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Deadline: 30 April 2011

Exclusive Books, in association with IBBY SA, is once again delighted to announce its sponsorship of the Exclusive Books IBBY SA Award, for the best original children’s picture book or illustrated children’s story book published in South Africa.

For the Exclusive Books IBBY SA Award 2011, we invite submissions of books published between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010. The rules and conditions are detailed below.

Please send submissions (two copies of each title) to Exclusive Books Head Office before the 30 April 2011.

Colleen Whitfield
Corporate Social Investment & Children’s Books Manager
Exclusive Books
1st Floor | Rivonia Village | 3 Mutual Road | Rivonia
Tel: 011 798 0000 | Fax: 086 682 8794 | colleenw@exclusivebooks.co.za

The Rules of the Exclusive Books IBBY SA Award

1 The name of the award is: ‘The Exclusive Books IBBY SA Award’.
2 It is awarded to the illustrated literary work for children (i.e. picture book or illustrated children’s story book or illustrated book of poems) adjudged the best in the period of adjudication.
3 Books that are clearly works of non-fiction are not eligible.
4 The award is R5 000.00 for the writer and R5 000.00 for the illustrator.
5 If the writer is also the illustrator, the award is R10 000.00.
6 If there are two or more writers or two or more illustrators, the respective award is shared equally.
7 The writer and illustrator must be South Africans, whether living in South Africa or not; or non-South Africans living and working in South Africa.
8 The book must be an original work written in any of the official South African languages.
9 The book should not be a re-issue or a re-working of a previously published book.
10 The book must have been published in South Africa.
11 The award is given to a book that is recognisably South African in character.
12 The award is made every second year, from 2007 onwards.
13 The two-year period for eligibility shall be the previous two calendar years.
14 The sponsor of the award is Exclusive Books, and the judging of the award is entirely in the hands of IBBY SA.
15 The jury will ideally consist of a non-practising publisher of children’s books, an academic in Fine Art with specialisation in design and book illustration, the Chairperson of IBBY SA, the IBBY SA Executive members responsible for the awards portfolio, and any members co-opted from the areas of design, public and school libraries, academic librarianship, and book-selection for children.
16 The jury is to be convened and chaired by a member of the IBBY SA Exec.
17 No staff-member of a participating publisher may sit on the jury; no writer or illustrator of a book that is entered may sit on the jury; no one who has contributed in any way to the production of a book that is entered may sit on the jury.
18 No correspondence concerning the adjudication or the award may be entered into.
19 A shortlist of five (or fewer) titles may be published some weeks before the final award is announced.
20 The award will be announced at an Exclusive Books event in September or October in a major South African city, the date, venue and details of the event being at the discretion of Exclusive Books.
21 Exclusive Books will invite all South African authors, illustrators and publishers to submit two copies of eligible titles between 1 February and 30 April of an awarding year.
22 The publisher of the winning book must be prepared to donate a minimum of ten copies for review and promotional purposes.

Deadline: 30 November 2010

In the context of Estoril Conferences a prize of 70,000 Euros is being awarded to the best book on globalisation. The Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize is the biggest award in the field of international studies. It is awarded every two years to books which offer outstanding analysis of global issues. The prize honours books which have contributed new and original ways of thinking and which set out clear and topical policy recommendations in this area. The international jury looks for books that offer rigorous and well defended conclusions and that are written in clear and accessible language aimed at wide audiences.

The Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize is not intended to endorse any particular theoretical analysis or policy agenda. Instead, it seeks to identify a major piece of work which contributes to changing the terms of reference of how we think about global challenges.

The jury of the Estoril Global Issues Book Prize is presided by Professor David Held, Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Governance at the London School of Economics and Political Science and includes Professor Carlos Lopes, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR and UN Staff College, Amabassador Rubens Ricupero, Former Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Professor Michael Böss from Aarhus University and Professor Bruno Cardoso Reis, Secretary of the jury and Senior Researcher at the Institute for Strategic and International Studies (IEEI).

Rules for Eligibility

(Applicable for books published in 2009 and 2010)

1. The Estoril Conferences awards every two years the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize for the best book on globalisation.

2. The prize consists of 70.000 Euros.

3. The prize is awarded by a jury of distinguished international scholars appointed by the organisers.

4. A shortlist of up to five nominee titles will be announced in February 2011.

5. The winning book will be announced in March 2011.

6. Eligible books must deal with significant global issues. Priority will be given to books that seek to provide both new analysis as well as new policy perspectives on global issues.

7. Books can be co-authored by a maximum of two authors, but no collective edited volumes will be admitted.

8. All books applying must be published between January 2009 and December 2010.

9. Deadline for submission is 30 November 2010. Six copies of each title must be delivered. When the books are not published in English, an equal number of printed and bounded copies of an English translation must also be provided.

10. Books published between 30 November 2010 and 31 December 2010 may be submitted in
galley form.

11. All titles must be submitted by the publisher or the author(s). It is their responsibility to ensure that the books, and copies of the respective English translation when applicable, arrive in a timely and cost-free manner to the post addresses indicated by the prize manager.

12. Each submission must be sent to prizemanager@conferenciasdoestoril.org, indicating the date of publication of the book, and a general overview of its contents, as well as a short CV of the author(s), all in English.

13. The winning title will produce and carry a sticker that indicates it being awarded the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize.

14. Any future printing of the prize winning book must identify in the front cover the book and the author as recipients of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize.

15. Receipts will be sent for accepted submissions. The publisher and authors will be notified should their book be shortlisted or chosen for the prize.

16. Acceptance of the prize is conditional upon the author(s) of the winning book delivering one public lecture in a date to be agreed, preferably on the following edition of the Estoril Conferences.

For further information, please contact prizemanager@conferenciasdoestoril.org

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, one of the most prestigious and well-funded prizes in the Arab World, announced its winners for the year (2010-2011) .The winners were named in five distinct categories, while four other categories were withheld for this year.

The announcement of winners came after discussions at large between the Award’s Higher Committee and Advisory Council of the results submitted by the judging panels across the Award’s nine Categories. The judges independently evaluated a total of 715 nominations received in this year’s session and submitted their evaluations against a stringent, quantifiable scoring criterion to ensure the decision is truly reflective of their independent and expert views.

The award – carrying the name of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years- was established in 2006 to foster greater scholarship and creativity by recognizing and rewarding innovators and thinkers in areas of knowledge, arts and humanities.

The award recognizes cultural achievement across one of the broadest and most diverse areas of any cultural awards internationally. The “Cultural Personality of the Year” honours prominent figures for their unique contributions to the advancement of the Arabic culture, and for works that portray tolerance and promote peaceful coexistence.

“Professor Chung has implemented one of the finest models of cultural dialogue. The Award's Advisory Council decision came in recognition of his generous contribution for more than fifty years in rooting the Arabic language in the Far East, by teaching, translating and researching our region’s culture and literature.” Mr. Al Oraimi elaborated. “His translations and writings preserve the essence of our literature across continents, only wrapped in a different language.”

Chung is the author of the 'History of Arabic Literature' encyclopedia, which comprises 1140 pages in two volumes. He currently works in various capacities, among which are Professor of Arabic Language in the University of Peking, head of Chinese Society for Arabic Literature Studies, vice president of the Culture Committee at the China-Arab Friendship Association, member of the Chinese Writers Association, and honorary member of the Arab Writers Union. He has also translated major works of iconic Arab novelists including Kahlil Jibran, Naguib Mahfouz, and Ih’san Abdul Quddus.

The winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year Award will receive a prize of one million Dirhams (around 272,242 US$, 215,007 Euros), a gold medal bearing the Sheikh Zayed Book Award logo, and a certificate of merit.

Winners in the Award’s other categories will receive around US$ 204,182 (Euros 161,255), a gold medal and a certificate of merit.

The 2011 Sheikh Zayed Book Award Winners as per the Judges results succeeded for the below reasons:

1. Best Contribution to the Development of Nations – Dr. Abdel Raouf Sinno from Lebanon for his book “Harb Lubnan 1975-1990”. The Award’s Advisory Council’s decision came in recognition of the value of the book as an accurate resource on the historical era of Lebanon from 1975 through 1990, providing an in-depth scientific analysis of the socio-economic circumstances leading to the disintegration of the country’s structure, culture and economy.

2. Best Book in Literature: Dr. Mohammad Miftah from Morocco, for his book “Mafaheem Muwasa’a Li Nazaryah Shi’ryah” - comprises of three Volumes. The Award’s Advisory Council’s decision came in recognition of the immense value of the author’s work, combining descriptive, analytical and exploratory methodologies in one scientific study of linguistics, music and psychology, in an attempt to establish a theory that links poetry to mysterious forces of the universe.

3. Best Book in Translation - Dr. Mohammad Ziyad Kibbeh from Syria, for his book “Al Tharwah wa Iqtisad Al Ma’rifah” - Translated from “Revolutionary Wealth" by Alvin and Heidi Toffler, Random House 2007. The translated reference offers solutions to critical contemporary quandaries which the winning translator has successfully communicated using excellent language while preserving the essence of the original script.

4. Children’s Literature – Afaf Tabbalah from Egypt, for her book “Al Bayt Wal Nakhlah”. The winning book was named a sophisticated diversion from the children’s literature “mainstream”. It explores the inner worlds of children, in a masterful story-telling style, leaving ample room for the young readers to view their surroundings in light of they read.

Meanwhile, awards for “Young Author”, "Fine Arts”, “Publishing and Distribution”, and “Best Technology in the Field of Culture” were withheld for this session. “This year’s nominations in these categories did not meet the Award’s stringent standards and the Advisory Council opted to withhold them as a result.” Al Oraimi explained.

The winner will be announced at the Sheikh Zayed Book Award Grand Ceremony to be held in The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on March 16, 2011, parallel to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Dates: 22 - 26 July 21011

REDSEA-ONLINE Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with other Somaliland cultural organizations, is eager to announce the Fourth Hargeysa International Book Fair (HIBF) which will take place from 22 to 26 July 2011 in Hargeysa.

HIBF is the main cultural event in Somaliland and one of the largest public celebrations of books in East Africa. Every July, HIBF brings writers, poets, artists and thinkers from Somaliland and from all over the world to share and discuss their art and literary productions with the audience. The main aim of the festival is to promote a culture of reading and writing in the country, by producing and publishing high quality Somali literature and translating international classical literature, (including fiction, poetry and drama) into Somali. We aim to enable young people to access a range of cultural heritages; our intention is to stimulate the revival of all forms of art and human expression, including painting, poetry reciting, story-telling, drama composition and of course, writing. The Book Fair is linked to its sister London's Somali Week Festival which takes place in 22-26 October.

HIBF targets not only to young audience, but to a wider sectors of the society, and it aims to help foster cultural understanding, tolerance, democracy, and an appreciation of the diversity of Somali culture and literature. In the past few years, our festivals raised the profile of reading and writing and also the integration in Somaliland of youth from different regions around the country. The main aim of the book fair in fact is to promote critically thinking culture and creative writing, to facilitate the habit of reading, to display books, from both local and writers abroad, to encourage members in the public to browse, read, engage with authors, be inspired to young people, and wider society.

Each year a theme, associated with and relevant to the issues surrounding youth and citizenship, is selected. The overall cultural programme this year will revolve around the theme of “Collective Memory.” Somaliland will be celebrating its 20 years of independence and hence the theme will touch upon events and processes that have shaped Somalilanders’ collective memories of the country. Our aim is to reflect on but also contribute to the creation of a national collective memory, through the arts. The project, this year, aims to produce its own culturally rooted literature on this theme by publishing different books, and to write a monologue drama on Somaliland's recent history: Topics such as the peace negotiation process, de-militarization, democracy and the growth of political parties, will be touched upon. Furthermore, the diversity of individual’s experiences of the new nation-state will also be captured through discussions, testimonies and different artistic genres, thus contributing to the creation of a collective memory.

The theme: Collective Memory

Contemporary usage of the term collective memory is traceable to Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) and to his student Maurice Halbwachs (1877 – 1945). Distinct from individual memory, collective memory is shared, passed on and also constructed by a group or modern society to shape their national identity. Parts of the collective memory for a nation can be represented in a physical monument, commemorative symbols, rituals, story-telling or media production, including literary creating, fiction and non fiction production, oral poetry and so on. Both “history” and “collective memory” are publicly available social facts. The difference is, while the classical history is something “dead” and confined to the past, the collective memory is something “alive” and it can be viewed as real or current history hidden in the people’s memories, experiences, testimonies, and human stories. Whilst history can explain the actors and times (who and when) of an event, it cannot capture the original emotion caused by the event. Preserving and archiving collective memory will afford people an opportunity to revisit the event and prolong its presence. We want people of different ages, different backgrounds, writers, thinkers and youth to focus on a common and shared collective memory that creates the foundation of the nation and of a national identity.

The format

The basic idea of the Book Fair is to celebrate and promote the culture of reading and writing, to create a platform where authors and other artists meet their readers and the general audience. We intend to create and facilitate an atmosphere of dialogue where ideas circulate and constructive and educational debates take place. There will be book launching events, readers clubs work presentations, meeting with authors, creative writing lessons, joyful and relaxing moments with Somali lyricists, video-screening, and poetry reciting. There will also be other parallel cultural events, covering other art genres, such as a photo exhibition and an art exhibit showcasing talented young painters in Somaliland. The overall programme will be carefully crafted to stimulate and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.

CORE EVENTS

• A high profile debate and discussion forum, organized and attended also by young people, is one of the main events of the book fair. These series of debates cut across generations, and each year youth delegations from different regions across the country gather to create a unique forum through which audience and authors meet to exchange thoughts and opinions.

• Another highlight of the cultural program is the presentation of the yearly Sheeko iyo Shaahid literary award, reserved for young short story writers. Whilst this competition is aimed at young people, we have opened it to anyone under the age of 40. We believe some older writers never had the opportunity to develop their literary skills, as the country was at war for 15 years. This year we expect even more participation, based on the trends set in the past three years. Books containing the winning stories of the past years have been published and the event has been created and followed by many young people. The 4th edition of the under-40s short story writers will be launched and an award will be presented to the authors of last year’s Sheeko iyo Shaahid competition. Volume three of the series, comprising the winning stories from last year’s competition, will be distributed to the participants of the 2011 competition, the winners of the previous competitions and all the participants of the 2010 competition.

• HIBF-2011 will introduce the “moving library” tour, which will commence a week prior to the Festival. A bus carrying books and representatives of 9 regional Readers Clubs will tour all major cities in the country prior to the festival (members of these clubs work throughout the year presenting books to local communities). In every city there will be an event in which the readers clubs and the other youth organizations will promote the books, and encourage participants and local citizens to embrace reading as a hobby. There will be “darandoorri” (reading together) sessions in which selected national and international renowned literature will be read by young people e.g., some members of the readers clubs will read excerpts of George Orwell's “Animal Farm” translated by late Mohamed Yusuf Arten and re-published by Ponte Invisibile as well as other books by authors participating on the tour. Books will be distributed to the cities and villages along the routes of this tour, and lyrical composition, specifically commissioned for event, will be performed in every city. After the tour, the regional youth and readers clubs representatives will go to Hargeysa, and showcase their work at the book fair. They will also be asked to make their work relevant to the theme of collective memory.

• Short courses: writing and photography. Due to a lack of adequate training available to young journalists and the new members of the reading clubs we intend to organise short writing courses for those struggling with the language. Our aim is engage a small group of 18 young writers and reporters (1 member from each of the Reading clubs, 5 from Somaliland press and the 12 winners of the Sheeko iyo Shaahid) to provide language, grammar and creative writing workshops. As our idea is to promote different forms of arts among the young people, and to create artistic skills, we identified this year the necessity to promote also skill in photography. Thus, an intensive photography course for 7-10 young people will be also be organized before the book fair. The course attendees will volunteer as photographers of the book fair.

• Book launching. A number of new books published specifically within this year's book festival will be launched and world-renowned authors will be invited. We will also invite and encourage the launch of other new books authored by local writers. Over four days sessions, books will be on display and people will have an opportunity to read, review and purchase books from the publishers/books sellers/authors who may want to take their literary production in the book fair. The books launched throughout the festival will touch on various aspects relating to the theme of collective memory. Exploring experiences both within Somaliland and across the Diaspora, the books will investigate a range of topics including historic events, socio-economic changes, citizenship, identity and modernity and tradition. The programme of the events will include all books that will be launched during the HIBF. If you know about a book suitable to be launched or you are author of one, please contact to the organizers before 1 April 2011 so I can be included into the programme.

• Video screenings. Last year’s video documentation will be screened. The video shows how young people in Somaliland think on about the theme of citizenship. They explained with their own words and definitions.

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Opening and closing events with music and poetry reciting. To enhance the books fair's festive and educational atmosphere, poets and lyricists will be invited to entertain the audience in a great festive yet educational event on the opening and closing days. There will be a stage event both in opening and closing day.

• Commemorating Madar: a young and talented painter. Madar Osman was young artist and a teacher, who only last year demonstrated a unique talent. Unfortunately Madar died in a car accident soon after the Hargeysa International Book Fair and Mooge Festival of 2010. This year we will showcase his art production and some of his most interesting works will be displayed during the book fair.

• The Science Awareness Day. The Science Awareness Day is significantly important to Somaliland's development in the long terms. Somaliland needs to move shift its emphasis on manufacturing nation rather than the notion of relying on other nations' gift aids. With the motto "Science for Sustainable Development', the Day hopes to mobilise the energy and resources of the diaspora community to effectively contribute to development of Somaliland.

• Photo exhibition: Somaliland faces. Professional photographers and photojournalists will be invited to display their photographs of the people and the land.

PRE AND POST LITERARY PRODUCTION

A number of books will be published and/or translated into Somali before the Hargeysa International Book Fair, and they will be delivered to Hargeysa in time in order to be launched during the book fair. These include books specifically related to the theme of the year and commissioned by the organizers (see in the programme of events the list of books being published this year).

After the book fair, several materials will be published, including:

o Proceedings book on the Book Fair, including all the papers presented
o Educational material for the Creative Writing course.
o Volume four of Sheeko iyo Shaahid winning stories collection. This competition is a flagship asset for our cultural program, and is intended to inspire the youth to get involved in critical thinking and in composing, storytelling, preserving and participating in Somali culture and arts.
o Audio-visual: A DVD Documentary Film containing the Moving Library Tour, the drama and lyrics produced for the reading promotion, and the major events of the HIBF-2011.

All materials produced during and for the Book Fair, including the documentary film and printed literature, will be presented in our sister Somali Week Festival 2011 in October and then in several other European countries including Denmark (November 2011), The Netherlands (December 2011) and January 2012 (Italy).

Guest of honour country

As in the past years, HIBF will host a guest country by inviting writers and publishers of that country. Literature from and on that country will be displayed during the book fair. For this year’s festival, we are exploring the best option among a set of guest honour countries.

Keynote speakers, guest authors and artists

HIBF-2011 will feature prominent national and international authors, artists and speakers, including Somaliland based authors, diaspora based authors as well as internationally celebrated authors who will present their literature. The invited keynote speakers will be announced soon. In the meantime, the organizers invite all authors and publishers who may want to present their literature to contact them before 1 April 2011. Please send your inquiry to jama@redsea-online.com.

Venue: Guriga Shaqaalaha, Hargeysa, Somaliland.

Event dates: July 22 - 26, 2011

Event hours: 09:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Deadline: 31 December 2010

The Griffin Poetry Prize

1. The Griffin Poetry Prize, valued at C$130,000, is awarded annually in two categories – International and Canadian. Each prize is worth C$65,000.
2. In each category, the prize is for the best collection of poetry in English published during the preceding year. One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada.
3. Translations are assessed for their quality as poetry in English; the focus is on the achievement of the translator.
4. Should a prize-winning book be a translation from a living poet, the prize is awarded 60% to the translator and 40% to the original poet. If the original poet is dead, but his/her work is within copyright, 40% of the prize is given to the original poet’s estate. Otherwise, the disbursement of that portion of the prize is left to the discretion of the judges.

The Judges

1. Qualified judges of stature will be selected annually by the Trustees.
2. Judges may not be on salary at a publishing house that issues contemporary poetry.
3. The judges will compile a short list of up to seven outstanding books of poetry, four International and three Canadian.
4. From the short list, the judges will select the final winners in the International and Canadian categories. Short-listed Canadian books are eligible for both prizes.
5. The judges have absolute discretion in interpreting the rules, and their decision is final.
6. All decisions of the judges will be unanimous.
7. Click here for the current panel of judges.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Submissions must come from publishers, who may enter an unlimited number of titles.
2. To be eligible for the International prize, a book of poetry must be a first-edition collection (i.e. not previously published in any country), written in English, or translated into English, by a poet/translator from any part of the world, including Canada.
3. To be eligible for the Canadian prize, a book of poetry must be a first-edition collection (i.e. not previously published in any country), written in English or translated into English by a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident in Canada.
4. Books must have been published in English during the calendar year preceding the year of the award.
5. Winning the Griffin Poetry Prize (or any other prize) in previous years does not render a poet ineligible for the current year’s prize.
6. Only books of poetry written by authors or translators alive at the date of publication will be considered.
7. Books must be the work of one poet.
8. Volumes of Selected and/or Collected poetry, previously published, will only be eligible as translations.
9. Combinations of Selected and/or Collected poetry, combined with previously unpublished poetry, will only be eligible as translations.
10. A book of translations by two translators is eligible if they have collaborated throughout. A collection of translations by various hands is not eligible.
11. A book by a Trustee or current judge is not eligible.
12. No self-published book is eligible.
13. The judges’ decision as to a book’s eligibility is binding.
14. All books must carry an ISBN.
15. A book is defined as having at least forty-eight pages.

Conditions of the Prize

1. A book which is entered for the Griffin Poetry Prize will not qualify for the award unless the publisher agrees:
* To prepare and encourage its nominated poet(s) to participate in all reasonable publicity associated with the Griffin Poetry Prize;
* To sticker copies of the winning book with the Griffin Poetry Prize seals (to be provided by the Griffin Poetry Prize);
* To secure the prior written approval of The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry with respect to art work, when including facsimiles of the Griffin Poetry Prize seal on all reprints of the winning book(s); and
* To comply with Rule 6(g).
2. Poets and publishers agree to permit The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry to include selections from short-listed works in a Griffin Poetry Prize Anthology. A one-time permission fee of C$200 will be paid to each originating publisher of the short-listed books. Proceeds will be donated to a literary cause.

Submission Procedures and Deadlines

1. Publishers may submit any number of titles, each published (or scheduled for publication) before the annual deadline of December 31st, for delivery by no later than January 10th.
2. Submissions postmarked after December 31 of each year will not be eligible.
3. The Griffin Poetry Prize may at any time call in a book which has not been submitted. In that event, the publisher will be required to forward an entry form along with four copies of the book to the Griffin Poetry Prize, and to comply with all other rules and regulations.
4. The Griffin Poetry Prize will acknowledge receipt of submissions.
5. No books will be returned to publishers.
6. Four copies of each book must be submitted to:

Mrs. Ruth Smith
Manager
The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry
363 Parkridge Crescent
Oakville, Ontario L6M 1A8, Canada
Canada

7. Each submission must include an Entry Form along with any available press material, including a current biography and photograph of the author and/or translator. (Preferred photograph formats are 8.5×11 black and white print or high resolution [300 dpi or greater] TIFF or JPEG file.)

Finalists

1. A short list of finalists will be announced in March or April of each year. National and international publicity, promoting the short-listed poets and the Griffin Poetry Prize, will begin at that announcement and continue until after the winners are declared.
2. It is expected that shortlisted poets will participate in reading their poetry at a public event and will attend the awards ceremony.
3. $10,000 will be awarded to each shortlisted poet, conditional upon the shortlisted poet attending and participating in the annual Readings event.
4. In the event that a shortlisted book is a translation, the $10,000 will be equally shared between the translator(s) and the living poet, conditional upon (c) above.
5. The readings and the awards evening of the Griffin Poetry Prize will take place in Canada over two days in May or June of each year.
6. The Griffin Poetry Prize will bear the cost of travel and overnight accommodation for authors who live outside Toronto, Canada.
7. The judges will select the short list and the winners in private deliberations. Publishers will receive no advance notice of the short-listed nominees or the winners.

All enquiries should be directed to:

Mrs. Ruth Smith
Manager
The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry
363 Parkridge Crescent
Oakville, Ontario L6M 1A8
Canada
Telephone: (905) 618 0420
E-mail: info@griffinpoetryprize.com

Download the Rules

griffin-prize-rules.pdf (~170K)
Click here for the entry form

We invite submissions in English from authors around the world. Authors from countries/regions, such as Africa, Bangladesh, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Middle East, Pakistan, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, are encouraged to send submissions.

AMZ Publications’ scholarly and academic books fall under the categories of history, social sciences, humanities, and political science. These publications are typically historical non-fiction and include books for the mainstream as well as materials (e.g. chronologies) which facilitate scholarly research.

AMZ Publications is a USA based publisher. Our books are printed and published in the USA in hard cover. We also have the ability to produce books in soft cover. AMZ’s books meet the high quality standards of the American publishing industry.

AMZ uses the world's largest distribution channels of wholesalers and retailers, which market our publications. AMZ’s books are cataloged in the largest databases of published books, which enables any book supplier or retailer (with access to these databases) located anywhere in the world to order our books. In addition, AMZ Publications’ books are made available via numerous online book stores and can be ordered through any major retailer.

TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS

International Business and Trade

AMZ Publications produces materials which are designed to promote and develop international trade in various industries. Our currently published books include guides on import and export, which serve as great resources for entrepreneurs in a number of industries.

The audience for these professional publications is worldwide, and customers include start-up import and export companies, export promotion agencies, trade associations, Chambers of Commerce, and libraries.
Scholarly and Academic

AMZ Publications’ scholarly and academic books fall under the categories of history, social sciences, humanities, and political science. These publications are typically historical non-fiction and include books for the mainstream as well as materials (e.g. chronologies) which facilitate scholarly research.

The audience includes research institutions and libraries, individual researchers (e.g. historians, authors, professors, students, journalists, and so on) as well as mainstream readers with an interest in history. Our books can be found in many world-renowned research libraries.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

AMZ Publications invites manuscripts in English. We invite submissions on business and trade and in the areas of history, social sciences, humanities, and political science. We also consider submissions on other subjects.

We invite submissions in English from authors around the world. Authors from countries/regions, such as Africa, Bangladesh, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Middle East, Pakistan, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, are encouraged to send submissions.

Guidelines for Proposal Submission

If you would like AMZ to consider your work for publication, please send us a detailed proposal including the following:

* Author information: curriculum vitae
* Manuscript information: proposed title, length, format, thesis/abstract (500 words or less), outline of each chapter, information on illustrations (number and black/white vs. color)
* Proof of copyright permission (if works of other author(s) are used)
* External review(s) of manuscript
* Reviewer(s) information: name, credentials (curriculum vitae, or at minimum, title, affiliations, and relevant experience), contact information (address, phone, and email)

In your proposal, please also provide brief answers (200 words or less) to the following application questions:

1. Please tell us why your book is different from other books published on your subject. What market interest does it have and what new features does it offer? Why should we publish your work? Please include a list of competitive titles with names of their publishers.
2. Please describe what research methods and resources have been used in your book.
3. Do you already have an idea of the size of the market of your proposed publication; if yes, share your assessment and include the basis for your judgment.
4. Which journals, magazines, newspapers, etc., in your opinion, would be willing to review copies of your work?
5. Do you think your subject is important enough that it will draw media attention and invitations for media interviews with you? If yes, name the media.
6. Which local/domestic book wholesalers or major retailers do you think would express high demand for the subject of your book? Provide name, contact, and web site address.
7. In your opinion, for which award can your work be nominated?
8. How do you plan to promote your book? (media contacts, speaking engagements, book launching ceremony, etc.)

Please Note: Proposals may only be submitted for completed manuscripts. Prior to submitting a book proposal, an author must get his/her manuscript reviewed by at least one relevant expert in the field.Proposals may only be submitted if the manuscript has not been published previously and is not under review for publication elsewhere.

Please send your proposal in one MS Word file to the attention of Acquisition Department via e-mail: amzpub@yahoo.com

Proposal and Manuscript Review

Upon review of the author’s book proposal, we will let you know if there is further interest. If an author’s book proposal fits AMZ Publications’ criteria, the author will then be invited to submit the full book manuscript for final evaluation.

The review and evaluation process will be based on many factors, including the nature, quality, and credibility of the content; the review and number of reviews are also essential components of our decision.

Please Note: Submission of a proposal or manuscript does not mean that AMZ Publications will definitely accept the submission for publication. Additionally, the author must retain copies of all submissions; we are not responsible for loss or damage (for any reason) to submitted work.

Date: 10 April 2011

Catering to the independent writer and artist the annual AAMBC Literary Awards is set to announce the official winners at the 1st annual Baltimore Urban Book Festival on April 10, 2011 at the The Fredrick Douglass-Issac Myers Maritime Park Museum. For the third year AAMBC will honor those who made an impact in the industry with new categories such as Reader’s Choice and Honoree categories such as Awarding of the Indie Writer Sponsorship Award, Literary Legend Award Honoree, and Urban Fiction Book of the Year Honoree. With the same goal in mind of exposing prominent independent writers, there is no other award like AAMBC.

With a new development of the AAMBC awards committee who will take it upon themselves to select the honorees this year’s Award Ceremony is destined to take it to an all new greater heights.

Event Details

This year the 3rd Annual AAMBC Literary Award ‘s will be announced at the Baltimore Urban Book Festival this April. Since 2008, AAMBC, one of the leading literary sources for urban lit, has promoted and supported today’s Indie writers. In its fourth year of existence it takes its annual awards to the great city of Baltimore to announce the winners of this year’s AAMBC Literary Awards.

With new categories from Reader’s Choice Awards to the Urban Book of the Year, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see what elites will take home the title.

In a short segment hosted at the 2011 Baltimore Urban Book Festival our AAMBC President will announce the Literary Legend, the Awarding of the Indie Writer Sponsorship Award, as well as following categories

• Female Author of the Year
• Readers Choice
• Male Author of the Year
• Romance Author of the Year
• Designer of the Year
• Street Lit Writer of the Year
• Book Club of the Year
• Indie Book Store of the Year
• Indie Publisher of the Year
• Magazine of the Year
• Book Reviewer of the Year
• AAMBC Author of the Year
• Literary Talk Show of the Year
• Debut Author of the Year
• And the Urban Fiction Book of the Year Honoree

The Fredrick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park
1417 Thames St
Baltimore MD 21231

Deadline: 29 April 2011

READ International, a student-led educational charity that distributes textbooks to secondary schools in East Africa, is delighted to announce the official launch of the 2011 Read for READ Anthology Competition, on World Book Day, 3rd March.

The Read for READ Anthology 2011 is a unique short story competition for young, socially motivated aspiring writers, and will be launched with support from the British Library. To celebrate the endless possibilities that can derive from a single book, the theme of the anthology this year is ‘The Book Effect’, and will be a collection of stories that focus on inspiration and motivation.

Entrants can submit their story for free in the Read for READ competition, get the chance to have it judged by some of the best in the industry and be published in the anthology alongside established authors and other aspiring writers. Writers that get through to the second round of the competition will have their stories published on the READ website and will battle it out for public votes. Each vote token will cost 50 pence, the cost for READ International of sending a book to a child in Africa.

As Rob Wilson, founder of READ International, says ‘It never costs READ International more than 50 pence to move one book from a UK classroom into the hands of a Tanzanian or Ugandan school child or teacher’. With over three thousand pounds raised by voting cast by the public in 2010, the Read for READ anthology raised the potential to send 1500 books to East Africa. demonstrating how a love of reading and writing in the UK can directly enable more reading and writing amongst students in East Africa.

In anticipation of sending our one millionth book to East Africa this year, the Read for READ Anthology completes the circle of young aspiring writers and global citizens encouraging a new generation of readers and writers to become more socially engaged.

Sonny Leong founder of Cavendish Publishing and Hon. President of the IPG said, “The Read for READ competition is an aspiring initiative for anyone who wants to put pen to paper, realising a dream to be published and at the same time helping thousands of East African students reach their potential.”

Guidelines:

Do you love to write? Have you always dreamt of having your work published?

READ International is offering a once in a lifetime chance to make the dreams of aspiring writers a reality.

What is Read for READ?

Read for READ 2011 is READ International's second annual exciting story competition aimed at young, aspiring writers. It will be launched on World Book Day 2011 on Thursday 3rd March, supported by The British Library, and will result in the production of a published anthology bringing together the work of aspiring and established authors.

By entering the competition, young aspiring writers will have the chance to have their writing judged by some of the best in the industry, be published in an exciting short story anthology alongside established authors whilst helping raise valuable funds to improve education in Tanzania and Uganda, inspiring the next generation of young global citizens.

How can I enter?

The theme of the competition this year is ‘The Book Effect’.

At the heart of READ International’s work in the UK and East Africa is the potential for books and education to empower, motivate and inspire young people to achieve development, drive their communities forward and make change in their world. In this competition we would like you, as aspiring writers, to write a short story on this theme. It can be the subject of the writing itself or the characters within which create 'The Book Effect' and it is up to you to explore this in your entry. Be creative as you want with the theme, and then put pen to paper and enter it into our competition for free, starting your own 'Book Effect'.

For some inspiration and to see our own take on ‘The Book Effect’ click here.

To enter, write a short story of no more than 5000 words and be as creative as you like! Enter between the launch of the competition on 3rd March and the closing date on 29th April 2011. You can enter online by filling in the online Submission Form here or by sending in your printed typescript story to us, along with a signed Postal Entry Form, to READ International, 39-41 Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell, London, SE5 9NR.

Who can enter?

Anybody over the age of 16 from anywhere in the world can enter the competition.

How does it work?

Writers that get through the initial story screening will have their stories published on the READ website for 2 months, from 10th May until 10th July 2011 and will battle it out for public votes. There are no limits to the amount of votes that can be cast, and each vote token will cost 50 pence, the cost for READ International to send one book to a school student in East Africa.

The ten stories with the most votes will then go through to the final, where our panel of expert judges will pick the winners who will be published in our Read for READ Anthology 2011 alongside stories donated by established and successful authors.

Our panel of established judges includes Scarlett Thomas, an established novelist and short story writer whose works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Shortlisted for the South African Boeke Prize and longlisted for the Orange Prize, Scarlett now teaches Creative Writing at the University of Kent, and is working on her ninth novel, The Seed Collectors'. Further judges are currently being confirmed.

How can I increase my chances of winning the competition?

Provided your story makes it to the second round you will have a great chance to influence whether or not your story makes it through to the final round to be read and judged by some of the most experienced members of the publishing and literary world. It's in your hands!

You can use Read for READ as a platform to promote your work. Harness the power of social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo and Myspace, and get everyone you know, from friends, to your mum, to your next-door-neighbour, to visit the site and vote for your story.

What is the prize?

Our panel of judges will pick three winning stories from the ten most-voted-for stories that make it to the final. The prize will be publication of the winner’s stories in the Read for READ Anthology, alongside stories donated by established authors.

The anthology will be promoted and sold through our partner organisations, including expert online book seller Better World Books.

Our supporters at the British Library will host a celebratory event to honour the winners. The winners will also have the chance to meet the judges and established authors at this event.

For more details please have a look at the competition terms and conditions.

Any queries? Contact abi.colley@readinternational.org.uk

Submissions form >>

Deadline: 1 April 2011

Within the series, each Press will focus on specific aspects of folklore studies related to its areas of expertise:

• Illinois on gender and queer studies, world folk cultures, and multiculturalism as manifested in forms of vernacular expression such as music, dance, and foodways;
• Mississippi in folk art, American folk music, African American studies, popular culture, and Southern folklife;
• and Wisconsin in folklore studies that intersect with Upper Midwest cultures, Southeast Asian studies, Slavic and Eastern European studies, gay/lesbian studies, Irish/Irish-American studies, and American popular culture.

About the Initiative

Folklore Studies in a Multicultural World is a series that will publish top-notch first books in folklore studies. Funded by a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the series is a collaborative venture of the University of Illinois Press, the University Press of Mississippi, and the University of Wisconsin Press, in conjunction with the American Folklore Society. The series will emphasize both the interdisciplinary and the international nature of original scholarship in folklore, touching on a vibrant array of expressive phenomena, such as language, music, dance, foodways, play, gestures, and beliefs. It will help to identify and develop exceptional first books in an increasingly underserved field, as well as to help support the work of university presses publishing in this area.

General guidelines

Proposal must be for a first book. Proposed projects must be single-authored, nonfiction books based on folklore research. Edited volumes, photography collections with minimal text, and memoirs will not be considered. Applicants may indicate in their proposal whether they have a preference of publisher.

Proposals should include a 5- to 10-page description of the project that addresses the questions below. The first page of your proposal should include your name, a preliminary title for your book, and your complete contact information (name, address, telephone number, e-mail, and fax if any). Please also include an annotated table of contents, one sample chapter (revised, if from a dissertation), and your curriculum vitae or resume. Although the initial proposal should include only one sample chapter, if your proposal is accepted we will expect you to provide us with at least two chapters.

Proposals should be submitted via e-mail between January 1, 2011 and April 1, 2011, to fsmw@uillinois.edu. Please type "FSMW Workshop Proposal [your surname]" in the subject field of your email. For example, "FSMW Workshop Proposal Bergen" or "FSMW Workshop Proposal Zavada."

Email submissions are strongly preferred. If unable to submit via email, please send complete materials by mail to:

FSMW Workshop Proposal
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820

All applications will be considered together after the April 1 submission deadline. Editors at the participating presses will select up to six authors to participate in the workshop. Applicants will be informed no later than June 1 whether or not their project has been selected for the workshop and for further consideration for publication in the book series. Because of the volume of submissions, it is not possible for the participating presses to offer detailed responses to each proposal submitted. Only those candidates selected for the workshop will receive a detailed response.

Basic description

Explain the essence of your project. What is the main point you want to make? What questions do you seek to answer? How will your book add new knowledge, new breadth, a new perspective, or a new approach to the topic? How will the book contribute to existing work in the field, and how does it advance the goals of the series? Does your project intersect with public debates or issues in any way?

Audience and market

Indicate the primary and secondary audiences for the book. Who, principally, will buy and read it? What other readers might it attract? Does it include insights of interest to people outside your own specific field—scholars in intersecting areas or interested readers beyond academe? Would your book lend itself well to use in college-level courses? If so, in what specific courses and at what level(s) of instruction? What books already exist on the topic, and what will set your book apart from these competing or complementary titles?

Format

What is the expected length of the manuscript (in words), including notes, bibliography, appendixes, and any other textual matter? Do you anticipate including illustrations, maps, or tables? If so, please indicate how many, what kind, and why they would add significantly to the book.

Background

If the manuscript began as a dissertation, please describe revisions you have made or plan to make so that it will attract the much larger audience required to merit publication in the form of a book. If not a dissertation, please describe the genesis of the project.

Timeline

Please indicate when you expect to have a complete manuscript ready for review.

Further Information

Additional information about the series is available at www.folklorestudies.org. Please note that by participating in the workshop authors grant the Presses right of first refusal on the manuscript.

Deadline: 15 November 2010

A book to be co-edited by Chaka Chaka (Walter Sisulu University, South Africa) and Tamishra Swain (Banasthali University, India)

Title of the Book: Afro-Asian Experiences in Language Learning through New Technologies: Research and Practice

Introduction
Issues related to African and Asian experiences in language learning and teaching may have been researched and documented accordingly. However, there exists a scholarly need to compile and document Afro-Asian language learning and teaching experiences by researchers and practitioners at lower (school) and higher educational (college and university) levels in a composite book. In particular, there is an added need to compile and document such experiences as informed by the use of new technologies (e.g., online, wireless, and mobile technologies). This is particularly so since new technologies have impacted not only on English but on other languages worldwide as well. So, some of the questions this composite book will try to answer are the following:

• What specific experiences do Afro-Asian researchers and practitioners have regarding the use of new technologies in language learning and teaching in their respective regions?
• What best practices of the applications of new technologies in Afro-Asian language teaching can Afro-Asian scholars and practitioners share with their peers and other scholars?
• What are the current pedagogical approaches and innovations related to Afro-Asian language learning and teaching that scholars and practitioners employ?
• What are projects, pilots, experiments, initiatives and case studies focusing on Afro-Asian language learning and teaching that researchers and practitioners can share with their peers and others?

Objectives of the Book
The major objective of the proposed book is to present, in a composite book, in-depth research, academic and theoretical chapters on contemporary issues related to Afro-Asian language learning and teaching as informed by the use new technologies. The book also intends providing a space for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to articulate and appropriate experiences, and new models and approaches so as to interrogate pertinent issues related to Afro-Asian languages. In addition, it serves as an avenue for exploring the interface between new technologies and Afro-Asian languages within multiple Afro-Asian contexts. Most importantly, it provides a platform for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to present their best practices, projects, pilots, experiments, initiatives and case studies as they relate to Afro-Asian language teaching and learning using new technologies.

Target Audience
The target audience of this book will comprise students, scholars, practitioners, researchers and professionals of Afro-Asian languages. Moreover, the book will provide insights and understandings to scholars, researchers and practitioners of other languages as well.

Recommended Topics
Recommended topics for this book, whose primary focus is on Afro-Asian language learning and teaching experiences as informed by new technologies, are outlined below. However, we are also keen to receive illuminating and innovative submissions in other areas not included in our list:

• Language learning and teaching experiences
• Best practices
• Lessons learned
• Innovative pedagogical approaches and design issues
• Assessment or evaluation procedures for language learning and teaching
• Skills, vocabulary and grammar teaching
• Pilots, experiments, initiatives and case studies
• Use of new technologies (e.g., mobile phones/smart phones, iPods, PDAs, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Google Docs, social networks, etc
• Digital identities and discourses within the multiple Afro-Asian learning contexts
• Digital literacies and multiliteracies
• Evaluation of the usability of new technologies
• Prospects, and future implementations and trends for deploying new technologies in Afro-Asian contexts

We are keen to receive submissions in two forms:

(1) Academic papers detailing original thoughts and first-hand experiences in varied areas of Afro-Asian learning and teaching. Such papers must adhere to the following conditions:
• Originality
• Should not have been published or not be intended to be published elsewhere
• Full chapters (between 5000-7000 words in length) conforming to the following structure: Abstract; Introduction; Background; Main discussion; Future trends/directions; and Conclusion

(2) Descriptions, discussions and reports of pilots, experiments, initiatives and case studies based on Afro-Asian language learning and teaching. These submissions must adhere to the same conditions as the ones specified above. However, they have to conform to the following chapter format: Abstract; Introduction; Literature review; Purpose; Approach/Theoretical framework; Research design/methodology; Findings and Discussion; Research limitations/implications (if applicable).

Proposal Submission Procedures
Authors are invited to submit chapter proposals (1000 words maximum and as email attachments) clearly explaining the mission and concerns of their intended chapters on or before November 15, 2010.

Important Dates
Chapter Proposal Submission Deadline: 15 November 2010
Notification of Acceptance/Rejection: 20 December 2010
Full Chapter Submission: 20 January 2010
Review Results Returned: 15 February 2011
Final Revised Chapter Submission: 10 March 2011
Final Acceptance Notification Deadline: 10 April 2011
Camera-ready Chapter Submission: 02 May 2011

Typescript, Referencing/Style manuals, Tables, Figures and Images
Manuscripts should be typed on an A-4 size paper/document, double-spaced, with generous margins at the top, bottom, and sides of the page and must be in MS Word 2003-2007 compatible format. The referencing style must conform to the APA style manual. And tables, figures and images used should be in .tif, .jpg or .jpeg format with a high resolution quality of between a 180-360 dpi setting. Copyrighted material must be acknowledged and permission to use such material must be obtained from the copyright holder. NB: All manuscripts will be peer reviewed on a double-blind review basis.

Special Request
NB: Contributors should note that they will be requested to review at least 2 or 3 manuscripts and, as such, need to attach their short biographical notes (100-150 word long) when submitting their chapter proposals. They should also furnish the following details:

Full name(s)
Title/Professional status
Department/Section/Unit
Employer/Affiliation/Organization
Country
E-mail addresses

Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) or by mail to:

Dr Chaka Chaka
Department of Humanities Education
Walter Sisulu University
Private Bag X1
Mthatha
5117
Republic of South Africa
chakachaka8@gmail.com

OR

Tamishra Swain
603, Gautam Buddh Niwas
Banasthali University
Rajasthan-304022
India
tamishraswain@yahoo.com

NB: Please ensure that the submission you email to one editor is also CC’ed (copied) to the other.

Deadline: 1 December 2011

Book Submission Information and Directions

* Review the Eligibility and Exclusions of the Selection Process before submitting titles

1. Send three (3) copies of each title to the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services. Include one for each submitted title (check back for updated form).
2. Send one copy of each title to each of the CSK Book Awards Jury members.
3. Titles submitted for the Coretta Scott King Book Awards will not be returned. Titles received by the OLOS office are donated as part of The Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grant.
4. Books must be received by December 1, 2011 to be considered for the 2012 award.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards for Authors and Illustrators

Purpose

To encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African American authors and illustrators.

Selection Criteria

The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.

The Award is further designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.

The Criteria of the award is as follows:

1. Must portray some aspect of the black experience, past, present, or future.
2. Must be written/illustrated by an African American
3. Must be published in the U.S. in the year preceding presentation of the Award.
4. Must be an original work
5. Must meet established standards of quality writing for youth which include:
* Clear plot
* Well drawn characters, which portray growth and development during the course of the story.
* Writing style which is consistent with and suitable to the age intended
* Accuracy
6. Must be written for a youth audience in one of three categories:
* Preschool-grade 4
* Grades 5-8
* Grades 9-12
7. Particular attention will be paid to titles which seek to motivate readers to develop their own attitudes and behaviors as well as comprehend their personal duty and responsibility as citizens in a pluralistic society.
8. Illustrations should reflect established qualitative standards identified in the statement below:

Illustrations should... “heighten and extend the readers' awareness of the world around him. They should lead him to an appreciation of beauty. The style and content of the illustrations should be...niether coy nor condescending...Storytelling qualities should enlarge upon the story elements that were hinted in the text and should include details that will awaken and strength the imagination of the reader and permit him to interpret the words and pictures in a manner unique to him”

--Cianciolo, Illustrations in Children's Books (p. 24-25)

Eligibility and Exclusions

1. Author or illustrator must live in the U.S. or maintain dual residency/citizenship.
2. Book must be published in the year preceding the year the award is given, evidenced by the copyright date printed in the book.
3. Only finished copies will be accepted. Do not send advance reader copies, galleys, etc.
4. Titles submitted for the Coretta Scott King Book Awards will not be returned. Titles received by the OLOS office are donated as part of The Coretta Scott King Review Books Donation Grant

Further Information

Contact Elliot Mandel, OLOS Program Coordinator if you have questions.

ALA Office for Literacy & Outreach Services
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
olos@ala.org

Announcement of overall winners: 21 May 2011

The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, internationally recognised for promoting ground-breaking works of fiction from across the globe, has announced an eclectic mix of writers from the four regions of the Commonwealth who will be heading to the final stages of the competition at Sydney Writers’ Festival in May.

The regional prize winners are:

Africa:

• Best Book: The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone)
• Best First Book: Happiness is a four-letter word by Cynthia Jele (South Africa)

• Best Book: Room by Emma Donoghue (Canada)
• Best First Book: Bird Eat Bird by Katrina Best (Canada)

• Best Book: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (UK)
• Best First Book: Sabra Zoo by Mischa Hiller (UK)

• Best Book: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott (Australia)
• Best First Book: A Man Melting by Craig Cliff (New Zealand)

Deadline: 31 May 2011

WHIRLWINDS: Emerging Communities of Sexual Minorities in Africa will be an anthology that will examine the ways that sexual minorities are organizing themselves in new ways to create groups, networks, organizations, and movements across sub-Saharan Africa. By sexual minorities, we understand not only lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex groups but also localized endogenous sexual minorities, such hungochani, gor jigeen, dan daudu, and infinitely many others.

Scholars, writers, and activists are invited to submit abstracts for chapters that will contribute to an upcoming book project entitled WHIRLWINDS: Emerging Communities of Sexual Minorities in Africa, edited by Mark Canavera and Charles Gueboguo.

Editors’ Biographies

MARK CANAVERA is a writer, humanitarian aid worker and activist who works primarily in West Africa. His humanitarian efforts focus on youth empowerment and child and family welfare in settings impacted by conflict such as former child soldier reintegration in northern Uganda, small arms control in Senegal, girls education promotion in Burkina Faso, and child welfare system reform in Côte d’Ivoire and Niger. Mark was a founding editor of the Harvard Africa Policy Journal and served on the editorial staff of the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy. He writes features and op-ed pieces on African affairs and writes for The Huffington Post, America’s most widely read online newspaper. He received Harvard University’s prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award for Public Service in 2008 and the Best Feature Writing in 1996 from the South Carolina Press Association.

CHARLES GUEBOGUO is an African scholar and author whose has developed pioneering research around sexual identity in French-speaking West Africa. His first book, La Question homosexuelle en Afrique: le cas du Cameroun (The Issue of Homosexuality in Africa: The Case of Cameroon), published in 2006, was the first French-language book-length study of African homosexuality and the first of its kind published by an African scholar. It was followed in 2009 by Sida et homosexualité(s) en Afrique: Analyse des communications de prévention (AIDS and African homosexualities: An analysis of preventive communication strategies), a critical reflection on the lack of appropriate HIV-prevention communication strategies for sexual minorities. He recently co-edited a special edition of the Canadian Journal of African Studies, which presented cutting-edge research and perspectives on sexualities in Africa. He was the recipient of the 2007 Fraser Taylor Award of the Canadian Association of African Studies and the 2009 International Resource Network Africa Simon Nkoli Award in recognition of outstanding contributions in the study of sexuality in Africa.

Overview

WHIRLWINDS: Emerging Communities of Sexual Minorities in Africa will be an anthology that will examine the ways that sexual minorities are organizing themselves in new ways to create groups, networks, organizations, and movements across sub-Saharan Africa. By sexual minorities, we understand not only lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex groups but also localized endogenous sexual minorities, such hungochani, gor jigeen, dan daudu, and infinitely many others.

As the book will be primarily descriptive and analytic in nature, the chapter abstracts submitted should not take the form of personal narratives or descriptions of the activities of a single organization. Rather, they should provide a descriptive, critical analysis of groups, organizations, or movements. While remaining accessible to a wide readership, WHIRLWINDS will be grounded in empirical research and thorough investigation.

The book will bring together chapters about both country-level studies and transversal analyses of major themes or trends across countries.

The editors have identified the following countries as likely chapters in the book and are seeking submissions for chapter abstracts related to them:

* Cameroon
* Democratic Republic of Congo
* Nigeria
* Senegal
* Uganda
* Zimbabwe

Writers submitting chapter abstracts about the above countries should include the following in their abstracts: a basic overview of the way that groups, organizations, communities, and networks are emerging among sexual minorities in the country; a description of the methods that the writer will use to gather the relevant data (e.g., how will she or he write about the given topic with a sufficient and credible evidence base?); and key points of analysis about the current state of communities of sexual minorities in the countries. If writers would like to submit an abstract for a country not currently identified on the above list, notably in the Maghreb, she or he is welcome to do so.

Transversal themes for which the editors are seeking submissions include:

* HIV/AIDS and communities of sexual minorities
* The interplay of Western and African organizations
* The role of women’s groups and organizations in sexual minority movements
* Transgender issues
* Historical precursors to current-day movements, groups, or organizing efforts

Writers submitting thematic chapter abstracts should include the following in the abstracts: a brief presentation of the major issues to be considered in the chapter; a description of the data set (e.g., which countries, movements, or groups will be considered in the analysis) and of the methods that the writer will use to gather the relevant data; and key points of analysis that will be undertaken. If writers would like to submit a transversal theme that is not included in above list, she or he is welcome to do so.
Writer Profiles

Given the book’s analytic nature, the editors are seeking writers with strong skills in research, critical analysis, and argumentation. Writers with journalistic and activist backgrounds are welcome to submit chapter abstracts although they must clearly lay out how they will ground their analyses in rigorous research and investigation and how they will make links to the wider body of literature around sexual minorities in Africa.

Strong preference will be given to writers from African countries and research institutes although writers of any background are welcome to submit. As the book must present a common tone, writers whose abstracts are selected for the book project should expect to work closely with the editors to revise their chapters as the project progresses. At the current time, the editors cannot guarantee any payment for work related to this book.
Instructions for Submission

Chapter abstracts should be sent by May 31, 2011 to whirlwinds@rocketmail.com.

Chapter abstracts can be submitted in either English or French although French-language writers should know that the editors will seek to publish the book through an English-language press. (Both editors speak French and will work with French-language writers on translation.)

Abstracts should be no longer than one page long, and they should be accompanied by a brief biography of the author. Writers are welcome to revise former speeches and presentations for submission as chapter abstracts as long as they have not been previously published.

Potential writers should note that the language of the chapters should avoid jargon as the book will seek to present nuanced ideas in clear, straightforward language that will appeal to a broad readership beyond academia.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: whirlwinds@rocketmail.com

For submissions: whirlwinds@rocketmail.com