We’ve changed our weekly literary news roundup just a bit for the new year. From now on, you’ll find tips on #ReadingAfrica all year round, great titles to check out from our backlist, and of course, other bookish news from across the internet. Think of this as a mini newsletter (for the regular-sized serving of our newsletter, subscribe here). Happy reading!
“These books may have hard topics but they essentially are a needed part of education. They might be brutal and hard to swallow, but they are the best examples of real-world problems and history.” Students give their thoughts on the book bans happening across the nation.
What a day! Both Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde were born on this day (February 18). Here are a few places to learn more about these two influential authors:
The Legacy of Audre Lorde at The Paris Review
Audre Lorde at the Poetry Foundation
The Genius of Toni Morrison’s Only Short Story at The New Yorker
13 Groundbreaking Toni Morrison Works to Read Right Now at Oprah Daily
“When I was writing my debut novel, The Boy with a Bird in His Chest, I wanted to capture the feeling music gives me, the way it can turn a mood or make me feel seen.” Author Emme Lund on the power of music in fiction. (Related: Hannes Barnard, author of our recent release, Halley’s Comet, feels the same way and has a playlist to prove it)
A fascinating look at the life of Toshio Mori, the First Japanese American to publish a book of fiction.
Great opportunity for Black poets: Cave Canem and EcoTheo Collective announce the 2022 Starshine and Clay Fellowship, an initiative providing financial and development support to emerging Black poets. Four recipients will each receive $500, $500 for a LOGOS reading, a $500 travel stipend and free lodging to attend the Wonder in Wyoming conference, a one-on-one consultation with the final judge, and master classes and other opportunities provided by Cave Canem. Deadline: February 28 (via Galleyway)
Trying to write a novel? (Who isn’t?). Swan Huntley has some tips.
#ReadingAfrica Roundup
Always a great chance for #ReadingAfrica: the new issue of the Johannesburg Review of Books. This month’s issue features work by Scholastique Mukasonga, Lola Akinmade Åkerström, and Nkiacha Atemnkeng, among many others.
Mona Eltahawy has a fantastic round-up of feminist news from around the globe at her newsletter Feminist Giant. This week’s post was curated by Samiha Hossain. Feminist Giant is free to read, but as Mona notes, if you can do a paid subscription, please do! It will help her pay freelancers who help her with the newsletter and you’ll be a “part of a community that cares about fighting patriarchal fuckery.”
“The Pelican is significant for its role as a nurturing hub for hundreds of musicians from all over South Africa and because its very existence defied apartheid laws.” The music and history of Soweto’s first nightclub.
Catalyst News
Did you know that Catalyst has an amazing South African team? In addition to being all around great people, that team helps get our South African releases in front of readers. And one of those, Roads and Bridges by Glynnis Hayward, is currently spotlighted in South Africa’s Constantiaberg Bulletin! We’re proud to be the South African publisher for Glynnis’ novel.
Hey! Who’s that in the New York Times today? Why, it’s Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu’s The History of Man! How nice to see you there.
You’ll be able to see Siphiwe in person (or virtually in person) in April in conversation with African Studies scholar Jeanne-Marie Jackson. And check out Siphiwe’s first appearance in the Times in this article by Dr. Jackson.
Congratulations to Hannes Barnard! His Young Adult novel Halley’s Comet has been released in English in South Africa by Penguin! We’re so proud to be the US publisher for this coming-of-age novel set in the final days of Apartheid. It’s out now!
From the Backlist
February is the month of love, so why not check out Love Interrupted by Reneilwe Malatji? This collection of short fiction examines love in all of its forms— romantic, familial, self.
Praise for Love Interrupted:
“The unsentimental style of these stories packs an emotional punch as they examine post-apartheid patriarchy through the eyes of various observant black women characters.” — Foreword Reviews
“Many readers will see themselves in—and find themselves rooting for—the women in Malatji’s solid debut.”— Kirkus
“Through three decades, two countries and multiple points of view, a complete picture of Leke’s life in the present slowly surfaces in Yewande Omotoso’s debut novel. […] Despite his quirks, Leke’s plight is curiously engaging as it speaks to the universal yearning to belong somewhere with someone.” —Shelf Awareness
