"...my compatriot, write Africa, and read it even more. Let our imagination and hearts wander free to places that are truly ours, unrestricted by artificial structures, for have not our gatekeepers kept us apart for long enough?"
Sola Njoku, contributor Captive: New Short Fiction from Africa
“Storytelling is a constant reminder that borders are merely arbitrary constructs meant to perpetuate separation and otherness. At the core of it all, there is a shared human experience that drives narratives around the world."
Aba Amissah Asibon, contributor Captive: New Short Fiction from Africa
“This place called Africa. You think you know it... ...It is not until you pick up a book that you realize that you probably do not know this place called Africa — its many countries and peoples, its multitudes of languages and experiences, its overwhelming diversity and vibrancy — as well as you think you do. And that is the beauty and joy of reading African Literature — the constant discovery.”
Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, author of The Quality of Mercy
Join Us for #ReadingAfrica Week 2025
December 7-13
What is #ReadingAfrica Week?
What is #ReadingAfrica Week?
Catalyst Press started Reading Africa Week in 2017 as an annual celebration of African literature. We started this campaign to bring attention to writers who are doing diverse and genre-spanning work from every corner of the African continent. And because we’re an indie publisher, we really wanted to spotlight all of the great things our colleagues in the indie publishing world are doing to bring these voices to more readers. Each year, as more of our book-loving community—teachers, authors, librarians, booksellers, literary magazines—join in, the celebration has only gotten more expansive and exciting.
Sounds Great! When is it?
We hold the event each year during the first full week of December. This year, that's December 7-13.
Oooh! Fun! I love African lit! How can I participate?
It's really easy! Join us by using the hashtags #ReadingAfrica or #ReadingAfricaWeek across social media platforms December 7-13. Use it to spotlight new books, old favorites, upcoming releases, and undiscovered gems you can't wait to share.
Who are some of the past participants?
Well, that's longer than we can list here because each year, this event has grown and grown. But since the start we've seen all kinds of amazing posts and events from indie publishers like Akashic Press, Cassava Republic, and Deep Vellum. Media outlets like Literary Hub, World Literature Today, and Arab Lit. Literary organizations like Global Literature in Libraries, Nal'ibali, and InterKontinental. Booksellers like Powells, Bookshop.org, and the American Booksellers Association. And libraries and readers from around the world.
What if I want to do more?
That's a great question! Every year, we've been thrilled to see how far beyond a hashtag the-little-campaign-that-could has gone. We've seen booklists, playlists, events, articles, reviews, bookstore displays, and more. If you want to make #ReadingAfrica Week an in-person or virtual to-do, just let us know! Let us know how you plan to celebrate by emailing us at publicity [at] catalystpress.org. We're happy to boost your event.
And if you'd like to partner with us on something special, reach out! This event is only bound by your imagination.