here!
Each month KhalozaBooks will select a book genre to focus on and celebrate. We will showcase strictly African books, author profiles/interviews, tips for aspiring authors, and more! So, all aspiring romance authors watch this space for romantic feeds this month. We also welcome all authors to ask us questions, send us their work to publish online, or just share ideas and suggestions to make the most of !
Email: [email protected] or message us!

New publication alert for 2024! Written by Bongiwe Maphosa, a young up and coming author who wants to be a part of the rising science fiction wave in Africa.

TEASER:
Set in the near future where infertility and under-population are rife, Elizabeth is on the precipice of adolescence when her world is set ablaze. A ruthless militant division, 'The Suns' are commissioned to erase the elderly and capture the Earth’s last hope; genetically engineered children. One such ‘Blue Baby’ is Elizabeth...

-fi

Bongi Maphosa

KhalozaBooks KhalozaBooks publishes and promotes Pan African books for children, teens and young adults