You’re invited: A pop-up Modjaji book sale in Cape Town (plus a one-day-only online discount)
Please join us on Saturday, 13 November for a special, one-day-only pop-up Modjaji sale at the home of MD and founder Colleen Higgs.
Doors open at 10am and close at 4pm, pop in when you please and stay for a chat and a bookish browse.
Modjaji books will be on sale, as well as some of the books from Colleen’s personal bookshelf, including titles for kids and teens. There will be fabulous bargains and HUGE discounts on all titles.
Email us on info@dna945.dnaclient.co.za or text 0727743546 for the address. Please wear your mask and adhere to social distancing. We can’t wait to see you.
Can’t make it? Not to worry: We’ll also be offering 30% off on all website sales on Saturday the 13th only. Use the coupon code SAT13. Now is the time to get those Christmas orders in!
You’re Invited: Go Away Birds launches at Exclusive Books Rosebank
Modjaji Books and Exclusive Books are delighted to invite you to the Johannesburg launch of Michelle Edwards‘ debut, Go Away Birds.
Michelle will be in conversation with Pamela Power, and all COVID protocols will be adhered to.
Please join us at 18:00 for 18:30 at Exclusive Books Rosebank for what promises to be a delightfully literary evening. Michelle will also be available to sign books. Please RSVP to events@exclusivebooks.co.za.
“This finely observed novel is about connections – the kind we make in person and the kind that bind us to our past. It is about the power of personal responsibility to navigate both of these. It absorbed me deeply. I couldn’t put it down.” – Fiona Snyckers
Modjaji poets at the 2021 Poetry in McGregor Festival
Poetry in McGregor is back! The much-loved poetry festival will take place from Friday 19th to Saturday 21st November.
Modjaji poets Christine Coates and Thandi Sliepen will be launching their respective collections, The Summer We Didn’t Die and stem of the moon, on Sunday the 21st at 12:30 – 12:45 at the McGregor Backpackers.
Malika Ndlovu, (Invisible Earthquake, 2009) will be performing at 09:00 – 10:30 alongside Nondwe Mpuma, Lara Kirsten, and MC Ashley Dowds.
On Sunday the 21st at 09:00 – 10:30, Modjaji poets Sue Woodward (between the apple and the bite, 2021) and Elisa Galgut (The Attribute of Poetry, 2015) will be reading some new work. What a beautiful way to start your morning!
And on Sunday the 21st at 10:30 – 11:30, Dawn Garisch is re-launching her collection Difficult Gifts, originally published by Modjaji in 2011.
Robin Winckel-Mellish, author of A Lioness at my Heels (Hands-On Books, 2011) and Messages from the Bees (Modjaji Books, 2018) will be sharing some new work on Saturday the 20th of November at 11:00 – 12:30.
Modjaji’s smaller publishing imprint, Hands-On Books, will be represented too: Keith Gottschalk, author of his 2021 collection Cosmonauts do it in Heaven, will be launching his book in person at 12:30 – 13:15 on Saturday the 20th of November.
The local publishing and literacy scene has lost a number poets in the last two years, including Bernard Levinson, who published his collection Collected Poems with Hands-On last year. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of those who have passed away. There will also be events, displays etc honouring and remembering these poets.
You can find the full festival programme here, and the full list of 2021 authors here.
Catch Uvile Ximba on The Book Lounge’s Open Book podcast
The Open Book Podcast Series – the online iteration of the beloved Open Book festival from pre-COVID days – has kicked off!
This year, the podcast, which is hosted by one of our favourite local bookstores aka The Book Lounge, features a range of incredible local authors including Siphokazi Jonas, Mohale Mashigo, Yewande Omotoso, Mia Arderne, and our very own Uvile Ximba, author of Dreaming in Colour.
Featured in the final episode of the series, Uvile will be in conversation with Efemia Chela, Gretchen Haley, and Qarnita Loxton about complicated loves.
The series is available on their website, or you can subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to ensure you don’t miss an episode.
Modjaji Books will be at the Conference of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers in Spain.
As the coordinator of the English network of the Alliance, Modjaji’s founder and MD Colleen Higgs has been sponsored to attend the conference of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers. We’re so excited and grateful for this fantastic opportunity for Modjaji and to be involved in the important work of the Alliance and to network with the independent publishers who are part of the Alliance.
The conference is from 23rd to 26th November in Pamplona, and is organised by the Alliance and the Association of Independent Publishers of Navarre, EDITARGI.
Out now: The Girl Who Chased Otters by Sally Partridge
Award-winning YA author Sally Partridge’s latest book, The Girl Who Chased Otters, is available online and in stores now!
The Girl Who Chased Otters is a sensitive tale of friendship, love and acceptance set in the southern suburbs of Cape Town.
A keen observer of human behaviour, Nathan has never cared about fitting in, but when Olivia asks for his help becoming popular, he can’t refuse. But as she is swept into a world of gossip and bullying, they must both question what they really want. A story about friendship and falling in love.
The Girl Who Chased Otters is in stores now, or you can order it from our website.
Collaborative Conversations successfully launched in Cape Town at the ICA
On Thursday 28 October, Modjaji launched Collaborative Conversations: Celebrating Twenty-One Years of The Mothertongue Project, edited by Sara Matchett and Alex Halligey, at The Institute for Creative Arts. Several contributors were there, and performed or spoke about their involvement with the project. The event was also streamed online and some of the contributors spoke or performed online, as they couldn’t be present.
To celebrate Mothertongue’s 21st anniversary, Collaborative Conversations weaves together the reflections of a group of artists, scholars and writers who have journeyed with the organisation over the last two decades.
This impressive collection includes work by Awino Okech, Genna Gardini, Koleka Putuma, Makgati Mokwena, Malika Ndlovu, Mwenya B Kabwe, Nicosia Shakes, Nina Callaghan, Ntomboxolo Makhutshi and Rehane Abrahams.
Find Collaborative Conversations in any good South African bookstore, or from our online store.
Sue Woodward at Off the Wall
Local poetry lovers will already know Off the Wall, Cape Town’s longest-running and most regular poetry meetup/event.
Modjaji poet Sue Woodward (between the apple and the bite, 2021) was the featured Off the Wall poet on Monday, 25 October 2021. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here. The passcode is N0Mn^yy*.
Michelle Edwards talks all things Go Away Birds on SABC 2 Morning Live
Michelle Edwards appeared on SABC 2 Morning Live on Sunday, 7 November to talk about her debut novel, Go Away Birds.
Michelle shares how the story haunted her, where she gets her ideas, dysfunctional families, what it means to feel “normal”, and more.
You can catch up with the recording on YouTube.
Learn more about publishing from Colleen Higgs
In October, our founder and MD Colleen Higgs hosted one of her popular publishing seminars, “Everything you wanted to know about getting published in South Africa but didn’t know who to ask“.
The seminar covers topics such as how to find a publisher, whether it’s better to self-publish, how to know if your book is ready for publication, and more. It’s ideal for writers and anyone interested in working in or learning more about the local publishing and literary scene.
Though spots at the seminar were limited, a recording is available for R100. Email us on info@dna945.dnaclient.co.za for access.
Colleen Higgs has over 15 years of experience in publishing and bookmaking. She started Modjaji Books in 2007 and before that she worked at the Centre for the Book where she did many things including mediate the world of publishing for new writers. She is the author of a number of books including A Rough Guide to Small Scale and Self Publishing, five editions of the African Small Publishers’ Catalogue and a pamphlet series about writing and publishing.
Welcoming Imhal Jamodien
We’re happy to welcome the newest member of the Modjaji team, Imhal Jamodien who joined Modjaji as a volunteer earlier this year and will continue with us into next year.
Imhal has a degree in Psychology and African Gender Studies from UCT, her professional background is in booking and casting, talent scouting, and talent management. She wants to publish gritty, hilarious, and brave stories in Afrikaaps. “I love reading, focusing on one task at a time, and am the mother of two wild and kind daughters. I’m joyful, clumsy, and loud. Two of my favourite things are camping and watching anime.”
Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season
Despite all the challenges of our current times, it’s been a pleasure sharing 2021 with all of you. Modjaji wishes you a restful and wonderful holiday season – filled with love and good books! – and a smooth start to your new year.