We’ve been busy and we couldn’t be happier. We have enjoyed book launches, panels, and literary festivals galore. So after a hectic few months, we want to share our news and new titles with you.
THE AFRICAN SMALL PUBLISHERS CATALOGUE
Modjaji Books is excited to announce that the 6th edition of the African Small Publishers Catalogue will be available in October 2024. The catalogue contains a selection of listings of companies’ details, articles considering the publishing industry and writing, and adverts that inform of booksellers, artists, and literacy organisations doing fantastic work.
We’ve included an array of independent publishers and literary organisations across the continent, this catalogue is an invaluable resource for publishers, writers, librarians, booksellers, and NGOs involved in promoting reading, literacy and African Publishing.
We’re grateful to all those who are listed, and have taken out adverts, and sponsored pages. There is still time to sponsor a page for R500 if you would like to support this valuable work.
Out in October, you can pre-order here on our website.
There will also be an eBook version made available.
WE MADE THE CANEX AFRICAN PUBLISHING PRIZE LONGLIST
We’re so excited to announce that Ashti Juggath’s Peaches and Smeets is featured on the 2024 Canex Prize’s Longlist. The CANEX Prize celebrates African publishing achievements and “aims to promote a vibrant literary culture across Global Africa and encourage the development of a sustainable business ecosystem in the literary sector”.
We are so proud of Ashti Juggath and Peaches and Smeets. Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed it and supported us.
Life & Writing: A Conversation with authors Dr Elizabeth Peter-Ross & Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa
Modjaji and Blown Away by Books are excited to announce an upcoming event with two amazing authors, Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa and Dr Elizabeth Peter-Ross, in which they will discuss life and writing with Colleen Higgs.
To catch this exciting conversation, visit the Fishhoek Library on the 21st September at 9:30 am. Tea and snacks will be available as well as books and raffle tickets.
You can find a copy of Ross’ non-fiction work Ribbons of Love here.
You can find a copy of Kabali-Kagwa’s memoir Flame and Song here.
3..2..1..LIFT OFF! OUR SUCCESSFUL MODJAJI BOOK LAUNCHES:
We’ve had some amazing launches and gatherings these past few months. A special thanks goes out to Exclusive Books Cavendish, who has been instrumental in hosting and making us feel welcome.
through a dragonfly eye by Jenny Hobbs
With thirteen books and miles of printed column inches under her belt, writer Jenny Hobbs, co-founder of the Franschhoek Literary Festival, has finally put her own life stories and experiences into words in a quintessentially South African memoir that engages, educates and entertains.
Launched at Exclusive Books, Cavendish, at the beginning of June, the memoir became a top seller that week.
As part of her launch, the Franschhoek Literary Festival founder sat down to chat with Nancy Richards about life, writing, and making magic. To get inside the mind of a South African literary figurehead, you can enjoy the interview here. She was also featured by News24, and you can find that interview and extract here.
A moving account of growing up and coming of age in mid-twentieth century South Africa. The book is full of insight and humour, a tenderness and love for her family and country shines through the pages.
You can grab a copy of the book here.
Moving On by Barbara Ludman
“A collection of ten witty, tightly written and upbeat short stories about people making new beginnings after significant losses (the death of their partners, home invasions, etc) set in the upmarket northern suburbs of Johannesburg, like Parkview. Filled with memorable characters and incidents.”
Barbara Ludman’s short story collection, Moving On was released in July of this year. Launched at Love Books in Joburg and in Cape Town, Anton Harber (prolific South African journalist) flew down especially to be in conversation with Barbara. In honour of Barbara’s journalistic legacy as founder of the Mail & Guardian and her notable body of work, the event was a Who’s Who of people who worked for the Mail & Guardian over many decades.
This launch has been accompanied by press momentum and Barbara has done several exciting interviews and articles. She talked to the Daily Maverick about her collection and her inspiration for writing which is available here, accompanied by an excerpt from Moving On. She has also been reviewed by News24 and featured by the Mail & Guardian.
Centred in Johannesburg and Parkview, the collection is a fiercely intimate exploration of stories rooted in the South African urban landscape. Having lived in Johannesburg for years, Barbara’s examination of the local is tinged by her journalistic background – her descriptions and characters are full of life and reality.
“The characters write the stories. Sometimes I have no idea where the stories are going but the characters do, and I have to run to keep up with them.
THE RIVER PEOPLE: BARBARA FAIRHEAD’S ARTISTIC REFLECTION
A compelling hybrid memoir, Hands-On Book’s The River People was successfully launched on the 30th July at a celebratory event hosted by Exclusive Books, Cavendish and made available at the recent McGregor Poetry Festival.
Fairhead has, as Plainsman journalist Karen Watkins phrases it, ‘launched a book inspired by a dream’ which is a “revelation of poetry [and] art”. An exploration of many artistic disciplines, The River People integrates reflection, quotations, stories, and teachings to create a work of deep sensitivity and reverence for the depths of life, dreams, and communion.
Including photographs of the art 
that inspires the writing, this book is a beautiful balance of the visual and the literary.
in wild places
always close to water
That’s all she said-“You can grab a copy of the book here.
OUR BOOK CLUB RECOMMENDATIONS
We have some new titles we think you would love. They’re hot off the press and freshly launched, so check them out below and let us know what you think.
In the shadows/Innie Shadows by Olivia M Coetzee
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Olivia at her panel ‘Dystopian Realities’.
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The English edition of In the Shadows is officially out! Successfully launched at the Open Book Festival this past weekend, author Olivia Coetzee also spoke on the two panels. ‘Living Dystopian Realities’ dissected the nuances of creating fictional worlds which reflect reality, and in ‘Life is Cheap’ the topic of writing poverty was explored.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Crime fiction, LGBTQ+
Innie shadowswroeg met die duiwels van ’n gemeenskap wat gebuk gaan onder die maatskaplike euwels van dwelms, onverdraagsaamheid en homofobie, en waar paaie te midde van wrede brutaliteit kruis. Baanbrekersfiksie waarin die onteiendes uiteindelik hul eie stories vertel.
A taut and unsparing novel about a community plagued by violence, drugs, corruption, and prejudice —but where love and justice prevail. (Translated into English from the original Kaaps).
Grab the English copy here.
Imprint Africa: Conversations with African Women Publishers
IMPRINT AFRICA is a collection of interviews that chronicles the work of a new network of female intellectuals and activists who have tra
nsformed African publishing across the twenty-first century. The rise of woman-led literary initiatives across the last two decades – from Blackbird Books in South Africa to Ake Arts and Book Festival in Nigeria – has led to major literary-publishing shifts.
Bringing together voices from the African diaspora and the African continent; these conversations speak in vital ways to the successes and challenges of this ongoing and transformative literary moment.
The book includes a foreword by Margaret Busby, and an introduction by Joel Cabrita, of Stanford University. And an afterword by Kadija George Sesay (Sable Literary Magazine).
Out in October, you can pre-order a copy here.
A BLOW TO THE HEAD by Andries du Toit
Andries du Toit was also featured at the 2024 Open Book Festival and discussed how fear, trauma, anger, and masculinity intersect in the South African context.
(From left to right) Kopano Ratele, Andries Du Toit, Nathan Trantraal, and Lesedi Moledi at the ‘Trigger Warning’ Panel.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Non-fiction, memoir.
You can find a copy here.
HORSES AND ORANGES by Kirsten Garbini
ABOUT THE BOOK
Horses and Oranges navigates the complexities and celebrate the triumphs of contemporary womanhood. Kirsten Garbini tracks both unusual and ordinary moments, offering keen observations on love, identity, and the everyday magic of existence. It is a treasure trove of quotable lines, alternately hilarious, biting, and poignant, all filled with a creative zest for life.
“Bring water, bring words,
the yeast of your life –
let’s make a poem.”
You can find a copy here.
SOME COOL UPDATES:
WE WENT TO THE OPEN BOOK FESTIVAL!
Two Modjaji authors, Andries du Toit and Olivia Coetzee, delivered talks at the Cape Town 2024 Open Book Festival and chatted about their newly launched books. Modjaji intern, Jasmine Botha, tells us all about it.
The fest opened with the event, Trigger Warning with Lesedi Molefi, Nathan Trantraal, and Hands-On Modjaji author Andries du Toit in conversation with Kopano Ratele on toxic masculinity and trauma in their novels. The discussion was captivating. The three provided very different perspectives on masculinity from three very different bases, which fuelled the topic well. Each author recalled introspective moments where they challenged their ideas of what it meant to be a man and what it means for them now.
Next, I joined the conversation between Siphokazi Jones, Lebogang Seale, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, and Mapule Mohulatsi in their event Colonialism and Fracture. Siphokazi discussed her new poetry collection, Weeping Becomes a River, and how her reimagining of The Tempest inspired her. Lebogang discussed his influences, including Sol Plaatjie and Chinua Achebe. Siphiwe discussed her love for gothic literature and its influences on her novel, The Creation of Half Broken People.
Finally, I attended the event Life is Cheap, which featured Nathan Trantraal, Karin Jennings, and Modjaji author Olivia Coetzee hosted by Bettina Wyngaard. The authors discussed what it’s like to live and write in poverty and how their characters reflected their own life experiences.
WOMEN’S MONTH: AUTHOR SHOUT-OUT
For Women’s Month, writer Eva Meklis Mazza recently embarked on a month-long celebration of South African women authors. Fiona Snyckers, one of Modjaji’s authors, was lauded for her literary legacy.
Her young adult series focusing on the titular Trinity was first publishd by Modjaji Books, and now she has gone on to have written over 10 books and garner multiple awards.
We love our South African women writers and feel very lucky to be able to support voices like Fiona’s. Here’s to every month being women’s month.You can find a plethora of Fiona Snyckers’ Modjaji titles here:
Till next time, keep warm and well, and keep reading!