This newsletter is published every Wednesday at 5pm WAT.
1. Call for Manuscripts: Children’s Literature
Books for Umu Ntii (BUN) is dedicated to empowering African children’s book writers by providing expert training, mentorship and publishing opportunities, and a global platform to share authentic African stories with the world. They are currently seeking one exceptional chapter book manuscript by an African writer for publication.
Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Pay: Book Deal
Things to note:
Submissions should be:
One completed chapter book manuscript
For readers ages 6–9
Maximum length: 5,000 words
Humorous and heartwarming stories
Strong, memorable characters
Child-centered plots
Stories set in Africa or inspired by African cultures
They are not seeking:
Picture books or Middle grade novels
Young adult fiction or Poetry
Nonfiction or Religious instruction
Previously published books
Adult fiction or nonfiction
Please send the following to submissions@booksforumuntii.com
Manuscript: Submit your manuscript as a .doc or .docx file, formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced.
Brief Bio stating your country of residence, and
Contact details
2. Midnight & Indigo: Open for Submissions from Black Women
Midnight & indigo, a literary journal celebrating Black women writers, has issued a call for submissions for short stories, speculative fiction, and narrative essays. They publish content their tri-annual literary journals. Writers are invited to share their original, fictional, or personal stories. Stories must be character-driven and leave readers with something to think about. All genres are welcome!
Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Pay: $0.07 per word
Things to note:
They are currently accepting submissions for three categories. Click each title for specific guidelines and submission links.
Short Stories: Literary fiction delves deep into the human condition, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the intricate nuances of everyday life. (1500-7000 words)
Narrative and Personal Essays: Previously unpublished, personal and evocative first-person essays that forge an immediate connection with readers. (Min of 1200 words)
Black Speculative Fiction: 2,000-7,000 words. All submissions will be considered for publication on a rolling basis on midnightandidigo.com or in our Speculative fiction special issue (online and/or print).
All genres and writing styles are welcome. It may be helpful to view their current short stories, essays, and literary journals to get a general sense of what we publish, but don’t be afraid to push the needle!
They do not accept work created by AI. Any submissions not entirely created by a human author will be automatically rejected.
3. Submit to Saraba Magazine
From the beginning, Saraba has emphasized the importance of publishing writers for the first time, and how by this venture such new writers may find confidence in their crafts. They have published now-acclaimed writers such as Uche Peter Umez, Elnathan John, Eghosa Imasuen, Ukamaka Olisakwe, Okwiri Oduor, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim etc. For June, they are currently seeking the best of new writing from Africa. They are interested in writers whose work shows tremendous promise but has hardly been published in a major literary magazine.
Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Pay: None
Things to note:
Send your unpublished work in any of our three broad categories: Fiction, Poetry and Nonfiction.
Do not send in any material that has been published elsewhere in print or on the web, except specifically requested.
Send no more than one work at a time, and wait for our response before you send another.
All entries are read blind, so do not include your name anywhere in your submission file.
The maximum word count for fiction works is 5,000, except otherwise announced.
Send no more than 3 poems at a time, submitted in one document.
The maximum word count for nonfiction is 5,000, and they accept a broad range of nonfiction: memoirs, interviews, personal essays, reviews, travel writing, creative journalism, etc.
They are also open to visual art, including photography and illustrations. Send in high-resolution files.
Send alongside a bio of not more than 200 words (in third person).
After the submission deadline has expired, expect to hear from us within 3-4 months.
Only submit on saraba.submittable.com.
4. Call for Manuscripts – The Nalubaale Review
The Nalubaale Review is seeking bold, original, and thought‑provoking work that reflects the richness, diversity, and complexity of African experiences and imaginations. They are inviting manuscripts from African writers, both on the continent and in the diaspora.
Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Pay: Book Deal
Things to note:
What they’re looking for:
Novel manuscripts
Poetry, short stories, essays, and creative nonfiction
Work that engages with contemporary African realities, histories, and futures
Fresh voices and perspectives that challenge, inspire, and expand literary conversations
Manuscripts should be unpublished and original
Submit in Word or PDF format
Include a brief bio (100 words max) with your submission
Multiple submissions are welcome, but please send each in a separate document
AI generated volumes of work are not welcome. The submission should be a writer’s original work. Either a manuscript or collection of short stories and poems.
Works should not exceed 100,000 words
Submissions should be in English language.
Send your manuscripts to: nalubaalereview@gmail.com.
5. The UnSerious Collective Fellowship (Nigeria)
The UnSerious Collective Fellowship awards FOUR (4) emerging Nigerian poets as Unserious Collective Fellows annually for poetry that is commendable, experimental, brilliant, and daring. The fellowship is part of the major essence of the collective—to recognize talents and celebrate hard work in the bustling Nigerian Poetry community.
Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Stipend: N150,000 each
Things to note:
Nigerian: born in Nigeria, or have at least one Nigerian parent, or be a person living in Nigeria as a naturalized citizen
All emerging poets who have not published full-length collections are eligible regardless of age, geographic location, or educational status, and are encouraged to submit.
The 4 Fellows will also have their poems published in a Microchapbook.
The Fellowship does not prefer any theme, style, or approach. Just quality writing that is bold and exciting.
Submit up to TEN (previously published or unpublished) pages of poems in a .doc or .docx file.
You may submit both published and unpublished work, but NOT only PUBLISHED WORK.
Single-spaced. Font: 12, Garamond or Times New Roman. Each page must be paginated.
The submission title should read, “UCPS 2026”, and must be submitted via our submission portal.
Entries submitted via email will not be read.
No identifying information (including publication history of individual poems) should be on the file.
6. Call for Manuscripts: Literary Fiction and Speculative Fiction
Cassava Republic Press’ mission is to change the way we all think about writing from Africa and her diaspora, whether set in filthy-yet-sexy megacities such as Lagos or Kinshasa, in little-known communities outside of Bahia, in the recent past or indeed the near future. They are now seeking liteary fiction and speculative fiction manuscripts for publication
Deadline: 30th June 2026, 23:59 BST | Pay: Book Deal
Things to note:
Send us a 500-word summary of the book that will entice your reader along with the first three chapters of your manuscript. Your MS should be in the best shape that it can possibly be.
Send your sample chapters as a Word attachment saved in the following way: date of submission (dd.mm.yy).firstname. surname.book title
Example: 02.09.23.Yinka.Allen.ToPlayWithFire.doc
Make sure that your name appears only on the title page, and nowhere else in the manuscript.
The subject of the email should be: Cassava Submission: [Author’s name], [book title]
Example: Cassava Submission: Yinka Allen, To Play With Fire.
To submit, click here
Send this to a writer who needs it ❤️
7. Submit to EverScribe Magazine
Everscribe Magazine is a digital literary magazine publishing quarterly, themed issues exclusively dedicated to poetry. They are now seeking original poetry for their next issue Clash of the Tides.
They want poetry (40 lines or fewer) that explores the turbulent intersections of nature and human emotion. Poetry centered around change, power, and the profound highs and lows of human frustration. Send your confessional poetry that leans into extreme nature elements — oceans crashing against rocky mountains, rough peaks, gritty nature, dark soil, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and the emotional wreckage of a shipwreck.
Deadline: 30th June 2026 | Pay: None
Things to note:
All poems must be in English. Please proofread for spelling and grammar. If you use intentional variations, let them know during submission.
Language should be PG-13 or below. They do not allow excessive profanity, vulgarity, or explicit sexual content.
Poems: Maximum length is 40 lines; there is no minimum length.
File Format: Submissions should be in Portable Document Format (.pdf).
Font and Layout: Use 12-point Times New Roman or a similar standard font.
Spacing: Single-spaced text.
Title and Author Name: Include a bolded title at the top of the first page, include your name in italics.
Author Bio: If you’d like, you may include a third-person author bio (50 words or less), also in italics.
File Naming: Your file name should be your work’s title followed by your name in parentheses (e.g., “The Journey (Author Name).pdf”).
You can submit only one poem at a time using the form on the website.
They will respond to all submissions within one month after the submission window closes.
8. Call for Submissions: Spiritual Drip (Nigeria & Ghana)
Archiving(dot)fashion journal is a yearly print magazine that critically engages with a select theme, as an anchor to understand our relationship with clothing, fashion and the African fashion landscape. The theme for their first journal issue is Spiritual Drip, and they’re inviting Nigerians and Ghanaians to submit manuscripts.
They are exploring the complexity of the relationship with religion (specifically Christianity) and clothing. How does faith shape our wardrobe in and outside religious contexts? Conversely, how does our wardrobe dictate our performance of faith? Beyond trends, what overlapping ideas are present in Nigerian and Ghanaian relationships with Christianity, fashion, and being?
Deadline: 1st July 2026, 11.59 PM WAT | Pay: $80-$100
Things to note:
They’re interested in stories informed not only by observation and critical analysis, but also by lived experience on the continent.
Personal, historical, communal, and contemporary stories that are exploratory and offer a better understanding of the Nigerian and Ghanaian experience are welcome, within these sub-themes:
Church in contemporary fashion design
Church style and larger culture
Church style and personhood
Writing that expands our understanding of how people use the affordances of digital technologies to signal and perform their [lack of] faith: In addition to the Dress Like Your Miracle trend of the Hallelujah Challenge, examples of story directions include using Christian religious style as an aesthetic to grow an online audience, using gospel music for get-ready-with-me videos, exploring AI as a style assistant, and poking fun at religious theatre.
For more details on the above sub-themes, see here
Anyone living in Nigeria or Ghana for at least 8 months in a year, can submit.
The subject line for your submission email be: [Pitch] [Submission Title]. For example: “[Pitch] The Devil Wears Kaunda”.
The following information should be in the body of your submission email:
Completed essay (or written submission) between 1,500 - 2,500 words in a Word Document
The city in Ghana or Nigeria where you live and work.
A paragraph describing why this story matters to you, what you’re aiming for with the story and how this fits into the larger theme of Spiritual Drip. They don’t expect you to be a Christian to write, but we’d love to know why you care about the story.
Send your submission to info@archiving.fashion
9. The Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature
The Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature, established in 2019, honours the memory and legacy of Wakini Kuria, who served on the Advisory Board of the African Writers Development Trust and was the Chief Editor of Writers Space Africa (WSA) Magazine from 2017 until her passing in 2019. She also coordinated the Writers Space Africa – Kenya Chapter and played a key role in developing platforms for emerging African writers. For the 8th edition of the prize, submissions are invited in the children’s literature genre for readers aged 6 to 12 years.
Deadline: 1st July 2026 | Prize: Total of $450
Things to note:
Theme: Digital World
Word limit: Maximum 1,200 words
Eligibility: Writers of African descent only
Please note:
Poetry is not accepted for this edition
Entries must be original and unpublished, including on personal blogs
AI-generated submissions are not accepted
To submit, click here
10. Submit to the African Writers Awards
Writers Space Africa (WSA) is pleased to announce the 9th edition of the African Writers Awards . This award recognises outstanding creative writing by African writers and aims to promote original voices across the continent and the diaspora.
For the 2026 edition, submissions are invited in two genres: Poetry and Short Story. Participants must choose one genre only. Entries submitted in more than one genre will be disqualified.
Deadline: 1st July 2026 | Prize: $100 + certificate of achievement
Things to note:
Genres: Poetry or Short Story
Theme: Belonging
Poetry: Minimum of 14 lines
Short Story: 3,000 – 5,000 words
Entries must be original and unpublished, including on personal blogs
AI-generated submissions are not accepted
Click here to submit.
11. Send Poetry to Cordite Poetry Review
Cordite Poetry Review is a quarterly Australian and international journal of poetry, criticism and research, that has been around for 30 years. They are currently open to submissions of any theme
“Send me poems that will silently enter the bloodstream, and poems that scream with absolute abandon across the page”—Maxine Clarke.
Deadline: 1st July 2026, 23:59 GMT+10 | Pay: Unstated
Things to note:
Cordite only accepts unpublished work.
Simultaneous submissions? Sure. Just inform us or withdraw if the work is accepted elsewhere.
Please send a maximum of three (3) poems in one submission. Submit only one time. 2nd and 3rd submissions, even if 1 poem apiece, will be rejected.
Please send all of your works in one (1) document. For electronic poetry, submit a document with instructions on how and where to access the submission. Large sound and video files can be shared via Drive or similar open means. Submit a document with those URLs.
They do not consider poems that were made, either in part or in full, using generative AI.
Submissions will only be accepted via this online submissions form.
12. LIPFest Craft and Development Lab
The LIPFest Craft and Development Lab is a four-month virtual program of craft and professional development for poets, spoken word artists, and writers from Nigeria, across Africa, and the diaspora. The Lab is designed for early- to mid-career writers with active projects in development: manuscripts, spoken word albums, poetry films, stage works, and other long-form creative work that requires sustained engagement, critique, and support. Ten poets will be selected.
Deadline: 3rd July 2026 | Prize: Free workshop
Things to note:
Participants will receive:
In-depth craft and career development sessions
One-on-one mentorship
Access to an experienced international faculty
A rigorous peer community
Portfolio Development Grant opportunities
Showcase opportunities connected to LIPFest and partner festivals
Writers must be comfortable working and receiving feedback in English.
To apply:
Submit a writing sample of two to three poems, or an equivalent passage of prose or spoken word script. Maximum 1,500 words combined (PDF).
A statement of purpose of 300 words. What are you working on? What do you need from this program? Be specific.
Complete the application form before the deadline. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by 6 July 2026, accepted, waitlisted, or not selected
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.
Prose of the Week
Where Do Souls Go? | Sarah Bitamazire (Kenya)
Electricity is out, because the road we travel on is darker than usual. The few bars that have a generator slowly kick start the petrol fuming engines, adding to the nocturnal chatter of Bandal. Illuminated signs turn back on, one at a time, illuminating the promised-to-be-tarmaced-road.
Headlights of cars bounce against bodies, red and blue plastic chairs and tables, laughter, arguments, the sound of Fally, thunder threatening heavy rain - and us, crammed into D’s car. We are expectant and bored with our own routine. A group of friends formed by circumstance, connected by the geography we currently find ourselves in, and glued to our constantly packed social calendar. Some dyads within the group promise deeper intimacy. These connections glue the group together into a fierce pack of protection and care. And tonight the pack is going to where souls go to remember intimately, and to forget…
If you’d like your already PUBLISHED prose featured in ‘Prose of The Week’ please fill this form.
Poetry of the Week
Photos of the Day | Lema Noel (Tanzania)
And at the end of the day,
The photos of the day come to play.
As the day ends,
After the sun kisses our skins; mine and yours my friend!
I think of the kind of person I’d been,
Think of the love and hatred I’d seen,
And I say, “Ooh! A long day it has been,
‘Can’t remember all despite all I’d seen…
If you’d like your already PUBLISHED poetry featured in ‘Poetry of The Week’ please fill this form.
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Beera bulungi (Be well—Luganda, Uganda)
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