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Recap 2025: Looking back on African and Black Literature.
We look back on a vibrant year of transitions, literary awards, festivals, publications, and essential conversations across African and Black literary communities, both on the continent and in the diaspora. Since 2016, our annual recap has become a tradition at Writing Africa. You can look at previous recaps here; 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019…
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Recap 2025: Literary Awards, Residencies, and Fellowships
As part of our 2025 recap, we list Literary Awards, Residencies, and Fellowships in African and Black Literature over the year. It was another year of overachieving writers of African descent as they grabbed awards, fellowships, and residencies on the continent and in the diaspora. While it cannot be compared to the heights of 2021,…
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2025 Recap: Literary Festivals, Colloquia, and Book Fairs
As part of our 2025 year-in-review, here is a rundown of the literary festivals, colloquia, and book fairs we tracked here at Writing Africa. We closely follow events that feature African writers, as these are vital spaces for engagement with readers. Following our 2024 recap, we continued this focus in 2025 by compiling a global list…
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Recap 2025: Books, Literary Magazines and Journals
As part of our 2025 year-in-review, here is a rundown of the literary magazines and journals, as well as books, we tracked here at Writing Africa. Literary Magazines and Journals Literary magazines and journals are a vital part of the literary ecosystem. They serve as essential platforms, especially for emerging writers, offering many their first experience…
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Writing Africa takes a break; to return in 2026
We here at Writing Africa are taking a break over the holiday period. Until then, please have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026.
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International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2026 Longlist Announced
Here are the African writers on the longlist of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2026, announced on Monday, December 15, 2025. The International Prize for Arabic Fiction rewards excellence in contemporary Arabic creative writing while encouraging the readership of high-quality Arabic literature through the translation and publication of winning and shortlisted novels in other…
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PEN America Elects Dinaw Mengestu As President
PEN America has elected novelist Dinaw Mengestu as its new president on Wednesday, December 17. He will begin a two-year term, succeeding author and LGBTQ+ activist Jennifer Finney Boylan. PEN America champions free expression, uniting writers and readers to defend the freedom to write and speak out against censorship, both in the U.S. and globally,…
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US National Book Critics Circle Awards 2025 Longlists Announced
The US National Book Critics Circle has announced its 2025 award longlists. The lists were revealed from December 15 to 19, 2025. Since 1974, the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) has honored the best books published in English in the United States across six categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Poetry, and Criticism. Finalists are nominated…
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Book Digest: Amon Chizema, Yejide Kilanko, Brionni Nwosu, Marvellous Michael Anson
Our regular Book Digest segment spotlights new books by Amon Chizema, Yejide Kilanko, Brionni Nwosu, and Marvellous Michael Anson. The Land Remembers by Amon Chizema Publisher: Troubador PublishingPublication Date: November 28, 2025Genre: FictionLanguage: EnglishWhere to find it: Troubador Publishing Amon Chizema Amon Chizema, who was born and bred in Zimbabwe, is a Professor of Corporate…
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UK’s Royal Society of Literature Announces 2025 International Writers
The UK’s Royal Society of Literature announced its latest group of International Writers on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The Royal Society of Literature was founded to “reward literary merit and excite literary talent” in the United Kingdom in 1820. One of its awards is its International Writers Award, which recognises the contribution of writers across…
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Prix National Cénacle du Livre Senegal 2025 finalists announced
Prix National Cénacle du Livre Senegal 2025 finalists were announced in Dakar on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The Prix National du Cénacle, one of Senegal’s most prestigious literary awards, is organized by the Cénacle de la Littérature Sénégalaise, an association of Senegalese writers, critics, and academics dedicated to promoting Senegalese literature. The first winners, Tabara…
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Maaza Mengiste Supports PEN International’s Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2025
Maaza Mengiste has lent her voice to PEN International’s Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2025 campaign by writing a letter of solidarity to Venezuelan journalist and activist Rory Branker. The Day of the Imprisoned Writer is an annual initiative established by PEN International to show solidarity with writers, poets, journalists, and publishers who are jailed,…
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Hausa International Book and Arts Festival 2025 to Begin December 19
The Hausa International Book and Arts Festival (HIBAF) returns for its 2025 edition in Abuja, Nigeria, from December 19–20. This year’s theme is “Knowledge Production(s).” Founded and curated by Sada Malumfashi, the festival showcases contemporary African literature, poetry, music, art, film, and theatre in Hausa. First held in Kaduna in 2021, it has since become…
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Kenyan Author Meja Mwangi Has Passed Away
Kenyan author Meja Mwangi passed away in Malindi on Thursday, December 11, 2025. He was 76. Born David Dominic Mwangi in Nanyuki on December 27, 1948, Mwangi was educated at Nanyuki Secondary School and Kenyatta College, followed by brief studies at the University of Leeds. He began his career working for the French Broadcasting Corporation…
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Book Digest: Nadia Davids, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Lolá Ákínmádé, Hussain Ahmed
Our regular Book Digest segment spotlights new books by Nadia Davids, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Lolá Ákínmádé, and Hussain Ahmed. Cape Fever By Nadia Davids Publisher: Simon & SchusterPublication Date: December 9, 2025Genre: FictionLanguage: EnglishWhere to find it: Simon & Schuster Nadia Davids Nadia Davids is an acclaimed South African playwright, novelist, academic, and former President of…
