Books and writers
Information about the latest books and the people behind them
Photos: The Star Soweto Literary Festival 2016
2016-08-24The Star Soweto Literary Festival 2016 took place from 19 to 21 August. Darryl David shares some of his photos with LitNet.
Midlands Literary Festival: Programme
2016-08-23KZN's premier book festival, the Midlands Literary Festival, is taking place in Yellowwood, Howick on 27–28 August. The complete programme is now available.
Programme: The Star Soweto Literary Festival 2016
2016-08-18The Star Soweto Literary Festival 2016 takes place at the Soweto Theatre from 19 to 21 August 2016 and entrance is free.
Review: Bearings by Isobel Dixon
2016-08-16"I suppose that what impressed me most about the collection is the display by a poet in full control of both the art and the craft of poetry, revealing a keen mind and an insightful intellect, always light and sparkling, never plodding or ponderous, yet always touching on what is important."
Interview: Open Book Festival 2016
2016-08-08"You don't need to have a pile of books next to your bed to enjoy the festival – what you need is a desire to listen and to share."
Interview: African languages in the South African publishing industry
2016-07-20"The state's support is needed. Industry support is needed."
Shortlist and press release: 2016 Nielsen Booksellers’ Choice Awards
2016-07-13"The SA Booksellers Association is delighted to announce the shortlisted finalists for the 2016 Booksellers’ Choice Awards."
African Library: Witch Girl by Tanvi Bush
2016-06-29"Narrated in a style initially resembling that of the typical adventure tale or the traditional “rollicking yarn” (but with several intriguing twists), Witch Girl is a novel that darkens as it moves along into the sinister aspects of a modernising African society."
Announcement: Soweto Literary Festival
2016-06-28"I say start a literary festival in one of the most famous places on the planet - Soweto. And I believe all races will come to Soweto for such a literary festival."
Book review: Burchell’s Travels by Susan Buchanan
2016-06-09"The publishers have made sure that they give pride of place to Burchell’s life and travels in a highly accessible tome that is as attractive as it is readable. They have ensured that a life of extraordinary experience, in art and science, is appropriately commemorated."
Book review: The woman next door by Yewanda Omotoso
2016-06-06"Most importantly, Omotoso shows that life and love are rarely black and white. They are full of nuances and contradictions. We can be simultaneously kind and cruel, open and closed, warm and cold."
Of romance, rugby and refugees: intertwined at the inaugural Jewish Literary Festival in Cape Town
2016-05-25"Sunday, 22 May, one of those glorious winter days in Cape Town: all light and revelation. It wasn’t even 9 am, but the queue in front of the Gardens Community Centre in Hatfield Street looked overwhelming."
Ten questions: Carnie Matisonn on Degas' Dust
2016-05-25"I’d like to think that people would be able to identify with all the universal human aspects of my story – starting from humble beginnings, trying to succeed as a musician, deciding what to do with my career, getting married, divorced, starting businesses, nearly going bankrupt, learning to fly aircraft, making a name for myself in the legal profession, and so on. There’s something for everyone in the story ..."
The 2016 Sunday Times Literary Awards shortlist has been announced
2016-05-16"Jennifer Platt, the Sunday Times Books Editor, says the 2016 shortlist finalists represent 'books of quality, that take the temperature and pulse of the nation'."
Franschhoek Literary Festival 2016: Interview with Ann Donald
2016-05-10"We understand completely the points made about decolonisation, and believe that creating, building and enhancing book festivals is key to reaching and growing the South African book-reading base."
Spier Poetry Festival 2016: dancing in other words with photos and videos
2016-05-10The third Spier Poetry Festival: dancing in other words took place on Saturday, 7 May.
Spier Poetry Festival 2016: Poets’ Welcome Dinner
2016-05-06The dancing in other words / dansende digtersfees is an annual international poetry event, curated by Breyten Breytenbach, Dominique Botha and composer Neo Muyanga. This year's participating poets were introduced at a special Poets’ Welcome Dinner at Spier on Sunday, 1 May.
Spier Poetry Festival: Quick Q&A with Hans C ten Berge
2016-05-05"The translator should be patient and persevering: endurance is the solution to difficult problems which may have left the translator in despair for quite some time." – Hans C ten Berge
African Library: The Train of Salt and Sugar by Licínio de Azevedo
2016-05-05"This fine and moving text by an author originally from elsewhere is a rich contribution to the African library ..."
Jozi Literary All Stars: 3 May 2016
2016-04-29Six award-winning Johannesburg novelists, Fred Khumalo, Harry Kalmer, Ivan Vladislavic, James Whyle, Kleinboer and Yewande Omotoso will be reading new and published work at David Krut Books.