Books and writers

Information about the latest books and the people behind them

Joy of Books: A new literary festival in East London

Jen Bryson Moorcroft, Izak de Vries Books and writers 2022-07-14

"The aim of the festival is to bring people who love reading, books and storytelling together. We aim to create a positive space to celebrate all things literary, to encourage and inspire others to share their passion and creativity."

Bargain Books competition: Win a copy of Deception by Lesley Pearse

LitNet Books and writers 2022-07-06

Bargain Books is giving away a copy of the novel Deception. Lesley Pearse is their author of the month.

The African Library: The Jungo: Stakes of the earth by Abdel Aziz Baraka Sakin

Annie Gagiano Books and writers 2022-07-05

"The narrative of The Jungo is not a tale of victory, either, but an extremely interesting one, and the people known by this name do remain unbowed despite hardship."

Bargain Books competition: Win a copy of our new author of the month

LitNet Books and writers 2022-07-05

Bargain Books is giving away a copy of The measure by Nikki Erlick.

Author in residence: Mia Arderne

Mia Ardene, Izak de Vries Books and writers 2022-07-05

"Writing is usually such a solitary thing, and it can get lonely. So, being surrounded by other writers has been amazing. Being in a space where six of us are together and working, feels like I'm part of a community of artists where we can share our processes and our progress."

Bargain Books Q&A with Beth O’Leary

Bargain Books, Beth O'Leary Books and writers 2022-07-04

"For me, happy endings are more meaningful when you’ve seen the characters go on a tough journey to get there."

Bargain Books competition: Calling all Wimpy Kid fans to enter!

LitNet Books and writers 2022-07-01

Bargain Books is giving away a hamper full of Wimpy Kid books by Jeff Kinney. You could be the lucky winner, enter now!

Bargain Books competition: You could win a hamper full of books by James Patterson!

LitNet Books and writers 2022-07-01

Do you like the Dog diaries? Bargain Books is giving away a hamper full of books by James Patterson.

Fresh off the press: Sabotage: Eskom under siege by Kyle Cowan

LitNet Books and writers 2022-06-28

Since his appointment in January 2020, De Ruyter has faced intense opposition from within the power utility as he attempts to clean up corruption and return the electricity company to a semblance of its former glory. He is not alone.

Author in residence: Mphuthumi Ntabeni

Mphuthumi Ntabeni, Izak de Vries Interviews 2022-06-28

Mphuthumi Ntabeni is one of six authors currently in residence in Somerset East, courtesy of the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and PEN South Africa. His novel The wanderers is on the long list for the Sunday Times Fiction Prize.

Major international award for Erika Bornman, author of Mission of malice

Erika Bornman, Izak de Vries Interviews 2022-06-26

"I’m blown away and I feel so honoured. When I left KwaSizabantu back in 1993, there was very little support available to survivors of cultic and coercive groups. It was pre-internet days, too, so I was on my own and really struggled. Books saved me, however."

Slabbert: Man on a mission. A biography by Albert Grundlingh: a review

Paul Murray Books and writers 2022-06-17

"The established South African historian Albert Grundlingh explains his decision to pen the biography on Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (1940–2010). Primarily a 'social historian', Grundlingh nevertheless decided to take up the challenge as a biographer and write about Slabbert. As he was working on an article on him, so he gradually became intrigued by his subject, leading to this cradle-to-grave biography. The book explores Slabbert’s life in each of his designations – as an academic, as a politician, as a social activist and finally as a person engaged in business and entrepreneurship."

Towards Shakespearean drama: a review of Nuclear: Inside South Africa’s secret deal

Peter Vale Books and writers 2022-06-15

"The danger of this story is that the country’s international relations were out of kilter with the views of its people, but – far more importantly – that the Zuma presidency came within a whisker of bankrupting several generations of South African tax payers."

Athol Fugard’s The island – David Willers investigates

David Willers Books and writers 2022-06-14

"The island, created at the height of apartheid repression, is a remarkable play for various reasons. In order to sidestep the authorities, it was workshopped but not initially scripted; it has no single author, and when a script did finally emerge, it provided actors with sufficient latitude as to re-interpret the play’s core messaging in subsequent productions, notably in the 1980s and 1990s."

Press release: Congratulating Idza Luhumyo and Mbozi Haimbre

LitNet Books and writers 2022-06-11

Please join Catalyst Press and our publishing partner, Short Story Day Africa, in congratulating Idza Luhumyo and Mbozi Haimbre. Idza was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for her story, "Five Years Next Sunday", and Mbozi was shortlisted for a Nommo Award in the short story category for her story, "Shelter".

The AKO Caine Prize for African writing

LitNet Books and writers 2022-06-10

The AKO Caine Prize is an annual award given to an African writer for a short story published in English. This year saw a 130% increase in submissions from writers across the globe; the five shortlisted authors were selected from a total of 349 entries from 27 African countries.

Competition: You could win the collector’s edition of Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone

LitNet Books and writers 2022-06-09

On 9 June 1997, exactly 25 years ago, Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone was released. To celebrate Bargain Books is giving away two copies of Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone – 25th anniversary edition, a proper collector’s item.

Fresh off the press: New history of South Africa, edited by Hermann Giliomee, Bernard Mbenga and Bill Nasson

LitNet Books and writers 2022-06-07

This newly updated, comprehensive history of South Africa presents the story of our turbulent country in a fresh, readable narrative.

Press release: No impact assessment underlying the economically destructive Copyright Amendment Bill

LitNet Kopiereg-wetsontwerp 2022-06-06

PwC estimated that the bill will lead to a 33% reduction in booksales with 30% of the industry losing their jobs.

Competition: You could win the new memoir Finding me by Viola Davis

LitNet Books and writers 2022-06-06

There’s a new book absolutely smashing the bestseller lists and we thought you’d like to know about it! It’s a stunningly honest memoir written with unrestrained fervour, and it packs one heck of a personal punch. You could even win a copy, courtesy of Bargain Books.

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