Modjaji Books has announced an open call for submissions for “Woordeloos,” a landmark anthology celebrating its 19th year of independent publishing. The collection will feature 19 poems from women across southern Africa, aiming to capture the “voices, craft, and courage” of a new generation of writers.
The project is inspired by the Elisabeth Eybers poem of the same name and is made possible through a donation from philanthropist Liliana Risi.
“We are marking Modjaji’s 19th birthday by publishing 19 exceptional poems,” said Colleen Higgs, publisher at Modjaji Books. “Woordeloos is an invitation: astonish us, give us language where language falters, and help us see the world anew.”
The anthology is open to women poets residing in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Selected contributors will receive a R1,000 honorarium and two contributor copies.
Submission Guidelines at a Glance
Eligibility – Women poets resident in Southern Africa
Poem Length – Maximum 25 lines
Language – Any Southern African language (with English translation)
Quantity – One poem per entrant
Deadline – March 31, 2026 (23:59 SAST)
How to Apply
The submission window opens on February 1, 2026. Modjaji Books is seeking original work that offers “words where words are hard to find.” While previously published poems will be considered (provided full permissions are granted), the use of AI-generated or AI-assisted content is strictly prohibited.
The editorial panel, featuring guest poets, will notify successful applicants in May 2026, with a formal publication and launch event scheduled for mid-year.
“Every poet needs someone to say: your voice matters, your work belongs in the world right now,” added Liliana Risi.
Interested writers can submit their work via the official Modjaji Books submission portal.
