Call for Submission: Farafina Wants New Nigerian Writing

New Nigerian Writing is hosted by the ABC Literary Cafe at The Life House, and Kachifo Limited, publishers of Farafina Books. This event will provide an opportunity for emerging Nigerian writers to showcase their work and be exposed to critique and feedback from established writers.

Emerging writers are requested to submit any piece of prose of no more than 5,000 words. Thirty pieces will be selected from the submissions, and the writers will be invited to read five minutes of their work during the event. Our panel of distinguished writers will be on hand to critique their work on both days of the event. The thirty selected pieces will be subject to further editing and review by both the panel and Kachifo Limited, and the top fifteen will be included in an e-book of short stories to be released later in 2012. The stories not selected for publication in the short story collection will be published on the Farafina blog. The closing date for submission is February 5, 2011.

The New Nigerian Writing readings will be held at The Life House, 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, off Younis Bashorun Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The dates are February 10 and February 24; the time is 6pm.

Submissions should be sent by email to shortstories@kachifo.com. All submissions should include the name, phone number and email address of writers. Selected writers should be available to read their work at the events, or have a representative available to read on their behalf.

February...the Month of Love

This month is very special for us Bookaholics. First of all, it's the month of love - don't you just love all the sweet words, sweet chocolate, sweet everything! And what is even sweeter is that we'll be celebrating our 3rd birthday woot woot! We have some exciting things planned, so keep visiting and get your friends, colleagues and even enemies (it's the month of love, remember) to join in the fun!

 Here are excerpts two goodies from Nigerian writer Kiru Taye to get you in the mood ;)

In the season of love, who can escape unscathed.
A Valentine Challenge  is a contemporary romance novella set in Enugu, Nigeria. It’s the story of ex-soldier Micheal Ede and socialite Kasie Bosa. It will be released in ebook format January 30, 2012.
Read the blurb.
Read an excerpt.

 Has the hunter become the hunted?
His Strength is the next book in the Men of Valor historical romance mini-series and features the story of Ikem and Nneka. It is set in pre-colonial Igboland. It will be released in ebook format February 10, 2012.
Read the blurb.
Read an excerpt.

Visit Kiru Taye’s website for more details.

Africa Reading Challenge

We are definitely excited about the Africa Reading Challenge by Kinna Reads ;we encourage all Bookaholics to take part. Also please send your reviews, suggestions, reading lists and news to us for possible publication. We are a click away: bookaholicblog@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Challenge Period

January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012

Region

The entire African continent, including its island-states, which are often overlooked. Please refer to this Wikipedia “list of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa”. Pre-colonial empires and regions are also included.

Reading Goal

5 books.  That’s it.  There will be no other levels.  Of course, participants are encouraged to read more than 5 books.  Eligible books include those which are written by African writers, or take place in Africa, or are concerned with Africans and with historical and contemporary African issues. Note that at least 3 books must be written by African writers.

Genres

Fiction – novels, short stories, poetry, drama, children’s books.  Note: You can choose to read a number of individual and uncollected short stories.  In this case, 12 such stories would constitute 1 book.  Individual poems do not count but books of poetry do.
Non-fiction – memoirs, autobiographies, history and current events

Reading Suggestions

• Cover at least two regions, pick from North Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa and Central Africa
• Include translated fiction from Arabic, Francophone and Lusophone literature
• You can mix classic and contemporary fiction
• If you are intend to read mostly non-fiction, then please include at least one book (out of the five) of fiction

For the novice, if you have not read any African lit or if you’ve read one book (E.g. Achebe’sThings Fall Apart):  I would advise a mix of at least two regions, two languages, classic and contemporary, with both male and female writers.  A sample reading list could be:

• Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih (North Africa, Arabic, classic)
• Maps by Nuruddin Farah (East Africa)
• Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Southern Africa, contemporary)
• So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba (West Africa, classic, Francophone)
• Zoo City by Lauren Beukes (Southern Africa, contemporary, modern fantasy)

For the advanced reader of African literature:  perhaps there is some gap (country, region, language, theme, gender)  you want to fill or author(s) whose works you want to explore further?

You could also, for example:

• Read only collection/anthologies of short stories
• Stick to the literary tradition of one country
• Read only Lusophone literature
• Explore the literature of contemporary South Africa
• Read the books of North African countries of the Arab Spring
• Read wherever the urge takes you!

My suggestions notwithstanding, the most important thing is to have fun and to explore Africa through books.

Other Details

1. Overlap with other challenges is allowed.
2. E-books and audio books are allowed.
3. There is no need to make a list beforehand.  Although most of us love lists, don’t we?

To Sign up:

For those with blogs:  write a post on your blog about the challenge (with or without your list) and sign-up with the Mr Linky below using the direct URL of your sign-up post.

For those without blogs:  you can sign-up with your social media profile (Twitter, YouTube, Goodreads, Facebook or Shelfari).  Please make sure to use the URL of your profile page.  Alternatively, you can leave a comment  indicating  your intention to participate.

Reviews and Completion of Challenge

Reviews of books read are not required but are encouraged especially for those with blogs.  Please share your reviews with the rest of community the on Reviews Page.  If you do not have a blog and would like to guest review on this blog, then please feel free to contact me.

Likewise, completion posts are encouraged and you can share those on the Completion Page.

On Books and Reading Lists

Some classic African literature can be hard to find.  Please check your libraries and use inter-library loans if you have access to such services.  You will be able to do this challenge with the books currently available on the market.

I will publish lists of reading materials under various themes every Friday until I tire of the process.  Please contact me at kinnareadsATgmailDOTcom if you need any help.

Let’s enjoy reading for the 2012 Africa Reading Challenge.

SPROUTERS Mentorship for Young Nigerian Girl Writers

SPROUTERS is an annual mentorship project, running from January to December, that was launched to groom young Nigerian girl writers on the art of creative writing. Through a maximum mentorship ratio of 1:5, girls between the ages of ten and eighteen will have their creative talents harnessed by experienced female writers. SPROUTERS is non-profit, therefore is free.

OUR MISSION: To empower young Nigerian girls who aspire to become writers through online mentorship under experienced Nigerian female authors.

OUR TARGET: Our annual target is to coach fifty (50) girls between the ages ten to eighteen on the art of creative writing.

HOW WE DO IT: Through one-on-one bi-monthly online mentoring, young Nigerian girls resident in Nigeria, who have a passion for creative writing, are trained on the techniques and insights for great writing in all genres by published Nigerian women writers. Mentors and protégés individually meet online twice a month (the specific dates are to be agreed upon between the mentors and protégés). The mentorship program is designed for the mentors to give the protégés assignments on each meeting, alternating between writing and reading exercises.

OUR GOALS:

• To teach a robust set of writing and critical analysis skills
• To direct the protégés towards great literary works of fiction and encourage them to understudy these writings
• To raise an awareness of domestic and global issues affecting women and girls, and encourage the protégés to write about these issues that are holding them down or had held down any woman they know
• To introduce protégés to a wide range of writing genres
• To encourage the protégés to explore and develop their creative writing talents
• To nurture the protégés and promote healthy behaviours and life choices through positive mentoring relationships with women writers
• To assist the budding writers in their path to publication by editing their works;  where a protégés wishes to enter for competitions, her mentor will help her edit the work before submission
• To feature exceptional writings by protégés in online literary sites
• To inspire girls to pursue careers in writing
• To equip the protégés with communication tools to confidently navigate the challenges they face
• To produce a circle of writers who will help each other along the way to building a writing career. While writing is a solitary mission, no good writer ever creates a work of repute alone.

IN THE FUTURE: SPROUTERS will incorporate literary workshop and publication of anthologies.
Application for mentorship is an all-year thing, however, final list of protégés are complied by November of the previous year. To apply, please click here. Don’t forget to pay very close attention to the instructions.
Protégés are selected STRICTLY on referral basis. Members of Naija Stories are eligible to refer candidates, but it is very important that they refer those who are known to them. 


Please, note: In other not to indirectly cause school rules to be violated, we only seek protégés who are day-students.

For more information about SPROUTERS, click here. Do like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Calls for Submission: Commonwealth Foundation

The Commonwealth Foundation is inviting filmmakers from across the Commonwealth to submit an idea for a short film about relationships. Individual filmmakers or collectives should submit a proposal which explores the theme of love in its broadest sense, whether inter-racial, inter-generational or within and between the sexes. The theme should be relevant to the filmmaker and their community.

We’re looking for original, bold and authentic films in any genre which entertain as well as stimulate and encourage debate both locally and globally.

Deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2012 (5pm GMT)

Click here for more details.

Book ‘n’ Gauge 8TH EDITION: AN AFTERNOON WITH BOBO OMOTAYO

The 8th edition of the monthly book reading: Book ‘n’ Gauge would be coming up on the 28th of January. The literary event organized by PulpFaction Book club is aimed at creating a platform where reading is seen as hip and cool. Making use of new media, PulpFaction Book Club brings together lovers of the literary arts, authors and publishers to engage in no-holds barred discussions, in an atmosphere of conviviality.
The monthly book reading also affords literary enthusiasts the opportunity to not only talk about books they love and have read but they also get to buy books at affordable prices at the venue of the reading which takes place at Debonairs Bookstore, 294 Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba.

Book ‘n’ Gauge is not an event of literary arts only, as the performing arts is also featured at the readings, attendees are treated to good acoustic music as well as creatively woven spoken word (poetry).

In the Past

PulpFaction Book Club has hosted authors likes of Lola Shoneyin, Jumoke Verissimo, Toni Kan, Jude Dibia, Sam Omatseye, Akachi Ezeigbo, Seye Oke, Joy Isi Bewaji and Odili Ujuobono; and performing artists like Plumbline, Efe Paul Azino (spoken word); Aduke, Ese Peters, Isibiama, DTone Martins and Ruby.



READING

The 8th edition tagged ‘An afternoon with Bobo Omotayo’, will feature this writer cum blogger reading to the audience from his book ‘London Life, Lagos Living.’ Bobo Omotayo is a bright and multi-talented specialist in communication with 9years experience; he is also known under the non de plume’ ‘The Renaissance Man’. He has also contributed as a columnist and freelance writer to several print and online
newspapers and magazines.



PERFORMANCES

Ndukwe Onuoha – Spoken Word

Performing at the first edition for the year 2012 would be Ndukwe Onuoha, a spoken word artiste who draws his inspiration from the many human stories that play themselves out daily, hence providing a unique
insight into the animal called MAN. A copywriter by day and a poet by design, Ndukwe has performed at some of Lagos’ most celebrated poetry circles like Anthill 2.0, Taruwa, and Freedom Hall whilst garnering
commendation for some of his works like, ‘puff, puff, pass, and Boom!’.

Ese Peters - Musician

Ese Peters has a knack for making beautiful music. A self-taught guitar player, He started out as a solo performer of the Alternative Rock/Soul genre after graduating from the university in 2008. A young man who sings from his heart, Ese carefully crafts his songs which come from his experiences and a wealth of influences, citing John Mayer as a major reason he decided to pursue music as a career. Ese puts an interesting spin on guitar-driven pop music.

The 8th Edition of the Book ‘n’ Gauge promises to be a mix of experience, fun and minds sparing with fellow lovers of the literary and performing arts.

DATE: Saturday, 28th January, 2012.

TIME: STRICTLY 2pm – 5pm

VENUE: Debonair Bookstore, 294, Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba.

Remember: Bring five friends and win a free book! Gifts are available for early birds too.

IN CONVERSATION with PROFESSOR KOLE OMOTOSO

The January edition of the Life House "In Conversation" series features acclaimed writer and intellectual, Kole Omotoso. In a moderated discussion with Tolu Ogunlesi, we'll delve into a discussion of his non fiction works in particular, Just Before Dawn and Achebe or Soyinka: A Study in Contrasts. The Life House audience will also be treated to exclusive first readings of excerpts from his forthcoming memoir, Witness to Possibilities.
Some of Omotoso's old works include "Achebe or Soyinka: A Study of Contrasts" will also be available to buy and to immortalize with the author's signature.

Date: Friday 27th January, 2012 from 5pm

Venue: The Life House, 33 Sinari Danijo, Off Younis Bashorun Street, Off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria