Litnet

"But prizes, pleasing as they are, are not the pinnacle: the ongoing privilege and pleasure of my job is the stories, the stimulation, the richness of ideas and the precious relationships with my clients."

You are invited to the launch of The Initiation by Mogorosi Motshumi on the 13th of September in Bibliophilia, Woodstock.

The annual Sefika awards evening was celebrated by South Africa’s Publishers and Booksellers at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday the 30^th August 2016.

"My name is Faustin, Faustin Nsenghimana. I’m fifteen years old. I’m in a cell in Kigali central prison. I’m waiting to be executed."

"Camaraderie. That is word which comes to mind when I think back to the one day I spent at the fabulous Soweto Theatre, attending the inaugural The Star Soweto Literary Festival."

"If there ever was a timely book, Writing what we like is definitely it. It is the brain child of Yolisa Qunta, who over the period of the past two years interviewed and collected essays written by her fellow young black South Africans for this remarkable publication."

The Star Soweto Literary Festival 2016 took place from 19 to 21 August. Darryl David shares some of his photos with LitNet.

KZN's premier book festival, the Midlands Literary Festival, is taking place in Yellowwood, Howick on 27–28 August. The complete programme is now available.

The Star Soweto Literary Festival 2016 takes place at the Soweto Theatre from 19 to 21 August 2016 and entrance is free. 

"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."

"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."

"The state's support is needed. Industry support is needed."

"The SA Booksellers Association is delighted to announce the shortlisted finalists for the 2016 Booksellers’ Choice Awards." 

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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 ..."

"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'."