Welcome to our favorite time of the year— #ReadingAfrica Week!
Each year, during the first full week of December, we celebrate the richness and diversity of African literature all across social media, all week long.
We started #ReadingAfrica Week in 2017, and each year we ask book-lovers of all kinds to use the hashtags #ReadingAfrica or #ReadingAfricaWeek across social media on posts that spotlight 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.
Our first year was small: we reached out to just a few presses and asked them to use the hashtag on their social media posts to spotlight new books, old favorites, upcoming releases, and gems from their catalogs to show people the diversity of African literature. From that first campaign, #ReadingAfrica has only grown in scope and reach. We’ve included events, and we’ve had participants from four continents, spanning fields and organizations such as libraries, schools, publishers, writers and more. The past two years have also marked our including a companion #ReadingAfrica playlist, one curated by a member of acclaimed Afro-funk band, Sinkane, and another by a DJ/artist.
Each year, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the support of readers and publishers from around the globe, each eager to celebrate African literature. Africa is a place with incalculable stories to tell, and our goal each year is to prioritize African voices, spark conversation, and to resist the flattening of a place with limitless possibilities.
And this year, we want to help you keep #ReadingAfrica, this week, and for many weeks to come. When you purchase our books through our IndiePubs page, not only will you be supporting us with your purchase, but all this month you can save 25% off of your purchase when you use the code READINGAFRICA at checkout. This is our way of saying thank you for another great year of reading and community.
Keep up with us all week long as we spotlight the great writing coming from Africa and the diaspora, and be sure to join us for one of our three live events. All are free, but registration is required. Keep reading to learn more!
Continue reading “#ReadingAfrica Week 2023”