The longlist for the inaugural CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa has been unveiled, showcasing the diverse and talented voices that define the vibrant publishing landscape across the continent.
“This inaugural edition had 85 titles from 45 publishers across 10 countries in Africa,” said a statement by the organisers. Submissions, according to the statement, were received in English, Portuguese, Swahili and French, showcasing the rich array of voices and stories that define African publishing.
The breadth of subjects and storytelling on display is a testament to the richness and dynamism of African publishing.
Among the longlisted titles are Richard Calland and Mabel Sithole’s The Presidents… From Mandela to Ramaphosa, Leadership in the Age of Crisis from Penguin Random House SA, Pumla Dineo Gqola’s Female Fear Factory: Unravelling Patriarchy’s Cultures of Violence from Cassava Republic Press, and Abubakar Ibrahim’s When We Were Fireflies from Masobe Books.
The list also includes works of memoir, such as Habib Jaafar’s African Odyssey of a Lebanese Emigrant… An Autobiography of Sorts from Bookcraft Limited, and fiction from authors like Leye Adenle, whose The Beautiful Side of the Moon is published by Ouida Books.
The CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa aims to shine a spotlight on the rich diversity of African literature and to support the continent’s publishing industry. The shortlist will be announced in the coming weeks, and the winner will be revealed at a gala ceremony in October.
