Publish with APBF
Every year, the African Poetry Book Fund administers three prizes: the Sillerman First Book Prize for a debut collection by an African poet, the Evaristo Prize for a manuscript of 10 poems by an African poet, and the Glenna Luschei Prize for a book of poetry published by an African poet in the previous year.
For more information about our prizes, please visit our Contests page.
New-Generation African Poets
Each year the APBF, in collaboration with Akashic Books, publishes a handsomely designed box set of eight to twelve chapbooks by African poets who have not yet published a full-length collection. Each set, edited and introduced by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani, features the artwork of a leading African artist. Each chapbook is individually introduced by a prominent poet. To date, we have published 9 of these box sets, featuring 87 poets from more than 20 different countries.
Submission to this series is by invitation only.
There are numerous channels through which we seek out emerging poets. We always carefully consider the recommendations we receive from a select group of authors associated with the APBF. Additionally, each year, the APBF editorial board and the Evaristo Prize judging panel identify Sillerman and Evaristo contest entrants whose work they believe ought to be considered for the New-Generation African Poets series.
We are happy to be made aware of emerging poets, but we do not respond to individual queries to be considered for this series.
Contemporary African Poetry Book Series
Each year the APBF publishes two to six volumes of poetry by contemporary African poets. These books feature some of the best new poetry written by African poets at various stages of their career. We also publish works in translation under this series.
Translators must present documentation from the author or the author’s estate demonstrating that they have permission to translate and publish the work.
We accept unsolicited manuscripts of poetry for consideration from January 15th to March 15th through Submittable.
We do welcome query letters sent to us by email to Siwar Masannat, Managing Editor, at africanpoetrybf@unl.edu.
African Contemporary Classics Series
Each year the APBF publishes either a new and selected volume or a collected volume by a major contemporary African poet. These volumes highlight the breadth and length of poets’ careers and contributions to world literature. The series seeks to redress the problem of accessibility to the work of some of Africa’s most gifted and accomplished poets.
We welcome query letters and proposals for consideration by email to Siwar Masannat, Managing Editor, at africanpoetrybf@unl.edu.
Proposals for the African Contemporary Classics Series should include a brief biography of the poet whose work is to be collected and a brief biography of the editor, describe the contribution of the proposed book to African poetics and literature, and offer information regarding the state of the copyrights and the editor’s permission to republish the poems.
All manuscripts will be reviewed by the APBF editorial board.
On African Poetry Series
On African Poetry is a multi-genre, nonfiction series focused on African poetry and includes critical studies, biographies, essay collections, and anthologies, among other relevant genres. This series aims to secure the impact of APBF’s work in publishing African poetry by ensuring that there is a solid cultural and aesthetic foundation for the appreciation, study, and discussion of African poetics.
We welcome query letters and proposals for consideration by email to Siwar Masannat, Managing Editor, at africanpoetrybf@unl.edu.
Proposals for anthologies should identify the poetic, cultural, historical, geographic, and/or thematic scope of the collected work; describe the contribution of the proposed work to African literature and publishing; offer a representative list of poets whose works is to be included; and offer information regarding the state of copyrights and permissions to print any previously published poems.
Proposals for critical and nonfiction works should explain the central argument of the book and its contribution to African literature and literary studies; identify the cultural, historic, and/or geographic scope of the manuscript; offer an outline of the chapters or materials included; and offer information regarding the state of copyrights and permissions to print any previously published work.
Proposals will be reviewed by the editorial team, comprised of Kwame Dawes (University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Series Editor), Matthew Shenoda (Brown University, Associate Series Editor), Tjawangwa Dema (Independent scholar/artist), Tsitsi Jaji (Duke University), Mukoma Wa Ngugi (Cornell University), and Helen Yitah (University of Ghana).