Join me in cape town, south africa to write your book. The publishers association of south africa aims to. Overseas, publishers often work exclusively through agents and will reject unsolicited. How to write a book in five easy steps writing courses in. Do you publish authors who are not living in south africa. In this fascinating history of the guardian, south africas famous antiapartheid newspaper, james zug tells the story of a political publication that not only reported events but also helped to shape. Her clients have won all the major south african literary awards, and. The publishers and distributors listed on this page are publishers and distributors in africa and around the world that either focus exclusively on africa related books or publish a significant number of books on africa each year. Black letter media publishes authors not only in south africa, but other african nations such as zimbabwe, uganda, kenya, tanzania and nigeria, among others. Literary agents for african writers african literary magazines. Jonathan ball publishers also act as agents for british and american publishers, marketing and distributing books on their behalf in southern africa. What does penguin books south africa look for in a manuscript.
Poetry publishers directory of south africa listing all 3 poetry publishers listed in the south african publishers directories page 1 of 1 of all the publishing companies in the directory of publishers of south africa that are listed under poetry publishers. Charlie carroll recently signed a deal with the esteemed paterson marsh literary agency, as a result of searching s database of over 850 literary agents. Sarah has been working with writers since 2009 and actively works with writers to complete and place a book. Originality, high writing standard and market appeal are therefore essential. The novel was published by umuzi in south africa at the. The online company was launched in october 1995 offering a wide range of editorial services, in the realm. You will be guided on your writing journey by writing coach sarah bullen. I work directly with writers and publishers in a session format.
Poetry publishers directory of south africa list of poetry. Between its founding in 1937 and its demise in 1963 upon being outlawed by south africa s apartheid government, the south african newspaper the guardian went by seven different names. Possibilities for fiction publishing on the continent have opened up beyond south africa, to kenya, nigeria, zimbabwe and uganda. Publishing rights for the raft, fred strydoms highly anticipated debut novel, have just been sold to skyhorse publishing in north america. Meetse a bophelo the water of life is a social entrepreneurship imprint of bk publishing that aims to foster a love for books and reading, as well as build literacy levels and empower currently disadvantaged communities in south africa. Isobel dixon is a director of the blake friedmann literary agency, where she represents writers from around the world. Meetse a bophelo the water of life is a social entrepreneurship imprint of bk publishing that aims to foster a love for books and reading, as well as build literacy levels and empower currently. Penguin books south africa is ultimately looking to publish books that will work within the south african trade book market. Find hundreds of literary agents and agencies in south africa. Morris says new writers often send in the first version of their manuscript. Or if you cant find a publisher interested in publishing your book. In august 2008 random house south africa and struik publishers announced their merger to create a significant new player in the african book publishing industry. Cover design the book cover will be designed by a professional book designer you will provide us with a creative brief of what you see as the front cover image and we will give you a. Poetry publishers directory of south africa listing all 3 poetry publishers listed in the south african publishers directories page 1 of 1 of all the publishing companies in the directory of publishers of.
Get the list of south africa literary aents in the pubmatch publishers directory. List of literary agents 20202021 book agents looking for. She is the publisher of the hot sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named publishing commentator of the year by digital book world in 2019. The novel was published by umuzi in south africa at the beginning of april, and was the subject of a multiparty auction, with skyhorse securing the rights just ahead of the london book fair. With a focus on publishing new african writers, black letter media, which was founded by duduzile zamantungwa mabaso in 2011, produces both print books and ebooks. Jonathan ball publishers is the leading publishers and distributors of english general books in south africa. South africa about blog uhlanga is a small poetry press based in cape town, south africa, committed to publishing new, experimental and classic works of southern african poetry. The unit is a component of the cultural development section whose strategic focus is the advancement of the economic potential of creative industries to contribute job creation, reduction of poverty and skills development. Yes but it is difficult to assess any proposal properly without reading any actual material, and it is unlikely that penguin books south africa would make any commitment to publish your book based only on a proposal. Have you studied how characters are developed, how plots are driven. Build your skills while making connections and listen when an agent tells you how he or she likes to be. The new company, known as random house struik pty ltd, brought together two of the countrys most prominent book publishers under the. Make sure you are well acquainted with what makes a. Poetry publishers directory of south africa list of.
Each publisher has its own manuscript submission requirements. In south africas small market, where even bestsellers do not equate to huge numbers of books sold. Childrens books may be shorter, but the rules of good writing still apply. Remove south africa filter to see all poetry publishers directory. The 10 best book publishers in kwazulu natal region. Companies that offer self publishing services and there are a few in south africa such as book lingo, reach publishers, quickfox, and porcupine press will offer different publishing packages usually upwards of r15k, depending on what you want. Book publishing in africa is a group for bookpublishing and bookselling professionals, as well as media professionals and authors with an interest in publishing and the book trade in africa. Before i write my book, can i send penguin books south africa a proposal to gauge interest in the topic. Promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of the publishing sector in south africa. Greg hamerton on writing finding a publisher for fiction. The project will include the primary school grades 17, in seven languages, namely.
In south africa, many publishers accept manuscripts directly from writers. For example, you can use the list to find literary agencies and publishing agents in nyc, literary agencies and book agents in california, and more. List of literary agents 20202021 book agents looking. But it also means that you have to take responsibility for the. Sarah bullen is an international writing coach and mentor. Her clients have won all the major south african literary awards, and authors on her list have, among others, won the windham campbell prize, the commonwealth prize, and pen awards, and have been shortlisted for the man booker international prize, the man asian literary prize. African books collective and the dag hammarskjold foundation organised the africanwriters publishers seminar in tanzania in 1998. Book publishing in africa is a group for book publishing and bookselling professionals, as well as media professionals and authors with an interest in publishing and the book trade in africa. A boutique literary agency, van aggelen african literary agency only receive queries. Many agents speak at writers programs, book festivals, and conferences, like romance writers of americas annual conference. In the second part of the made in africa series, i am talking to a few publishers and platforms that promote african publishing in the above countries. Literary agent isobel dixons passions span africa and beyond. Higgs, also wrote a rough guide to smallscale and selfpublishing 2005, centre for the book and the south african small publishers catalogue edited with maire fisher, 2006, centre for the book has consistently championed smallscale, self and independent publishing in south africa.
How to find a literary agent for your book jane friedman. We are dedicated to our writers in all aspects of their careers, and are committed to fostering and supporting both established and emerging writers. Morris says you should take a look at the kinds of books publishers deal with. Please select a country afghanistan albania algeria american samoa andorra angola anguilla antarctica antigua and barbuda argentina armenia aruba australia austria azerbaijan. How i got a literary agent an interview with author adrienne schwartz. You can inquire at your local colleges, libraries, civic centers, etc. Pasa is the largest publishing industry body in south africa, and is committed to creativity, literacy, the free flow of ideas and encouraging a culture of reading. How to write a book in five easy steps by stephen l.
The online company was launched in october 1995 offering a wide range of editorial services, in the realm of writing, editing and publishing. Sarah has been working with writers since 2009 and actively works with. No large publisher takes work seriously unless it comes to them via a literary agent, so you do need that seal of approval. You have spent many hours working on your book and to neglect having it structurally edited, and not having the production and printing done by professionals, can prove to be a big disappointment for many self published authors. Use a written proposal submitted by email check the publishers website for guidelines on. Self publish of extreme importance for any writer who selfpublishes their book is the quality of the end product. We specialise in south african history, politics and current affairs. In the second part of the made in africa series, i am talking to a few. We will arrange your isbn from the national library of south africa, and will also have it generated as a barcode for the back cover of the book. Morris says nonfiction is easier to publish in south africa, as the authors will generally. If you want to find publishers or literary agents in south africa, please contact pasa, the publishers association of south africa 0217629083. The publishers details are at the end of the article. South africa literary agents literary agencies in south africa.
The project is a direct response to the lack of suitable, accessible and affordable reading material. The south african writers network sawn, based in south africa, is a global service provider. Companies that offer selfpublishing services and there are a few in south africa such as book lingo, reach publishers, quickfox, and porcupine press will offer different publishing packages usually. But it also means that you have to take responsibility for the success of your book, and while this can seem daunting to new authors, again in our small market, individuals have relatively easy access to. Major african writers and publishers hammered out a new deal for. The people who stand between you and admittance to the promised land of traditional publishing. In an interview with polity sa, snyckers was asked whether a male writer has the. In south africas small market, where even bestsellers do not equate to huge numbers of books sold, selfpublishing makes financial sense. She works with writers as well as publishers to get you to write a book that is publishab.
Interested in literary fiction, childrens writing and thoughtprovoking. Her clients have won all the major south african literary awards, and authors on her list. She lives in cape town, south africa but works globally. You may want to write a nonfiction book to expand your career. Please note that this is not a writers write project. Childrens chapter books much like with picture books, were looking for sophisticated chapter books from local authors that breathe imagination, curiosity, and depths of fun. The department of arts and culture established the books and publishing unit in 2004.
Also, traditional publishers will pocket most of the profit. After 15 years of coaching authors, writing and editing books, sarah will guide you through the journey from the idea, to publication. We prefer to look at picture book submissions with at least reference illustrations, and submissions without illustrations will not stand as good a chance as those with. Apr 14, 2015 isobel dixon is a director of the blake friedmann literary agency, where she represents writers from around the world. Ive often sold south african writers first in france, germany or. Includes all literary agents currently active in the uk.
The point of a book is to supply a reader with useful ideas or information or literary art or good entertainment. I didnt bother with any south african publishers at first, i planned to use them only if i had no success in the uk or usa. A stepbystep guide to getting your book published anywhere. Books and publishing department of sports, arts and culture. Higgs, also wrote a rough guide to smallscale and selfpublishing 2005, centre for the book and the south african small publishers catalogue edited with maire fisher, 2006, centre for the book has. Publish a book with penguin penguin books south africa. Electronic versions of your full manuscript should be in one file and not separate chapters. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success. A few tips on getting published exclusive books blog. How to get published pasa publishers association of south africa. If you want to find publishers or literary agents in south africa, please contact pasa, the publishers association of south africa 0217629083 and look for publishers there. A small agency, we offer individualised care and personal attention.