Books and writers
Information about the latest books and the people behind them
Franschhoek Literary Festival 2024: A personal reflection
2024-05-31"I don’t get a vote in the South African elections, but in life – globally – I vote for tolerance and integrity. Literary beauty offers both."
Press release: Book now for an unforgettable Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival
2024-05-29The lovely Karoo town Cradock will play host to Deon Meyer, Coenie de Villiers and André Schwartz from 12 to 15 June 2024. That is when the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival will take place.
Press release: Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 regional winners announced
2024-05-29The Commonwealth Foundation has announced five regional winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, the world’s most global literary prize.
Fresh off the press: Small changes for big results by Warren Ingram and Marc Rogatschnig
2024-05-28There is no shortage of good advice, personal finance books and well-worn practices, so the question is: Why can’t people change? We know what to do, but then inexplicably don’t seem to do it. What keeps tripping us up? Many of our money troubles are caused by behavioural traps that keep us locked in a cycle. The book contains real-life case studies of people who overcame financial difficulties and highlights the small steps they took to change the course of their lives. No matter what your income level or financial background, this book is tailored to help everyone.
A reader’s review of Kirkus-starred The assays of Ata by KIS
2024-05-27"This novel, the first in a trilogy, sets the stage for an exciting and thrillingly heroic tale of love and loss, family relationships and the consequences of war – both glorious and not."
Invitation | Book launch of The child by Alistair MacKay in Johannesburg | 23 and 28 May
2024-05-22Alistair MacKay’s novel The child will be launched at Love Books in Melville on 23 May, in conversation with Charles Leonard, and at Bridge Books in Brixton on 28 May, in conversation with Griffin Shea.
A hugely important book: A reader’s impression of The bitterness of olives by Andrew Brown
2024-05-21"This is a timeous book, one that I believe everyone capable of understanding English should read."
Press release: Otto Foundation launches inaugural children’s book award
2024-05-20The Otto Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Otto Foundation children’s book award. | Die Otto Stigting kondig met trots om ’n nuwe jaarlikse kinderboektoekenning aan.
The city is mine by Niq Mhlongo: a book review
2024-05-19"Mhlongo, through the character of Mangi, loves Johannesburg with the insane and obsessive love of a jilted lover."
Invitation | Skrywersaand at Oude Leeskamer with Ivan Vladislavić and Justin Fox, 21 May 2024
2024-05-17Oude Leeskamer is proud to announce the launch of The near north by the award-winning Ivan Vladislavić on 21 May 2024 at 18:00. He will be joined by Justin Fox, whose Place: South African literary journeys has recently enjoyed a fifth print run. Skrywersaand host Jonathan Amid will lead the discussion.
Press release: The Ingrid Jonker Prize for English poetry 2024 | Invitation to submit entries
2024-05-14Poets or their publishers are invited to submit entries for the Ingrid Jonker Prize for English poetry in 2024. The closing date for submissions is 20 June 2024.
My big fat Greek taverna: From diplomacy to ouzo by Costa Ayiotis: a book review
2024-05-07"Admittedly, it is tricky to write about a journey with food. Unless you are writing a recipe book, how do you go about it? The book is a blend between autobiography and narrative novel."
Seen elsewhere: The SA Children’s Laureate Award
2024-05-07"On Friday, during the South African Festival of Children’s Literature, I have been presented with the SA Children’s Laureate Award for my contribution to SA children’s literature."
Press release: A conference that explores all aspects of children’s literature
2024-05-04Amazwi South African Museum of Literature invites you to a conference that explores all aspects of children’s literature, from picture books to young-adult fiction.
SA Festival of Children’s Literature 2024: an interview with Darryl David
2024-04-30"Rather than charge an entrance fee, we want children to be able to go home with a book or at least carry a story that they heard at the festival in their hearts for the rest of their school days, at least."
Invitation | Skrywersaand at Oude Leeskamer with Fiona Snyckers and Nick Clelland, 15 May 2024
2024-04-29The third event in the Skrywersaand series will feature the launch of two compelling thrillers: The hidden by Fiona Snyckers and Good Hope by Nick Clelland. Both novels are set in the near future, The hidden in the United States and Good Hope in an unsettling version of what readers would recognise as Cape Town. Jonathan Amid will lead the discussion, delving deeply into questions of genre, power, place and the politics of fear.
World book day: Four young-adult (YA) authors chat about their work
2024-04-23"I was asked to speak about young-adult fiction (YAF). It is a topic I am passionate about, and I love reading YAF, but I am really old. That was one of the reasons I asked four YA authors to share their views on their own writing with the girls. The authors agreed to share their insights with the rest of the country on World Book Day."
Tinnitus: my near north (on The near north by Ivan Vladislavic)
2024-04-19"The near north is a book of memory, about life and death, joy and sadness, spatial geography and the thinking and not thinking behind human settlements."
The hidden by Fiona Snyckers: an inter-review
2024-04-19"This is my first traditionally published novel set outside of South Africa. This is a story that could only be set in the USA. The combination of survivalist cult, ultra-right-wing white supremacists and federal authorities could only take place there. That was the story I felt compelled to tell, and that dictated the setting."
