AfroConscious

Title: AfroConscious
Author(s): Multiple authors across Africa
Genre: Poetry/Articles
Pages: 42
Publisher: Self published
Year of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 9780 626 49084

AfroConscious
U WRITE WHAT U LIKE

A compilation of contemporary Poetry Fiction Non-Fiction Reviews Features Art from across the African landscape
South Africa Mozambique Ghana Nigeria

CONTENTS

The rebirth of Kweku Ananse - Kofi Anane Kyeremeh
To her - Fadil Ishak Dapilaa
Filial love - Luzuko Gongxeka
Trapped Gagged Tongue tied - Zinzi Voyiya
Throw It Away - Kofi Anane Kyeremeh
Lest we forget - Vuyokazi S. Yonke
Christianity - Fezekile Futhwa
am i just another? - Emmanuel Ekosse
She is you -- Tsepo Gumbi
The court jester - Xolile Sizephe
Father Figures - Siya Ayanda Mbuyazi
Imagine - Olawale Adineran
Rationalizing with I - Sibongisiwe Sibeko
Sunday Confessions - Ouma Mokwana
Memory, be silent -- Danny Hanson
One Peace - Tshepo Tshabalala
Ke mo bonetse - Mpho Matsitle
Mental circumcision - Sechaba Keketsi

Features:
Sparkling women - Vuyokazi S. Yonke
Consciousness - Karabo Mkhabela

Book review and interview:
Waking Up Dead (Roger Smith) - Tshepo Tshabalala

Illustrator - Ivan Muhambe
Compiler - Vuyokazi S Yonke


Everyone has a story. Here is the platform to share yours in your own words. Write what U like!




The publication is available from Vuyokazi in Cape Town and around Johannesburg on the 16-21st December 2010.
Order by email: uwritewhatulike@gmail.com
R30 cash. R40 incl. postage



You have heard all the hype through the Facebook group: Afrikan Poets and Writers, now its time YOU believed the hype- The Book IS out!
Formerly known as U WRITE WHAT U LIKE, has now been christened as AfroConscious, you can own the first issue- it is a must have collection from youth all across the landscape of Africa!

The reason for the name change?
I was telling Ms Lunika from the National Library about this project and I mentioned the name U write what U like, and she said: "Couldn't you be more original?"
Then the name AfroConscious just materialised and I've gone for it.

I hope you enjoy this African feast of words!




The illustration on the front and back cover appear courtesy of Ivan Muhambe (Mozambique)

About the project

U write what U like is a project that has been in planning since 2009, between Emmanuel Ekosse and Vuyokazi Yonke. The idea formed through the love for written and spoken word, as well as visual art.
We have identified the need for growth and long term sustainability of literature in Africa.
Through the Facebook group, Afrikan Poets and Writers, we have opened up a platform for new poets, authors and artists to voice and showcase their talents. The Facebook group comprises of many members,
across the African continent and abroad.

Our aim is to:
- unlock undiscovered creative writing talent amongst unpublished African writers, within Africa and those who may be abroad.
- allow new voices and fresh dialogue from the African youth to ensure the continuation of African writings, by and for Africans.
- build a bridge amongst writers from different African countries, as sharing our experiences will create a sense of unity and hopefully mutual understanding.
- for African youth to have that platform to express their thoughts and views with no inhibitions or constraints.
Everyone has a story. We provide the platform to share yours in your own words. Write what U like!


In June 2010, the blog, www.uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com, became live. Featuring poetry chosen from the posts uploaded by the members on the Afrikan Poets and Writer's discussion board.
The name U write what U like is inspired by the writings of Steve Biko.
There are set themes which writers can use as a guide for their writings, the themes vary from love, to heritage and we also allow the freestyle of writing.
The blog is marketed through the Facebook and Twitter mediums for exposure, and is receiving a steady flow of visitors.
The postings on the blog vary from poetry to non fiction, competitions and literary information.
On the blog we would only post excerpts of the work submitted, the rest would appear in the Journal.
We would print selected writings for the pilot project as a Journal for sale and use the proceeds into publication of the second series, prefferably with different authors.

Submissions

U write what U like seeks to source the written work and the visual art in order to publish our combined work into a Journal.
Therefore we invite individuals to share with us their creativity, we accept creative writing and visual art from all contributors, irregardless of age, gender and nationality.
You can submit your written work- poetry, short story, articles, review, interview, and artwork, for review on the Afrikan Poets and Writers on Facebook. You can also submit your work email, uwritewhatulike@gmail.com.

Everyone has a story. Here is the platform to share yours in your own words. Write what U like!

Dear writer, rejection letter!

Below are 2 reject letters, one is from an online magazine, another from a well known local publisher.

Reject letter 1

Dear Writer,

Please check our website for what we are interested in.

*THE END*
This is a negative reject letter that doesnt offer much assistance where the writer must improve on and no further avenues to correct what is "incorrect"

Reject letter 2

Dear Writer

Thank you for contacting ABC.

Unfortunately ABC cannot offer to assess and publish your poetry.
ABC is a small company that receives several poetry manuscripts a
month and only publishes two or three collections a year. As a result,
we have decided to no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Instead, we will keep an eye on local literary journals and magazines, and approach
poets ourselves from there.

I'm attaching a list of these magazines which you could approach with
regards to getting some of your work published, as well as a FAQs
document containing information about the types of books ABC publishes
and guidelines on our submissions procedure.
I hope that you find this information helpful.

Wishing you everything of the best with your writing!

>> This is a positive reject letter from a local publisher of new authors who have become household names.
Do not take the rejection as the end, rather an opportunity to build on by improving your craft and stepping up the game.
Do not give up!

We, at U write what U like, would like to open the field to budding poets, a platform to showcase their talents in an effort to get quality work published.
We are inviting poets as well as publishers to drink from the well of poetic talent and to contribute to a literate South Africa!

Keep writing!