New writing
Fiction and prose by established and emerging authors. Send your poetry or fiction to New Writing at skryfwerk@litnet.co.za to be considered for publication on LitNet.
Please note that work previously published in print or on any online media platform will not be considered for selection.
1 April 2025: Gekkedag-uitnodiging
2025-04-01Die LitNet-redaksie nooi mense uit om vir ons te skryf oor dinge in die lewe wat gek is. Dit kan oor enigiets gaan: hoe absurd die prys van brood is, of hoe snaaks dit lyk as sekere mans snorre kweek, of watter regerings aan bewind is, of hoe vergesog dit is wat in verskillende wêrelddele aan die gang is – of net eenvoudig iets snaaks, ’n onverwagse of humoristiese staaltjie wat jy met die res van ons lesers wil deel.
The lost city
2025-02-27"When cartographers come to study us,
they’ll find no clear borders, no legend
to decode the ways, we have merged."
Dance of bloodied feet
2025-02-13"bred barefoot
to stagger over the shards
of yesteryear’s looking glass,"
Resurrection
2025-02-06"The year of the Master’s Resurrection and Ascension.
His call, as the Thunderous Sounds of the Apocalypse."
Gossiping trees
2025-01-23"An uninterrupted meeting of the minds,
Discussing thoughts, anecdotes
From the mother branches"
The show must go on
2024-09-12"The makeshift stage is artfully suited to both the tricks of high office and the gambols of farce, often indistinguishably."
From a murmur to a shout
2024-08-22"The village erupted in surprised praise. Somehow, the imagery of the entire police team, from the station commander to the most junior constable, picking up sand and wielding brooms, became a beacon of hope."
Pink suitcase
2024-08-07"when I walk out of the door
my pink suitcase rattling behind
on broken wheels I thought you would fix"
Forsaken place
2024-05-30"Nothing grows here now except silence and birdsong by day and the call of the jackal by night."
The lost diaries of Tiyo Soga
2024-02-09"It is not easy, waiting for fair sailing weather, permanently watching for the winds to turn."
Protection needed
2024-01-17"Somewhere a mother lifts
a hand to shade her eyes to look and
look again
down the long dusty street
for a son that will never
arrive again."
Wishes beyond glory
2023-08-24"I wish you the open heart that brings the truth and love to all mankind,
beyond any political blocks and false leagues.
Only the free flow of borderless wisdom!"
De-ossifying love
2023-07-27"before our love ossifies
withering unrequited unfulfilled
I will steal your heart truly
once more
committing like never before"
Baberton Daisy
2023-02-09"Let my words caress you,
my gentle hands are thornless,
here to charm you, not to harm you"
A story written by AI: "The fox astronaut"
2022-12-13"Kora was a curious little fox who had always dreamed of exploring the vastness of space. She spent her days reading books about the stars and planets, and imagining what it would be like to visit them."
AI writes a poem about sitting in the morning traffic
2022-12-13"So here’s to sitting in traffic on this morning drive,
May it be a reminder to slow down and enjoy the ride."