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African Writer Weekly · May 20, 2026

11 Open Opportunities for African Writers

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African Writer Weekly · African Writer Weekly

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Nunum is a Canadian literary journal dedicated to blending flash fiction and art. They are currently seeking flash fiction for their next issue.

Deadline: 27th May 2026 | Pay: $20 CND

Things to note:

  • You can submit 1 story per submission.

  • Please submit story as a doc, docx, pages or txt file.

  • 500 max. word limit.

  • use Times New Roman

    • use font size 12

    • double space

    • use page numbers

    • no name, email, address, etc. anywhere on submitted work

  • One submission per person per free submission period. Subsequent submissions will be deleted unread.

  • Click here to submit. Use the ‘Free Submission’ option at the bottom.

The SOAS MA Global Data Journalism (Online)is developed and delivered in partnership with the Institute for Journalism and Social Change (IJSC), which brings together journalists, activists and researchers for impactful collaborations in service of social justice, including gender justice.

This scholarship is specifically for students who will study remotely, from wherever they are based, and are passionate about investigative journalism that is also informed by their lived experiences.

Deadline: 30th May 2026, 6pm GMT | Scholarship: £12,000

Things to note:

  • Start Date: September 2026

  • Duration: 1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time)

  • Location: Online. This scholarship opportunity is specifically for students who study remotely, working on practical cross-border projects while earning their degrees

  • Scholarships available: Two

  • Eligibility: Minimum 2:2 UK undergraduate degree/international equivalent. Scholarship applicants will have to separately apply and gain acceptance to the SOAS MA. Scholarship awards will be contingent on gaining entry to the programme.

  • Careers: This programme prepares you for global journalism, NGO and advocacy careers.

  • To apply, please complete the online application form, which will ask you to paste in your CV and answer three questions (300-400 words each), telling us:

    • how this scholarship would help you to apply your lived experience to impactful journalism

    • your specific interest in investigative and data journalism for gender justice, and

    • an example of a story that you think could have been told better with a feminist approach and why

The Republic Journal is calling for pitches for it’s next issue under the theme: The Social Life of Money. They are seeking deeply reported, character-driven and intellectually ambitious stories about how Nigerians and Africans earn, imagine, perform, circulate, hide, lose and survive money.

“We are interested not simply in economics, but in the cultures, fantasies, infrastructures and moral worlds that money creates. We want stories about labour and desire; debt and aspiration; fraud and survival; speculation and spirituality; capitalism and improvization.”—TR

Deadline: 30th May 2026 | Pay: up to $350

Things to note:

  • They are especially interested in stories that ask:

    • What does financial survival look like in Nigeria and contemporary Africa more broadly?

    • How do Nigerians learn to trust or distrust financial systems?

    • What do startups, betting companies, fintech platforms and digital marketplaces reveal about African desires and anxieties?

    • What happens to communities built around industries after decline, collapse or technological change?

    • What does wealth mean in societies shaped by inequality and uncertainty?

    • What does money mean beyond economics?

  • To explore the themes they’re seeking, click here.

  • Stories may include, but are not limited to:

    • Longform reported features

    • Narrative essays grounded in original reporting

    • Investigations

    • Historical essays

    • Profiles approached through people and systems rather than corporate branding

    • Photo essays and visual storytelling

    • Reported criticism and cultural analysis

    • Stories that could translate into audio or documentary formats

  • Please submit your pitch via our submissions page:https://rpublc.com/submissions

    • Select PITCH for both the ‘Type’ and ‘Category’ of submission.

    • Upload a Word document that includes:

      • Proposed title

      • A short summary of the story

      • Why the story matters now

      • Reporting approach and access

      • Key people, places or communities you intend to engage

      • Three core questions the piece aims to answer

In collaboration with ANA-OAU and Poetry Column-NND, Kòkòrò is announcing her inaugural Kòkòrò Short Story Prize, awarding two Nigerian University Students prizes in fiction.

Deadline: 31st May 2026 | Prize: Total of N150,000

Things to note:

  • Open to all Nigerian university students.

  • One submission per person.

  • Stories should be a maximum of 1500 words.

  • ⁠Entries should be original works of entrants and must not have been published before.

  • All entries should be submitted in Garamond 12-point font.

  • The prize is unthemed. The prize will be judged by Chinaza James-Ibe and Jesutomisin Ipinmoye.

  • All entries should be written in English and submitted in doc or docx format with the inclusion of the entrant’s name and work title to kokorowtf@gmail.com.

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Palmtrees runs an annual screenplay incubator for writers from Africa, the middle east, latin america, south asia, southeast asia, the caribbean and oceania. They select a cohort of 8–10 writers, and put them through an intensive development cycle that produces scripts ready for a greenlight conversation.

The program runs for 9 months: 8 months of remote development with dedicated story analysts, structured curriculum sessions, and milestone-based deliverables, followed by a 3-week in-person retreat where the cohort works intensively toward final drafts.

Deadline: June 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT | Pay: Free training

Things to note:

  • Palmtrees is open to writers who meet the following criteria:

    • at least 22 years of age at the time of submission.

    • holding citizenship or permanent legal status in an eligible country

  • All applicants must submit a treatment for a feature-length genre screenplay and the first 15 pages of the screenplay.

    • Treatments should be between 5–10 pages and must be written in english.

    • applicants must also submit a logline, a statement of intent, and a short bio. if you plan to direct the work, you must provide a link to a directing sample.

    • Palmtrees is accepting solo-written projects ONLY. each project must have a single writer who will serve as the sole program participant.

  • Palmtrees develops genre screenplays. Eligible genres include: thriller, 💰heist / caper, will they, won’t they, revenge / action, lo-fi sci-fi / speculative, public domain reimagining

  • They do NOT accept pure drama projects, documentaries, or non-fiction treatments. if your project blends genres, that is encouraged, but genre must be structurally central to the work.

  • To apply, click here.

Afronaut publishes fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books designed for the realities of how people read, learn, and access information in African communities today – creating culturally grounded publishing that reaches more readers, wherever
they are. They’re are currently interested in all genres — literary fiction, crime, thriller, romance, speculative fiction, historical fiction, magical realism, and genre work that refuses easy categorisation. Submissions open on the 22nd of May.

Deadline: 7th June 2026 | Pay: Book Deal

Things to note:

  • Every submission must include:

    • Your manuscript. As a Word document (.docx) or PDF, in the format described above.

    • A cover letter. One page maximum. Your name, your location, the title and format of your submission, and a brief description of your story — three sentences is enough. Tell us a little about yourself as a writer: not your CV, just who you are and why you wrote this.

    • A synopsis. For novellas and novels: a synopsis of the complete story, including the ending, no more than 500 words for novellas and 800 words for novels. For short stories: a one-paragraph summary is sufficient.

    • A brief author biography. 100 to 200 words. If you are a first-time writer, say so. We are looking for writers, not publishing histories.

    • Contact details. Your full name, email address, phone number, and the city or area in Zimbabwe where you are based.

  • Send to submissions@afronautpress.com

African Liberty is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Editorial Intern to support their editorial team. This is a remote internship lasting six months, with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate will contribute to the production and quality of content published on AfricanLiberty.org, while gaining hands-on experience in editorial work.

Deadline: 20th June 2026 | Pay: Unpaid

Things to note:

  • Requirements

    • Exceptional command of the English language.

    • Strong writing and communication skills.

    • Impeccable attention to detail.

    • Experience creating content for blogs or other written publications is an advantage.

    • Comfortable using Google Workspace.

    • Knowledge of WordPress is an advantage.

    • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a remote environment.

    • Being an alumnus of the African Liberty Writing Fellowship is an advantage.

    • Interest in African policy, governance, or liberty-oriented discourse is an advantage.

  • Compensation:

    • Career development and mentorship from experienced editors and policy professionals.

    • Exposure to and growth within the African media and policy space.

  • This role is ideal for current students or recent graduates looking to build their editorial portfolio.

  • Click here to apply.

The Iroko Circle publishes work that engages deeply with African stories, culture, and lived experiences. They are inviting submissions of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry from writers across Africa and the diaspora

Deadline: 30th June 2026. | Pay: Unstated

Things to note:

  • Fiction & Non-Fiction: Maximum of 6,000 words.

  • Poetry: Maximum of three (3) poems, submitted in a single document.

  • Please include a brief cover letter with:

    • the title of your piece

    • a third-person bio.

  • Send your submission to editorial@theirokocircle.org.

  • No Multiple submissions.

  • They consider only previously unpublished work.“Previously published” includes work that has appeared online or in print, including personal blogs.

  • Exception: They will consider translations of works originally written in a language other than English, provided the English version has not been published elsewhere.

  • Book reviews and essay submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.

  • Due to the volume of submissions they receive, response times may take up to six weeks or longer.

  • If you have not heard from them in six weeks after submission, you are welcome to send a follow-up query to: editorial@theirokobc.org

Carefree is known for publishing personal essays from Black women on life, love, and adventure, but this year they’re are open to more diverse storytelling formats including interviews highlighting Black women doing/starting/creating cool things, cultural criticism on topics Black women care about, and, on a limited basis, poetry & short fiction submissions.

They’re currently looking for stories with strong voice, clear perspective, and thoughtful, intentional storytelling. Especially writing that blends personal insight with cultural criticism and stories that reflect how Black women across the globe are navigating their worlds.

Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Pay: $100

Things to note:

  • Keep your pitch under 300 words. Lead with the scene or the line that made you want to write the essay.

    • What happened

    • Why you’re the only person who can write this piece

    • A rough word count (most of ours run 1,000–1,800 words)

    • A few links to other work, if you have them

    • Check out Anayo’s “Share Your Work” masterclass on exactly how to pitch editors (not just Carefree!)

  • Stories they’re looking for:

    • Experiences that shaped you in ways you didn’t expect,e.g giving up a career

    • The contrarian reframe: what Black women are tired of being told

    • Sex, dating, and the specifics of it

    • The personal-cultural essay—anchored to a Black woman who’s in the conversation (e.g SZA, Megan, Cardi, Solange, Issa, Ayo, Tyla, Coco, Halle, Tems, doechii, Beyoncé.)

    • Original poetry (to be featured in a monthly poetry collection from Black women)

  • To see different directions the above story themes can take, click here.

  • Submit your pitch here

The Account is a journal of Poetry, Prose, and Thought interested in the conversations that could arise when an account is paired with creative work. They are currently seeking fiction, poetry, and nonfiction in a diverse range of styles, including experimental and hybrid work, for their next issue.

Deadline: 23rd August 2026 or When Cap is Reached | Pay: Unstated

Things to note:

  • For every submission you need an account (approx. 150 to 500 words) to go with your work. The account is like a short artist’s statement. What to say is up to you, but it should be something you want to tell the reader—a peek behind the curtain into your mind or your process while writing this piece. What brought you to the page to create this?

    • Cover letters are optional

  • Creative nonfiction writers: Send your essay of no more than 6,000 words, and your optional cover letter (as the first page) in the same file.

    • Followed by your 150-500 word account in a new file.

  • Fiction writers: Send your short stories of 1,000-6,000 words, and your cover letter (as the first page) in the same file.

    • Followed by your 150-500 word account in a new file.

  • Poets: Send 3-5 poems, and your optional cover letter (as the first page) in the same file.

    • Followed by your 150-500 word account in a new file.

  • Only one submission per writer, please

  • Simultaneous submissions are fine. If a piece is accepted elsewhere, please message them via Submittable.

  • Click here to submit

African Writer Weekly is preparing to launch African Writer Match, a service which encourages collaboration between African writers both on the continent and in diaspora. Our newsletter currently reaches 2700+ writers in over 60 countries and we believe our numbers can contribute more to the growth of everyone’s craft.

The Writer Match is an on-request service which connects members of the community to other members who may be interested in collaborating on a literary project, providing (non-financial) assistance on an ongoing project, as well as language support and exchange.

Deadline: None | Goal: Collaboration

Things to note:

  • We value collaboration, and by opening yourself up to working with others, African Writer Match offers you the following benefits:

    • Priority Access to In-house opportunities: From chances to have your work or/and opinions featured in the press, to entering African Writer Weekly’s soon-to-come in-house contests and workshops. In 2026, we will launch The Rejection Olympics, a prize for the writer who has pushed themselves the most in the face of rejection. This prize will first be open to writers in the Match Pool.

    • Language Exchange: If you’d like to practice an African language with a native speaker, you can request to be matched with a practice buddy. While this option is also open to learners keen on improving their non-African language skills (English, French, Portuguese etc), service priority will be given to those who want to practice African Languages.

    • Priority requests for features in Prose and Poetry of the Week

  • Requirements:

    • Be 18 years of age by 1st May 2026.

    • Be an active subscriber of the newsletter community. This means you open our emails frequently, like, comment, share or/and restack our publications.

    • Have registered for this service by filling the Writer Match form.

  • This service will be launched in May 2026. All registered writers will receive an email with steps on how to request a Writer Match.

Click here to submit an opportunity.

If you did not receive a reply to a previous editorial inquiry by 31st January 2026, please send a query to editor.afww@gmail.com.

Rag Day | David Okigbo (Nigeria)

Ebuka wakes to a thick odor in the room, a pungent aftertaste of blood or rotting flesh that makes his throat squeeze. He pushes himself upright on the filthy concrete, every muscle in his core protesting after what feels like hours flat on his back. The tug of metal around his ankles as he moves causes him to cry out in pain. He’s in chains, dressed in moth-eaten clothes, in a room he doesn’t recognize. And worst of all? He has no idea how he got there.

He massages his aching temples, hoping to rub some recent memories back into it, but it only makes him wonder why his hands were left untied. Everything within his immediate line of vision comes out in a blur, and the migraine throbbing in his skull isn’t helping either. He studies his environment, looking for clues that can help him remember…

Read more

If you’d like your already PUBLISHED prose featured in ‘Prose of The Week’ please fill this form.

What I know about this Body | Emmanuel G G Yamba (Liberia)

I.

I write this poem

in fragments

which is how

loss enters

the body

II.

and so,

I pick my body up

from the floor

like broken glass

swept gently

with fingers…

Read more

If you’d like your already PUBLISHED poetry featured in ‘Poetry of The Week’ please fill this form.

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Ibi rere ni kí ẹsẹ̀ rẹ máa tẹ̀ títí láé (May your feet always tread upon good paths forever—Yoruba, Nigeria.)

Read the original on africanwriterweekly.substack.com

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