We understand the important role that the publishing industry plays in the. She begins with her work as a writer motivated by a wish to join in the conversation of. Apr 19, 2017 modjaji books is a singular publishing house which only publishes work by women and people who identify as women, and only those who live in southern africa, or who are originally from southern africa, or whose work reflects a major relevance to southern africa. Womens, feminist, and lgbtq publishers the office of. Yewande omotosos novel bom boy is published by south africas modjaji books the awesome independent publisher that will be publishing balthasars gift later this year and. There are also items and innovations that are of interest to writers, booksellers, publishers, librarians, and all of those who are interested in the world of african publishing and book development. If she is not available, she can put you in touch with other reputable writing teachers and courses. Allocate the right isbn but the book is printed with the incorrect barcodeisbn on the back cover so that the isbn on the imprint page and the back of the book arent the same 3. Publishing is not just a business, although it can be. Love, adoption and parenting while white by martina dahlmanns with contributions by tumi jonasmpofu. Allocate a previously allocated isbn to a new book 2. From the start, modjaji has had enormous goodwill and enthusiasm showered on her. Publishing perspectives have called this one a beauty, and indeed it is, in concept and design.
Colleen higgs is the publisher and passionate, dynamic force behind modjaji books, a small independent press based in cape town, south africa. Having lived through and enacted it, i think publishing only women writers is a hugely. It would be unfair of us to make you put your project on hold while we take time to decide things. You have consistently championed small independent publishing before modjaji and since in her time as information manager for the centre for the book in cape town, higgs managed the awardwinning community publishing project and have written on and been involved in numerous projects promoting writer development. We spoke about her beginnings, her new publishing house and challenges facing the business end of african literature. We spoke about her beginnings, her new publishing house and. I have found new authors i didnt know about, and new books by established writers. Modjaji books is an independent publishing company based in cape town. Modjaji books is a tiny fish in a smallish pond, yet it has made an impact on the continent and internationally as a feminist publishing house. If you as a published author, reader or publisher agree that books should be seen as essential services during lockdown, please add your name to this appeal, follow the link to sign. Modjaji books is a singular publishing house which only publishes work by women and people who identify as women, and only those who live in southern africa, or who are.
Young modjaji fan reminds us why books like a to z of amazing south african women need to exist. Itis a mesmerising novel which draws the reader into the creative, erotic and exiled minds of paul and jane bowles. Worldreader strives to work with our publisher partners in a way that matches our mutual ambitions. Modjaji books is a small independent press that publishes southern african women writers. Modjaji books was founded in by colleen higgs modjaji books is based in cape town, publishing books written. Colleen higgs is the publisher and passionate, dynamic force behind modjaji books, a small independent press based in cape town, south.
What does it take to succeed as a selfpublished book. Modjaji books book 4 strange fruit helen moffett poetry. She can also be invited to do workshops for groups anywhere in the country. Modjaji books is an independent publishing company based in cape town, south africa. Colleen talks to stephanie kitchen about running an independent feminist press in south africa. But in the series of posts i want to convey something of how we get to a cover.
Womens, feminist, and lgbtq publishers the office of the. Lucky enough to work at the centre for the book for over seven years from 2001, where she learnt a huge amount about the book trade in south africa, ownerpublisher colleen higgs started. Colleen higgs started modjaji books in 2007 as an independent feminist press that publishes southern african womens fiction, poetry, and biographies she felt african women deserved to tell their stories on an authentic and conscientious platform. Publishing involves teamwork, motivation, conflict resolution, marketing, and the creativity of. If you do not submit a full manuscript, please state as such in the manuscript description portion of the form.
Modjaji is doing a wonderful job of publishing south african literature. Modjaji books wants to fill a gap by providing an independent outlet for serious writing by women. Launches dont forget about these upcoming launches. Modjaji books fills a gap in southern africa by providing an independent outlet for serious writing by women. The first three book covers were done by hannah morris. Modjaji books international alliance of independent publishers. We sat down with nyana kakoma, whose gogetter attitude and ascendant career trajectory is something to behold. Modjaji books if you as a published author, reader or.
Higgs was information manager at the centre for the book. The first of a small series about designing covers for modjaji books titles. There are few other publishers who take the risk of publishing debut short story collections. Jul 18, 20 the small publishers catalogue 20 by katie reid on 18 july, 20 3 this year sees the new edition of modjaji books small publishers catalogue, which updates the first edition of 2010. Modjaji books south africa modjaji books is an independent feminist press that publishes southern african women writers.
Please note that we generally do not accept work that has been previously published or selfpublished in book form. Publishing involves teamwork, motivation, conflict resolution, marketing, and the creativity of getting it all to work together. As a writer, she has published poems and stories in literary magazines in south africa since 1990. You will need to submit a covering letter that contains a brief bio especially that which is relevant to you as a writer. Modjaji wants counter the prevailing position of books as commodities, reading as consumption. Publishing in hardcover or paperback with a traditional publisher only and not selfpublished or ebookonly, please and thank you. Ya books publishing october 20 this is only for young adult book publishing in october 20. What are the top three things someone needs to consider before opening a publishing business. Colleen higgs is a publisher extraordinaire not only does she know the writing business inside out, she is also an astute and unflappable businesswoman. Im only in the second month of this project and im already behind on publishing the pieces on the books that ive read. Colleen higgs is a publisher extraordinaire not only does she know the writing. Colleen talks to stephanie kitchen about running an. Read on to discover the launches, author appearances and new titles that are in store in march. Many others players are publishing the kinds of books that at first were only published by modjaji.
We understand that, as an author, you want as great a chance to have your manuscript published as possible. The small publishers catalogue 20 by katie reid on 18 july, 20 3. Publishing in hardcover or paperback with a traditional publisher only and not self. Each option gives you wonderful discounts and provides support for modjajis ambitious publishing programme. Mothers milk books england mothers milk books is a small, familyrun press that publishes highquality, beautiful books for adults and children that normalize breastfeeding and celebrate femininity and empathy. Worldreader publishers who believe in ebooks for literacy. Higgs was information manager at the centre for the book for over seven years, where she managed projects such as the awardwinning community publishing project and writer development, and brought out a series of pamphlets on writing and publishing. Sa booksellers the value of small and micro publishers. Jun 02, 2014 yewande omotosos novel bom boy is published by south africas modjaji books the awesome independent publisher that will be publishing balthasars gift later this year and has been shortlisted for the inaugural panafrican etisalat literary award. You should be familiar with our list and have read at least a couple of modjaji titles relevant to the category that you are submitting in. Modjaji books and the book lounge are thrilled to invite you to the launch of modjajis latest memoir, a person my colour. Modjaji books was started in 2007 by colleen higgs, it is an independent press that publishes the writings of southern african women. Modjaji books was started in 2007 by colleen higgs, it is an independent press that. Modjaji books fills a gap by providing a platform for serious and groundbreaking writing by new and established women writers with brave voices.
It is great to know that you can rely on a publisher to always publish amazing books. She is a former managing director at the puku childrens literature foundation, a trustee of read educational trust and a part owner of. Love, adoption and parenting while white by martina dahlmanns. The back of the catalogue contains articles and short essays about the publishing scene in mostly, but not only anglophone africa. In a recent new york times article, nigerian writer tricia nwaubani argued that western publishers still determine the type of african fiction to be published and this is often for. Also this was the first book we published back in 2007.
We understand the important role that the publishing industry plays in the ecosystem of literacy and know that the success of our readers is tied to the success of publishers. Many modjaji titles have gone on to be nominated for and to win prestigious literary awards both in south africa and internationally. Demeter press is the first book publisher focused specifically on the topic of mothering motherhood. Modjaji has a proud history of publishing debut short story collections that are successful in literary and sales terms. Modjaji has opened the door for writers and new publishing ventures.
Colleen higgs publishing director modjaji books linkedin. Amadodakazi endlovukazi umodjadji is the first in a planned childrens book series for 712 year old girls that features african women whose lives inspire. Independent, feminist publisher of southern african women writers. Publishing is an arena that directly contributes to the shaping of culture, changing minds, offering new ways of being in the world. The list of frequently asked questions below should cover most queries new authors have about the submissions process. Started in 2007 by colleen higgs, it is an independent press that publishes the writings of. It was shortlisted for the sunday times fiction award at the time and has continued to attract readers. Having lived through and enacted it, i think publishing only women writers is a hugely political act, particularly if you think about the way publishing is owned, media is owned, who gets to make the decisions, and how women are represented. Higgs was information manager at the centre for the book for over seven years, where she managed projects such as the awardwinning community publishing project and writer development, and brought out a series of.
Modjaji books is a south african smallscale independent publisher. Modjaji books was founded in by colleen higgs modjaji books is based in cape town, publishing books written exclusively by southern african women. As a publisher, she is both renowned and respected as the founder of independent publishing house, modjaji books. This independent feminist press is currently seeking manuscripts for publication. Fools gold is an anthology of selected short stories, all of which were previously published in an individual writers collection or in either stray or the bed book of short stories. Colleen higgs, the publisher and founder of modjaji books, who is set to give a seminar on selfpublishing at the book lounge in february 2020, is also a keen proponent of.
There are also items and innovations that are of interest to writers, booksellers, publishers, librarians, and all of those who are interested in the world of african publishing and book. Modjaji books addressed this inequality by publishing books that are true to the spirit of modjaji, the rain queen. We publish short stories, novels, memoir, biography, poetry, essays, narrative nonfiction, reference books and relevant nonfiction. Colleen higgs born 1962 in kimberley, south africa is a south african writer and publisher. Started in 2007 by colleen higgs, it is an independent press that publishes the writings of southern african women. Publish a book with penguin penguin books south africa. Next up on this small series about making covers is the cover of whiplash by tracey farren, the first novel we ever published. One of the benefits of metrorails delays and break downs is more reading time on the way to work. Thoughtful, eyeopening, heartopening collections of poetry and prose from women an amazing publi. South africas feminist press modjaji books turns 10. Colleen is an inspiration to writers, poets and business people connected to the publishing industry. Colleen higgs publisher modjaji books africa in words. You can support modjajis groundbreaking work by choosing one of the options below.
1464 485 1268 1025 724 1124 1373 458 839 220 388 1313 352 452 29 45 620 422 1160 911 1246 1154 905 822 823 729 901 977 1137 777 303 592 978 22 734 1010