When African Writers Trust journey started in 2009, we knew that we wanted to make a difference in the book sector in Africa, particularly in publishing. Over the years, we have focused on implementing holistic, long term programmes aimed at building a viable publishing infrastructure on the continent through training, […]
Ellah Allfrey
10 posts
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey started the final programme with the words, “I want us to imagine.” She then invited participants to imagine their particular projects and consider in what ways they see their projects changing and transforming the creative spaces in their home contexts. In the group conversation, participants communicated concrete […]
For this day we were joined by the British Council’s Creative Arts programme in the ‘Preparing, presenting and pitching applications for funds’ session. It was wonderful to have the contributions and participation of a whole range of writers, and other creatives including, illustrators, film-makers, and graphic designers – as we […]
This session opened with a Question and Answer session. From questions around biography/autobiography rewrite approaches, number of stories to be included in a short story collection, the debate between spoken word versus poems on the page, to the distinction between independent publishing and self-publishing. The questions came fast and furious, […]
The morning began with participants sharing with the wider group their favourite and least favourite short stories (fiction and non-fiction). The selection of stories, chosen by Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, were given to the participants to read prior to today’s session with the prime focus of engaging with the texts in […]
The AWT Publishing Fellowship Programme ‘Mentoring and Training Workshop’ began with participant introductions from a diverse group of emerging publishers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The eighteen participants represent an exciting breadth and wealth of writing and publishing experiences in East Africa. As part of […]
Written by Otieno Owino Whenever I have applied to be considered for an opportunity, I have always had mixed reactions. Where will my letter end? Will they consider it? Will they write back to say how they regret leaving me out? Or will there be a letter that drags a […]
More from the International Public Dialogue–Where is the Great African Novel— that was held on 31 May, 2012. Also present was Doreen Baingana, Ugandan author of Tropical Fish, which won the 2006 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, best first book, Africa, and an AWP Short Fiction Award. With her is Prof. Timothy […]
I am writing to invite you to participate in the international dialogue on writing and publishing. The discussion will focus on the general theme: Where is the Great African Novel? The debate will further examine some of the contemporary literary trends in writing today and new perspectives on publishing. It […]
There was poetry in all his gestures. In the way he teased and toyed with his audience; played and poked fun at the gathering of emerging and established poets and writers, students, academics and book lovers from across the board who turned up at Uganda’s National Cultural Centre on Thursday, […]