Books and writers

Information about the latest books and the people behind them

UChulumanco incwadi ibhalwe ngu | by Tumelo Moleleki: udliwano-ndlebe | an interview

Naomi Meyer, Tumelo Moleleki Books and writers 2024-06-12

"Abantwana bayakuvuyela ukufundelwa ngolwimi lwabo." | "Children enjoy being read to in their own language."

Flight of the dancer by Lisa Lazarus: a reader’s impression

Isabel Hofmeyr Books and writers 2024-06-11

"Indeed, the book is richly rooted in the textures, sights and sounds of the city in the ’70s and ’80s. Whether it is bell-bottoms, Salusa 45, dwarves in Orange Grove gardens, Abdullah Ibrahim, student parties at Crown Mines, Bob Dylan, Beyers Naudé, MacGyver or The jewel in the crown, the book provides details which will trigger memories for anyone who experienced those years."

Athol Fugard and the Serpent Players: The Port Elizabeth years

Rory Riordan Books and writers 2024-06-11

John Kani: "This white man is here to suck their brains out!" Athol Fugard, the Grand Man of South African Literature, will turn 92 on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. Rory Riordan is writing a biography of the man who earned the title of "the foremost active playwright in the English-speaking world".

Press Release: AVBOB poetry mini-competition

LitNet Books and writers 2024-06-05

In April this year, the AVBOB Poetry Project ran a mini-competition on the theme "Three Ways to Look at a Person". We are announcing the names of the three winning poets and sharing their powerful words.

Press release: Programme and zoom links for Amazwi Children’s Literature Conference

LitNet Books and writers 2024-06-03

Here is a Zoom link for each day of the conference. Please find the programme for the Amazwi Children’s Literature Conference. 

Press release: One man shows: The Mbeki HIV Renaissance – the third volume is now available

LitNet Books and writers 2024-06-03

One man shows: The Mbeki HIV Renaissance (2000-2009) is the third book in the series by Pieter-Dirk Uys/Evita Bezuidenhout and welcomes the new century with a detailed focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa.

LitNet’s Kommadagga workshop with the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and Huisgenoot

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-31

The Jakes Gerwel Foundation, LitNet and Huisgenoot are eagerly awaiting applications from promising emerging writers for the Kommadagga Workshop on the fine art of writing short prose.

Darlings of Durban by Shafinaaz Hassim: a classic example of chick lit

Janet van Eeden Books and writers 2024-05-31

"Darlings of Durban is a great holiday read. While it deals with serious issues in some of the relationships of the women, the novel is not meant to be scoured for national political commentary."

Franschhoek Literary Festival 2024: A personal reflection

Karina Magdalena Szczurek Books and writers 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

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-29

The 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

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-29

The 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

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-28

There 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

Lynette Schultz Books and writers 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

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-22

Alistair 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

Izak de Vries Books and writers 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

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-20

The 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

Mphuthumi Ntabeni Books and writers 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

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-17

Oude 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.

Fresh off the press: The city is mine by Niq Mhlongo

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-14
Mangi and his fiancée, Aza, have been living together in Linden for the past eight years. One day while cleaning their bedroom, Mangi discovers Aza’s secret. The uncovering of Aza’s lie is the catalyst to the unravelling of their already tumultuous relationship. Mangi searches for meaning as he makes his way through the streets of Joburg in The city is mine
 

Press release: The Ingrid Jonker Prize for English poetry 2024 | Invitation to submit entries

LitNet Books and writers 2024-05-14

Poets 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.

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