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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://jgf.org.za
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Jakes Gerwel Foundation
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTSTAMP:20260728T074926Z
CREATED:20260728T074345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T074926Z
UID:25793-1793404800-1793491199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Novel Opening and Synopsis Competition
DESCRIPTION:Have you started\, or completed\, a novel with strong\, credible characters and a page turning plot? Have you honed the first chapters? Can you put together a compelling synopsis? Yes? Then why not enter our Novel Opening competition? We welcome published\, self-published and unpublished novelists. The only stipulation is that the entry must be unpublished. \nPrizes will be awarded as follows: \n\nFirst: £500\nSecond: £200\n\nFlash500 is looking for a novel opening up to 3000 words\, plus a synopsis of the story (max 750 words) to be submitted together in a single file. If your first chapter is longer than 3000 words\, DO NOT SUBMIT A LONGER MANUSCRIPT. Simply close the entry within the 3000 word limit and make a note at the end (which will not be included in the word count) stating the chapter continues beyond this point. \nEntry fee: \n\n£10 for one novel\n£18 for two novels\n£26 for three novels\n\nOptional critique of Entry and Synopsis: £35 per story \nThis is an annual competition: entries close 31st October 2026. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/novel-opening-and-synopsis-competition/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Flash-500-4.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Flash 500":MAILTO:entry@flash500.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTSTAMP:20260730T122114Z
CREATED:20260730T122114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122114Z
UID:25812-1793404800-1793491199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:The Bedford Short Story Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Bedford Short Story Competition is open to writers worldwide over the age of 17 years. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst prize: £2000\nSecond prize: £400\nThird prize: £300\n\nGuidelines: \n\nStories must not have been published\, self-published\, published on a website\, broadcast\, been placed first\, second or third\, or been awarded a prize in any other competition.\nStories must be no more than 3000 words. Title not included in the word count.\nStories must be written in English.\nAll stories must have a title.\nStories must be typed\, double-spaced and in a readable\, 12 point font.\nNothing must appear on any page which would identify the author.\nThe filename must be the title of the story\, entered exactly as entered on the story submissions page. Do not include your name in the filename.\nThe following are acceptable electronic file formats: .doc .docm .docx .dot .dotm .dotx .odt .txt.\n\nEntry Fees: \n\nThe standard entry fee is £8.50 per story; three stories entered on the same form £17\nFor full time students\, the entry fee is £6 per story; three stories entered on the same form £12\n\nSubmissions deadline: 31st October 2026 (23:59 (GMT)) \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/the-bedford-short-story-competition-2026/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-bedford-competition-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTSTAMP:20260730T122256Z
CREATED:20260730T122256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122256Z
UID:25804-1793404800-1793491199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:The Bedford Poetry Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Bedford Poetry Competition is open to writers worldwide over the age of 17 years. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst prize £2000\nSecond prize £400\nThird prize £300\n\nGuidelines: \n\nPoems must not have been published\, self-published\, published on a website\, broadcast\, been placed first\, second or third\, or been awarded a prize in any other competition.\nPoems must be no more than 40 lines. Title not included in the line count.\nPoems must be written in English.\nPoems must be typed\, and in a readable\, 12 point font.\nNothing must appear on any page which would identify the author.\nThe filename must be the title of the Poem\, entered exactly as entered on the Poem submissions page.\nDo not include your name in the filename.\nThe following are acceptable electronic file formats: .doc .docm .docx .dot .dotm .dotx .odt .txt.\n\nEntry Fees: \n\nThe standard entry fee is £8.50 per poem; three poems entered on the same form £17\nFor full time students\, the entry fee is £6 per poem; three poems entered on the same form £12\n\nSubmissions deadline: 31st October 2026 (23:59 (GMT)) \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/the-bedford-poetry-competition-2026/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-bedford-competition-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTSTAMP:20260901T123928Z
CREATED:20260901T123928Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T123928Z
UID:26032-1793404800-1793491199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Anthology Poetry Competition
DESCRIPTION:Established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication\, the Anthology Poetry Competition is open to original and previously unpublished poems in the English language. Entries are invited from poets of all nationalities\, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Poems submitted should not exceed 40 lines. There is no limit to entries per person. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee. \nIt is not a requirement\, but is advisable to refer to Anthology magazine or purchase a copy before submitting your work\, so that you can see the type of material we publish. Subscriptions and single copies are available to purchase through their online shop. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst: The winner will receive a €1\,000 cash prize and the chance to see their work published in a future issue of Anthology.\nSecond: €250\nThird: €150\n\nAnthology has partnered with Reedsy Learning to provide the following prizes: \n\nWinner: one-year Reedsy Learning membership (including all masterclasses and conferences)\nShortlist: one live craft masterclass of choice\nAll entrants: exclusive 10% membership discount\n\nStandard Fee: €18 \nDeadline: 31 October 2026 \nContact admin@anthology-magazine.com for information on group entry fees. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/anthology-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Competitions,Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Anthology-Poetry-Competition-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTSTAMP:20260929T134333Z
CREATED:20260929T134333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T134333Z
UID:26254-1793404800-1793491199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Raven Chronicles: 2026 Keepers of the Fire Prize
DESCRIPTION:Raven Chronicles announces their 2026 Keepers of the Fire contest for fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. The Keepers of the Fire Prize honors daring and forward-thinking literary arts across cultures. Chosen authors will receive an advance of $1 000\, September 2027 publication of their book\, and 50% of net revenues on sales. \nEach year they publish two books\, one fiction (speculative\, utopian\, historical\, etc.)\, and one nonfiction (creative nonfiction\, memoir\, scientific\, historical\, etc.). \nThey want original fiction or nonfiction that includes or addresses this general theme: deportation\, deported\, deportee\, immigrant\, without a country or legal status\, to be a stateless person\, to have no nationality\, to be undocumented. \nFiction submissions: \n\nCreative fiction: from your point of view or from someone you know who has been deported\, threaten with deportation; use your experience or your imagination\nNonfiction submissions: they will accept essay collections for this theme.\n\nWord Count: They accept book- or novella-length original work between 20 000 to 50 000 words. They do not take submissions over 50 000 words. \nSubmission fee: $10 \nSubmission Deadline: 31 October 2026 \nIF you have questions\, please email the Raven Chronicles at editors@ravenchronicles.org (Subject: Keepers of the Fire Book Contest). \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/raven-chronicles-2026-keepers-of-the-fire-prize/
CATEGORIES:Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Raven-Chronicles-Press.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261102
DTSTAMP:20261001T084102Z
CREATED:20260623T133308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T084102Z
UID:25382-1793491200-1793577599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Evaristo Prize for African Poetry
DESCRIPTION:The Evaristo Prize for African Poetry is an annual prize of USD $1500 awarded to ten poems written by an African poet. \nEligibility: \nThe Prize is open to African writers. An “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa\, who is a national or resident of an African country\, or whose parents are African. \nThe prize is open to African poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published at the time of submission. Self-published poetry books\, chapbooks\, and pamphlets are exempt from this stipulation. \nOnly poems written in English can be considered\, but APBF welcome poems in translation for consideration too. In the case that the winning work is translated\, a percentage of the prize money would be awarded to the translator. \nNo past or present paid employees of the University of Nebraska Press\, Akashic Books\, or Amalion Press\, or current faculty\, students\, or employees at the University of Nebraska are eligible for the prizes. \nAfrican poets who have published a chapbook in a New-Generation African Poets Chapbooks Box Set series remain eligible for the Evaristo African Poetry Prize if they have not published a full-length book of poems. \nWhen to send what: \n\nManuscripts of 10 poems\, no more and no less\, will be accepted annually between 1 October to 1 November via Submittable. Please do not send any submissions via email.\nPoems must be the original work of the entrant and be no longer than 40 lines each.\nPoems may have been previously published or won previous awards.\nPeople who have entered previously for the prize can re-submit but are advised to share new poems.\nWhile they have no specific formatting rules\, they suggest sending your manuscript in Times New Roman or Arial\, 12-point font\, single-spaced. We also prefer one poem per page\, meaning a new poem does not begin on the same page on which another ends. The entire submission must be in black ink\, no colors.\n\nPlease direct questions regarding submissions to apbf@brown.edu. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/evaristo-prize-for-african-poetry/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/African-Poetry-Book-Fund-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="African Poetry Book Fund":MAILTO:rezina_habtemariam@brown.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261102
DTSTAMP:20260909T083753Z
CREATED:20260909T083753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T083753Z
UID:26091-1793491200-1793577599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Ascent Novel Prize
DESCRIPTION:Ascent Novel Prize is an international competition open to all writers who have not traditionally published a book or have an agent. Every entrant receives free access to a membership area which includes videos and training on the craft of writing. \nPrize: \n\nWinners receive £1 000 and feedback from industry professionals\nThe top 100 are guaranteed a paragraph of personalised feedback\, and all entrants receive access to a free membership area.\n\nAscent Novel Prize welcomes entries from writers across the globe\, aged 18 years and over. The competition is for writers who have no agent and have not accepted an offer of publication for a novel. If your novel has been self-published or published without a book deal\, you are still eligible to enter. \nEntry fee: £29. There is no limit to the number of times you submit. \nSubmission Deadline: 1 November 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/ascent-novel-prize/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Ascent-Novel-Prize.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261102
DTSTAMP:20260918T104106Z
CREATED:20260918T104106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T104106Z
UID:26180-1793491200-1793577599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Open Call: The Studios at MASS MoCA
DESCRIPTION:The Studios at MASS MoCA artist and writers residency program is embedded in one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) is a former factory complex surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in downtown North Adams. The Studios residency invites 10 artists at a time\, nationally and internationally\, for a residency of 2 or 4 weeks. These residencies provide essential time\, space\, and individualized support for artists to develop new work and ideas\, with their campus being a living source of research and inspiration. \nAt the Studios at MASS MoCA\, selected artists receive: \n\nPrivate\, furnished studio space at MASS MoCA\, available 24/7\nHousing (private bedroom/queen bed\, shared kitchen\, and bath) in attractive apartments directly across the street from the museum\nOne communal meal per day in the company of fellow artists-in-residence\nAn optional studio visit with a MASS MoCA curator or a guest curator\n1 year access to Assets for Artists Online Workshops on artist career development\n3 months of MASS MoCA member benefits\, including free access to the museum’s galleries\, and discounts on performing arts events and museum store purchases\, plus additional access to The Clark Art Institute while in residence\nThe opportunity to connect with a cohort of international creative peers.\nChances to share your work either through Open Studios\, artist presentations to your fellow residents\, and/or studio visits (all events are optional)\n\nEligibility: They welcome applications from artists at all career stages\, income levels\, and geographic locations. They primarily seek applications from visual artists (painters\, sculptors\, installation artists\, photographers\, video/new media artists\, fiber artists\, printmakers\, etc.) and writers in all literary disciplines. They discourage applications from dancers\, musicians\, and other performers because our studios are only well suited for artists who work quietly (nothing is sound-proofed) and who don’t require space for rehearsal / movement arts. Groups/collectives may apply to work on joint projects in the visual and literary arts. The studios have light-duty ventilation\, so an art practice generating strong fumes cannot be accommodated. \nCost/Funding: The already subsidized “full” residency fee is $650/week (it’s $1000+/week of actual costs to operate the residency). However\, every applicant in the regular application pool may opt to be considered for a full-ride fellowship and/or need-based financial aid to lower this fee even more. Visit their Financial Aid & Fellowships page to learn more about their many funding opportunities. If an artist can pay in full\, that helps their program be able to off-set costs to offer more fellowships to those with financial need. \nDeadline: 1 November 2026 at 11:59pm EST. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/open-call-the-studios-at-mass-moca/
CATEGORIES:Fellowships,Residencies
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-Studios-at-Mass-MoCA.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270313
DTSTAMP:20260804T080024Z
CREATED:20260804T080024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T080024Z
UID:25814-1793491200-1804895999@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Edinburgh Young Adult Novel Award
DESCRIPTION:The Edinburgh Young Novel Award is open to writers worldwide\, published and unpublished\, without a literary agent. They welcome any topic and all story genres: literary\, historic\, crime\, romance\, queer\, contemporary\, humour and more. Entrants can be any age over 16 years. The work should be suitable for age 12 and above. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst prize: £1 500\nSecond prize: £500\nThird Prize: £250\n2 Commendations worth £100\n\nWriters submit 5 000 words or eight pages of a graphic novel plus synopsis initially\, rising to 15 000 or 12 to 16 pages of a graphic novel for longlisted works. For shortlisted works they need 30 000 words or a 50 page script of a graphic novel as well as material already submitted. \nYour submission should always begin at the start of your novel. Unfinished work is accepted. At no stage do you need to submit a completed novel. Note: This is a competition for new work that has not been published before. \nEntry fee: \n\n£19 per novel\nAuthor collaborations are permitted.\nEnter as many times as you wish.\nBursary applications allowing free entry open from 1 November to 31 December annually and are randomly awarded among those who apply.\n\nIf you have any difficulties with your application please contact Dai Lowe at artsadmin@lucidity.ltd.uk \nEntries open 1 November to 12 March annually \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/edinburgh-young-adult-novel-award/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Edinburgh-Young-Adult-Novel-Award-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270313
DTSTAMP:20260804T080519Z
CREATED:20260804T080519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T080519Z
UID:25816-1793491200-1804895999@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Edinburgh Essay Award
DESCRIPTION:The Edinburgh Essay Award is open to writers worldwide\, published and unpublished. For non-fiction essays on any topic up to 2000 words. \nThey seek essays on cultural topics\, travel narratives\, memoirs\, profiles that explore the impact of people — from community figures to international icons; discussions of environmental issues\, insights into transformative or enlightening experiences\, political analysis\, examinations of philosophical\, historical\, or modern-day topics and more. Entrants can be any age over 16 years. Stories should be suitable for an adult audience. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst prize: £1000\nSecond prize: £500\nThird Prize: £250\n\nAll prize winners essays will be published in the Edinburgh Anthology. Publication is optional for authors of other essays in the top fifteen. \nAll anthology writers are invited to the annual in-person Edinburgh Writing Awards Evening at the Scottish Arts Club Edinburgh\, held every November. \nEntry fee: \n\n£10 per story\nEnter as many times as you wish.\nBursary applications allowing free entry open from 1 November to 31 December annually\n\nIf you have any difficulties with your application please contact Dai Lowe at artsadmin@lucidity.ltd.uk \nEntries open 1 November to 12 March annually. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/edinburgh-essay-award/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Edinburgh-Essay-Award-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270313
DTSTAMP:20260804T081205Z
CREATED:20260804T081105Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T081205Z
UID:25843-1793491200-1804895999@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Edinburgh Short Story Awards
DESCRIPTION:The Scottish Arts Trust’s Short Story Award is open to writers worldwide\, published and unpublished. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst prize: £3000\nSecond prize: £400\nThird Prize: £200\n\nShort stories can be on any topic up to 2 000 words and in all genres: literary\, historic\, crime\, romance\, realism\, contemporary\, humour and more. Entrants can be any age over 16 years. Stories should be suitable for an adult audience. \nEntry fee: \n\n£12 per story\nEnter as many times as you wish.\nBursary applications allowing free entry open from 1 November to 31 December annually.\n\nCompetition deadline: 12 March 2027 \nIf you have any difficulties with your application please contact Dai Lowe at artsadmin@lucidity.ltd.uk \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/edinburgh-short-story-awards/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Edinburgh-Short-Story-Award.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261104
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261203
DTSTAMP:20261019T075257Z
CREATED:20260716T140948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T075257Z
UID:25706-1793750400-1796255999@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:The Art of Writing Memoir: Fourth Series with Denis Hirson
DESCRIPTION:Denis Hirson is back with four new memoir-writing workshops running from September to December. \nThe Jacana Literary Foundation\, together with Denis Hirson\, is bringing back its highly successful memoir-writing workshops for a fourth time\, but in a different way. Across four evenings\, one each in September\, October\, November and December 2026\, Denis will share his expertise in a series of engaging 90-minute online workshops. Each workshop session will focus on a different memoir before engaging in discussion with participants. \nEach workshop will take place on Zoom from 19:00 to 20:30 SAST. The total cost of all four workshops is R1500. Individual workshops cost R500 each. \nThe workshop series will explore the following memoirs: \n\nWorkshop 1: The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal (2 September)\nWorkshop 2: Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy (7 October)\nWorkshop 3: Question 7 by Richard Flanagan (4 November)\nWorkshop 4: Everyone is Present by Terry Kurgan (2 December)\n\nIn each workshop\, Denis will invite you to do the following:  \n\nExplore how the writer has dealt with key issues such as language\, structure\, memory versus fiction\, family history and the use of personal information.\nDo brief exercises inspired by the memoir in question.\nCompare relevant aspects of the writer’s method with your own memoir writing\, or with your thoughts about this process.\nEngage in dialogue about the authors’ methods and your own.\n\nNote: any reading you do will be very beneficial but is not absolutely necessary to participate in the workshops. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/the-art-of-writing-memoir-fourth-series-with-denis-hirson/
CATEGORIES:Workshops / Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jacana-Masterclass-Memoir-Writing-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jacana Media":MAILTO:submissions@jacana.co.za
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261108
DTSTAMP:20260622T074024Z
CREATED:20260622T074024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260622T074024Z
UID:25324-1794009600-1794095999@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Instant Noodles: Artist choice
DESCRIPTION:Instant Noodles is looking for flash prose (up to 500 words) fiction and nonfiction\, as well as poetry\, drama\, visual art\, and multi-media submissions. \nTheme: \n\nNo theme – For their last issue of the year\, you can choose any theme you want. Try writing a story about yourself\, something you observed\, or something entirely imaginary. Create a video\, a picture\, even combine two mediums.\n\nAll work must be original and must belong to the author. Works that have been previously published will not be considered. Stories must be complete and self-contained (i.e.\, do not submit chapters of a larger work). NOTE: Accepted works will be published as submitted without editing; as such\, in addition to the originality of the work itself\, they’re looking for manuscripts that are clean and press ready. Be sure to review your grammar\, spelling\, tenses\, proper punctuation\, and other general rules of the written word before hitting “Send.” \nPlease include a brief bio (0 to 200 words\, with links) to be included on the contributors’ page of the magazine if your work is chosen. \nThere is no submission fee for authors\, and no cost for readers. All content will be publicly available within the Instant Noodles website: https://instantnoodleslitmag.com/ \nDeadline: 7 November 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/instant-noodles-artist-choice/
CATEGORIES:Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Instant-Noodles-Open-theme-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261108
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261109
DTSTAMP:20260909T085247Z
CREATED:20260909T085247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T085247Z
UID:26097-1794096000-1794182399@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize
DESCRIPTION:The story must be written in English and must be no longer than 6 000 words. They love fiction in all of its forms – experimental\, ‘literary’\, crime\, fantasy\, Sci-Fi – and the only thing that matters is quality. The competition is open to both unpublished and published writers\, and from anywhere in the world. There are no age restrictions. \nPrizes \n\nThe winner of the 2026/27 Short Story Prize will receive a cash prize of £3000.\nShortlisterd authors will each be awarded a cash prize of £200. In addition\, their story will be printed in pocket-book format and distributed to libraries\, charities and other literary organisations in the UK.\nEach longlisted author will receive £50 of bookshop vouchers\, plus a 4-book subscription to Galley Beggar Press.\n\nEntry fee: \n\n£11 per story\nFree entries. Each year\, they aim to offer a significant number of free entries\, in order to make sure that writers who would like to enter (but cannot afford to) are not excluded. This year\, they are able to offer 200 free entries. These are offered on a first come\, first serve basis\, and by emailing your request to info@galleybeggar.co.uk (these places are offered for as long as they are available and on trust; they do not need you to supply evidence or to feel that you need to offer an explanation).\n\nSubmission Deadline: 8 November 2026 (UK time). \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/the-galley-beggar-press-short-story-prize/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Galley-Beggar-Press-submissions.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261115
DTSTAMP:20260831T082701Z
CREATED:20260831T082701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T082701Z
UID:26012-1794614400-1794700799@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Skryfnet: ’n gedig-werkswinkel in die Kaap
DESCRIPTION:Het jy ’n kop vol gedagtes en ’n liefde vir mooi woorde? Droom jy daarvan om jou eie gedigte te skryf\, maar weet nie mooi waar om te begin nie? Of skryf jy reeds gedigte en wil jy jou vaardighede verder opskerp? Dan is Skryfnet se heel eerste Skryf ’n gedig-werkswinkel net vir jou! \nHierdie opwindende eendagwerkswinkel\, wat in die Kaap aangebied word\, is ideaal vir aspirant-digters wat hul vaardighede wil slyp en hul eie stem op papier wil vind. Van die eerste vonk van ’n idee tot ’n afgeronde gedig: dié werkswinkel wys jou hoe om gedagtes en gevoelens in betekenisvolle digkuns te omskep. Jy gaan met taal\, beelde\, ritme en ander bestanddele van goeie poësie eksperimenteer en ontdek hoe om jou woorde meer trefkrag te gee. \nEn wie beter om jou op dié reis te begelei as twee ervare kenners van die Afrikaanse woord? \n\nProf. Bernard Odendaal was 32 jaar lank ’n letterkunde- en skryfkunsdosent en is self ’n digter\, liriekeskrywer\, vertaler en gerekende letterkundekundige. Hy het twee digbundels gepubliseer en reeds sowat 200 boekresensies en 75 vakkundige artikels en boekbydraes gelewer.\nFourie Botha is ’n Afrikaanse digter en uitgewer\, met drie digbundels op sy kerfstok: Donkerkamer\, Krap uit die see en Kolam. Sy werk is onder meer opgeneem in Nuwe Stemme en Die heel mooiste Afrikaanse liefdesgedigte. Hy is ook die uitgewer van Painted Dog Press.\n\nHierdie is jou kans om ’n dag lank in die wêreld van poësie te ontsnap\, nuwe vaardighede aan te leer en jou verbeelding vrye teuels te gee. Of jy nou nog net droom om te dig of reeds jou eerste verse geskryf het – behoort jy beslis nie hierdie geleentheid mis te loop nie. \n\nDatum: 14 November 2026\nPlek: Akademia se Paarlkampus in die Kaap\nTyd: 09:00 tot 15:00\nKoste: R950 per persoon\, wat ’n ligte middagete insluit\n\nVir enige navrae kontak Annelien van Basten by navrae@skryfnet.co.za \nKlik hier vir meer inligting.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/skryfnet-n-gedig-werkswinkel-in-die-kaap/
CATEGORIES:Events,Workshops / Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Skryfnet-Gedig-werkswinkel.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maroela Media en Akademia":MAILTO:winkel@akademia.ac.za
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261116
DTSTAMP:20260519T091120Z
CREATED:20251210T091049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T091120Z
UID:23555-1794700800-1794787199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:PEN Afrikaans Translation Fund
DESCRIPTION:The PEN Afrikaans Translation Fund was established in June 2017 with financial support from the Trust vir Afrikaanse Opvoeding (Trust for Afrikaans Education). \nThis fund’s main objective is to promote Afrikaans literature internationally by generating more translations and translated publications of noteworthy Afrikaans works. \nNot only is the translation of Afrikaans literary works into other world languages – especially languages like English\, Dutch\, French\, German\, Italian\, Spanish and the Scandinavian languages – an acknowledgment to the authors regarding the quality of their work and an opportunity to earn more income; it is also good for Afrikaans as a language. A literature that is not available in translation cannot be considered a world literature. \nAn international reputation for our authors promotes the stature of Afrikaans literature as a whole. \nDue to the lack of an Afrikaans translation fund\, a common phenomenon in other countries\, it was extremely challenging to sell translation rights for Afrikaans writers’ works in the past. The PEN Afrikaans Translation Fund wants to fill this gap. \nDecisions on the funding of applications will be taken by the management of PEN Afrikaans in consultation with a representative of the Trust for Afrikaans Education. The decisions of this assessment panel will be final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding rejected applications. \nApplications for funding will be considered twice a year. The two deadlines for applications are 15 May and 15 November of each calendar year. \nInquiries\, as well as completed applications\, can be sent to: penafrikaans@gmail.com \nClick here for more information and to download the application form.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/pen-afrikaans-translation-fund/
CATEGORIES:Bursaries / Grants
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PEN-Afrikaans-Translation-Fund.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="PEN Afrikaans":MAILTO:penafrikaans@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261116
DTSTAMP:20260812T085339Z
CREATED:20260812T085215Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T085339Z
UID:25893-1794700800-1794787199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Versindaba Gedigkompetisie
DESCRIPTION:Op 11 Junie\, sou Van Wyk Louw 120 jaar oud gewees het. \nOm hierdie geleentheid te vier bied Versindaba\, in samewerking met die Sentrum vir Digkuns van die Louw Huis en Museum Sutherland\, ’n geleentheid aan digters om in gesprek met hom en sy digkuns te tree\, en/of met sy grootwordwêreld na aanleiding van 20 Roggeveldse foto’s. \nHoewel die digterlike viering van Louw se literêre nalatenskap die hoofdoel van dié herdenkingsuitnodiging is\, sal daar ook ’n weninskrywing vasgestel word – behels dit dus ook ’n digkunskompetisie. Die wenner ontvang ’n beldjie van Strijdom van der Merwe (sien hieronder)\, geskenk deur die Louw Huis en Museum. Daar is ook verskeie geskenkpakkete van die Louw Huis en Museum Sutherland en ander skenkers. Skenkings sal bygewerk word soos hulle ontvang word: \n\nWenner ontvang ’n beeldjie van die bekende kunstenaar Strijdom van der Merwe.\nRogge Cloof skenk wyn ter waarde van ongeveer R4 200.\nVersindaba skenk ’n kontantbedrag.\n\nN.P. van Wyk Louw is op 11 Junie 1906 in ’n dorpshuis op Sutherland\, in die Roggeveldse Karoo\, gebore. Die omgewing speel ’n belangrike rol in sy vormingsjare as latere digter; nie net die werf van die geboortehuis en die dorpslewe nie\, maar ook die landelike omgewing weerklink in sy poësie. Daardie wêreld is intiem ervaar deur hom\, ook tesame met sy jonger digterbroer W.E.G. Louw\, op hulle oupa se plaas\, Gunsfontein\, in die Sutherlanddistrik. Die Roggeveld boei met sy klippe\, plante en magtige\, haas metafisiese landskappe en sterretranse\, maar is ook deurspek met stories en rympies. \nDie Roggeveldse foto’s wat hierdie uitnodiging vergesel\, bedoel om gedigbydraes oor daardie kontrei\, sy dinge en mense\, te inspireer\, is deur amateurfotograwe geneem. Dit verteenwoordig intuïtiewe pogings om iets van daardie sonderlinge werklikheid\, wat so lewendig in dele van Van Wyk Louw se digkuns figureer\, weer te gee. Klik hier om Roggevelde foto’ te sien. \nSluitingsdatum: 15 November 2026. \nKlik hier vir meer inligting.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/versindaba-gedigkompetisie/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Versindaba-Gedigkompetisie.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Versindaba":MAILTO:taljard.marlies@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261116
DTSTAMP:20261027T091308Z
CREATED:20261027T091308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261027T091308Z
UID:26362-1794700800-1794787199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Essere Residency 2027
DESCRIPTION:Essere Residency is a self-directed program designed to encourage the growth of creatives of all disciplines at any stage of their career or personal self-expression. \nThe residency offers a supportive space to develop professional creative skills as well as receive mentorship and support for inner wellbeing. Each person’s unique creative process is fostered within the context of a vibrant international community\, in the tranquility and historic richness of rural Tuscany. \nWhether you need dedicated time to bring a project to completion\, or space to envision something totally new\, this two-week residency delivers the right amount of structure\, support and solitude. \nDays are free to explore your imaginative visions and share perspectives with artists of different ages and cultures from all over the world. Evenings you’ll come together for inspiring\, instructional talks by the Artists in Residence on topics of relevance to all. These talks are followed by a delicious 3-course dinner and wine prepared by our local chef. \nIndividual mentorship in specific disciplines is available by appointment with the AiRs and residency Director Jennie Lee will be offering personal coaching support and guided meditation sessions. \nPossible excursions to nearby thermal springs may be organized as well as on-site cooking classes. All in all\, you can expect two weeks filled with joy and inspiration! \nLocation: \n\nAddress: Private Estate in Cetona\, Province of Siena\, Italy\nNearest Airports: Florence and Rome\nTransfer Time: 2.5 hours\nTrain Station: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme\nHospital: 1.5 hours\n\nImportant dates: \n\n2027 Program Dates: 20 Sept to 4 October 2027\nApplication Deadline: 15 November 2026\nNotifications sent by: 30 November 2026\n\nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/essere-residency-2027/
CATEGORIES:Residencies
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Essere-Residency-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTSTAMP:20251215T112806Z
CREATED:20251215T112806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T112806Z
UID:23650-1795996800-1796083199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Bosberg Book Writing
DESCRIPTION:This flagship project is named after the beautiful mountain range right next to Paulet House. Other names for the Bosberg are Nojoli or Khelelela. Years ago\, when the amaXhosa would pass buckets of water hand to hand from the peak of the mountain\, they would sing this song: Khelelela. \nThe Bosberg Book Writing programme boasts several debut authors who have made names for themselves since\, including Engela Ovies (Draairivier and Flora)\, Bronwyn Davids (Lansdown Dearest)\, Shana Fife (Ougat)\, Audrey Jantjies (As die katjiepiering blom)\, Deidré Jantjies (Stories in die wind)\, Sihle Qwabe (The Resurrection)\, Lebo Mazibuko (Bantu Knots)\, Tebello Mzamo (I Did Not Die)\, Juliette Mnqeta (If the Dead Could Talk)\, Reggie Peace (Vredemaker)\, Nadia Cassim (Not Another Samoosa Run!)\, and Faeed Amardien (Life is ’n Biets)\, to name a few. \nEmerging writers are invited to apply in one of three categories: novels\, short stories\, or poetry. Upon completion of this intensive development programme\, the writer is assisted in submitting their manuscript for publication to an appropriate publisher. \nAlthough there is no cut-off date for applications\, the final selection is made in November in the preceding year. \nClick here to apply.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/bosberg-book-writing/
CATEGORIES:Fellowships,Publications,Residencies
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bosberg-Book-Writing-2026-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jakes Gerwel Foundation":MAILTO:theo@jgf.org.za
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTSTAMP:20260824T083000Z
CREATED:20260824T082534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T083000Z
UID:25951-1795996800-1796083199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:AVBOB Poetry Prize
DESCRIPTION:The 10th Annual Poetry Competition (the “Competition”) is organised by AVBOB Mutual Assurance Society (“AVBOB”) and is open to any citizen of South Africa. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a poet by profession or a poet at heart – this is your opportunity to be seen and heard\, touch thousands of lives\, and even be rewarded with one of the coveted AVBOB Poetry prizes. To stand in line to win\, you simply need to register your profile and submit your poem(s) online. \nTheme: \n\nEntrants should see the theme “I wish I’d said” as a guideline\, not a rule. The poems\, however\, need not be about the death of a specific person\, but can be any poem with an elegiac sense. Poems which celebrate life\, or the brevity of human existence\, etc.\, will also do. The guiding principle must be: Will a person experiencing loss be uplifted by the poem\, or be able to identify with it?\n\nLanguage: \n\nPoems may be submitted in any of the 11 official South African written languages. For poems that are not in English\, an English translation of poems would be appreciated\, but is not compulsory.\n\nPrizes: \n\nA cash prize of R10 000 will be awarded for the best poem in each of the 11 language categories\, at the discretion of the editors.\nIf you receive notification that your poem is accepted for publication\, it means that it will be published on AVBOB’s Poetry Competition website www.avbobpoetry.co.za.\nIn addition\, it may be considered for publication alongside the work of renowned poets in a 100-poem anthology that will be published in 2026.\nShould your poem be accepted for publication by AVBOB\, you will be remunerated as follows: A usage fee to the value of R300 – transferred to the entrant via the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment option presented online – for publication on the AVBOB Poetry Competition website\, which includes the entrant’s consent to usage on other platforms and in other media.\n\nSubmission deadline: 30 November 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/avbob-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AVBOB-poetry-contest.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTSTAMP:20260909T082049Z
CREATED:20260909T082049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T082049Z
UID:26089-1795996800-1796083199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Anthology Travel Writing Competition
DESCRIPTION:Established for writers who like to share authentic travel experiences and to provide a platform for publication. The Anthology Travel Writing Competition is open to original and previously unpublished travel articles in the English language by writers of any nationality\, living anywhere in the world. They are looking for an engaging article that will capture the reader’s attention\, conveying a strong sense of the destination and the local culture. \nOpen to both new and established writers\, articles submitted must not exceed 1000 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee. \nIt is not a requirement but is advisable to refer to Anthology magazine or purchase a copy\, before submitting your work so that you can see the type of material they publish. Subscriptions and single copies are available to purchase through their online shop. \nPrizes: \n\nThe winner will receive €300 and the chance to see their work published in a future issue of Anthology.\nAnthology has partnered with Reedsy Learning to provide the following prizes:\nWinner: one-year Reedsy Learning membership (including all masterclasses and conferences)\nShortlist: one live craft masterclass of choice\nAll entrants: exclusive 10% membership discount\n\nSubmission fee: €15 \nDeadline: 30 November 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/anthology-travel-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Competitions,Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Travel-Writing.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTSTAMP:20261019T083647Z
CREATED:20261019T083647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T083647Z
UID:26310-1795996800-1796083199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Call for papers: Twenty years of Ons komvandaan – reflections on the Legacy of Diana Ferrus
DESCRIPTION:In February 2025 a group of academics\, poets\, translators\, friends and mentees of Diana Ferrus convened at the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study (Stias) to celebrate the twenty-year anniversary of her debut poetry collection\, Ons komvandaan (2006\, Diana Ferrus Uitgewers). After this meeting they started work on an edited collection consisting of academic\, creative and translation contributions to the workshop. \nEarly in 2026 when poet\, activist and community builder Diana Ferrus passed away the organisers had to rethink the project. While still celebrating the achievement that is Ons komvandaan\, they realised the need to also honor and commemorate other aspects of Diana’s rich life\, career and legacy. To this end\, they reopened submissions for contributions to this book project. Proposed chapters can be in any language and take the form of creative writing (poems\, short stories or other texts)\, personal reflective essays\, academic studies or translations of her poems (three to six poems\, with an accompanying reflective or academic essay on the translation process). \nProposals will be considered which complement the chapters they already have\, which include academic chapters on Diana’s influence on other Afrikaans women poets\, her writing on her father in Die vrede kom later (2019)\, and her exploration of cultural ‘komvandaan’ and non-familial kinship. Dutch\, English\, isiXhosa and iziZulu translations of poems from Ons komvandaan have already been received. Translations into other languages\, or of other poems\, are welcomed. \nWhile Ons komvandaan\, its depiction of identity and South Africa’s history of slavery (see Chaudhari 2013)\, its influence on Afrikaans feminist literature (Bonthuys 2020 and Xaba 2019)\, pedagogic potential (Linde & Kirsten 2023) and Ferrus’s role in portraying Sara Baartman and in repatriating her remains (Boswell 2016\, Gqola 2010 and Wicomb & Lewis 2021)\, amongst other topics\, has received significant and meaningful scholarly attention\, there are still many aspects of Diana’s work that deserves further consideration. These include\, but are not limited to: \n\nOns komvandaan as the historiography of not only the descendents of indigenous and enslaved South Africans in general\, but also of a specific family\nThe mother-daughter relationship in Ferrus’s poetry\nThe representation of domestic and gender-based violence\nThe inclusion of visual elements (photos\, copies of baptism certificates and of an identity document\, handwritten notes by ancestors)\nFerrus’s practice of self-translation and the relationship between her Afrikaans and English writing\nThe depiction of landscape\, plants and embodiment in various poems\nSelf-publishing – Makhosozana Xaba (2019:44\, 46\, 49 & 51) refers to Ferrus’s self-publishing in relation to that of other black women poets\, but building on and updating the work of Neil Chochrane (2008:31-51)\, this aspect could also be further explored with reference to the Afrikaans literary system more broadly and in terms of other examples of self-publication within the Swart Afrikaanse Skrywers-movement (see the role of Petersen as an inspirational poet-publisher)\nDiana Ferrus as community builder and mentor\, and her influence on different literary systems and individual poets\nIn addition to or in comparison with the ode to Sara Baartman\, the representation of other iconic black women such as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Brenda Fassie\nThe influence of music on Ferrus’s poetry\nFerrus’s performance of her poetry\nThe representation of Afrikaans as language and socio-cultural phenomenon (building on the work of Linde & Kirsten 2023)\nLove\, the erotic and breakup poems\n\nPlease send a proposal of maximum 300 words to bibi.burger@uct.ac.za and athambile.masola@uct.ac.za by 30 November 2026. Final versions of accepted chapters are to be submitted by 12 February 2027. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/call-for-papers-twenty-years-of-ons-komvandaan-reflections-on-the-legacy-of-diana-ferrus/
CATEGORIES:Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Open-Call-for-papers.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTSTAMP:20261019T111857Z
CREATED:20261019T111857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T111857Z
UID:26313-1795996800-1796083199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:NovembeRise Romance Competition
DESCRIPTION:NovemberRise is a new annual November writing challenge built around meaningful progress. This year\, the Storyrise community is challenging romance writers to draft one powerful first chapter of up to 5 000 words in the LOVE AT FIRST WRITE contest. \nThink unforgettable meet-cutes\, slow-burn tension\, second chances\, secret identities\, impossible choices\, rivals who can’t stop thinking about each other\, sweeping adventures\, magical worlds\, small towns\, historical settings\, and characters readers can’t help rooting for. \nLOVE AT FIRST WRITE is your chance to commit to your writing\, find community\, join live writing sprints\, get that first chapter on the page\, and put your work in front of a literary agent for feedback that could help you take the next step in your publishing journey. \nEntry essentials: \n\nAn active Storyrise account\nUp to 5 000 words from the true opening\nAn unpublished novel or work-in-progress\nYoung adult\, new adult\, or adult readership\nEnglish or bilingual writing that includes English\nA central romantic relationship essential to the story\nA low-spice or no-spice submitted chapter\nAn entrant who is at least 18 years old\n\nYour official contest entry should include: \n\nProject title\nIntended age category\nRomance genre or subgenre\nA project description of no more than 150 words\nRequired content disclosures\nAuthorship and publication confirmations\nThe project description gives context but isn’t scored as part of the chapter\n\nEntry fee: \n\nEarly bird through 31 October 2026: $8\nStandard entry 1 tot 30 November 2026: $12\n\nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/novemberise-romance-competition/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NovemberRise-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTSTAMP:20261019T113553Z
CREATED:20261019T113553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T113553Z
UID:26318-1795996800-1796083199@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Fiction Factory: First Chapter and Synopsis Competition
DESCRIPTION:Have you completed the first draft of your novel? Are you ready to pass it on to a fresh pair of eyes\, to see if you are on the right track? Is your all-important first chapter ready for submission to an agent? Whatever your plans\, your first chapter must shine – it must grab your readers or quickly lose their interest. \nThe winning entry will be read by literary agent Joanna Swainson of the Hardman & Swainson Agency. Joanna is looking for originality and distinctive voices. For complex\, larger-than-life characters and stories that will stay with the reader forever. Stories that surprise\, and keep on surprising. As Joanna says\, she will know what she’s looking for when she sees it! \nPrizes: \n\nFirst Prize: £500 and an appraisal\nAll short-listed entrants will receive a free appraisal\nWinning entries will be published on our website\, subject to the author’s permission\n\nThe Competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over. International entries are welcome but stories must be written in English. Chapters must be previously unpublished. Maximum word count is 5 000 words. If your first chapter is longer\, please clearly mark the 5000 word point. All work submitted must be the entrant’s own original writing\, and should not have appeared in print or appear on a website (including blogs and social networking sites). Winners will be announced in May 2027 \nEntry Fee: £18 \nDeadline: 30 November 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/fiction-factory-first-chapter-and-synopsis-competition/
CATEGORIES:Competitions,Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Fiction-Factory.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Fiction Factory":MAILTO:fictionfactory16@yahoo.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261202
DTSTAMP:20261001T083718Z
CREATED:20260623T125031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T083718Z
UID:25379-1796083200-1796169599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry
DESCRIPTION:The Sillerman Prize is awarded annually\, with submissions open between 15 September to 1 December. \nThe Prize: \nThe Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. The winner receives USD $1000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press. \nThe Sillerman Editorial Team\, including Kwame Dawes\, Chris Abani\, Matthew Shenoda\, John Keene\, Gabeba Baderoon\, Phillippa Yaa de Villiers\, Aracelis Girmay\, and Mahtem Shiferraw will judge. \nEligibility \nThe Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets will only accept “first book” submissions from African writers who have not published a book-length poetry collection. This includes self-published books if they were sold online\, in stores\, or at readings. Writers who have edited and published an anthology or a similar collection of other writers’ work remain eligible. \nAn “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa\, who is a national or resident of an African country\, or whose parents are African. \nOnly poetry submissions in English can be considered. Work translated from another language to English is accepted\, but a percentage of the prize will be awarded to the translator. \nNo past or present paid employees of the University of Nebraska Press\, Akashic Books\, or Amalion Press\, or current faculty\, students\, or employees at Brown University\, are eligible for the prizes. \nPoetry manuscripts should be at least 50 pages long. The author’s name should not appear on the manuscript. Eligible writers may submit more than one manuscript. \nEntry Fee: No entry fee is required to submit to the contest. \nPlease direct questions regarding submissions to apbf@brown.edu. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/sillerman-first-book-prize-for-african-poetry/
CATEGORIES:Competitions,Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/African-Poetry-Book-Fund-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="African Poetry Book Fund":MAILTO:rezina_habtemariam@brown.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261207
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261208
DTSTAMP:20260918T111619Z
CREATED:20260918T111458Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T111619Z
UID:26186-1796601600-1796687999@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Women’s Mslexia Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Could this be your route to publication? Maura Dooley will be choosing the winner of the 2026 competition on behalf of Bloodaxe Books. Send your poetry pamphlet collections of up to 18 to 20 poems\, of up to 24 pages and win yourself £1 000 plus publication by Bloodaxe Books. Imagine how good it would feel to hold your work in your hands like that. This competition is open to unpublished poems of any length\, on any subject. \nPrizes: \n\nFirst place: £2 000\nSecond place: £500\nThird place: £250\nUnpublished Poet Prize: This is an additional award for the best unpublished poem by an unpublished poet of £250.\nThe four winners\, plus sixteen additional finalists will have their poems published in the March 2027 issue of Mslexia.\n\nEntry fee:  \n\n£12\nYour entry fee allows you to submit up to three poems.\n\nDeadline: 7 December 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/womens-mslexia-poetry-pamphlet-competition-2026/
CATEGORIES:Competitions,Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Flash-Fiction-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Mslexia":MAILTO:competitions@mslexia.co.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261221
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261222
DTSTAMP:20260803T072732Z
CREATED:20260803T072732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T072732Z
UID:25833-1797811200-1797897599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Interact stroke support short story
DESCRIPTION:Named in honour of their beloved patron\, the late Ruth Rendell\, The Interact stroke Support’s biennial short story competition is great chance to get your creative juices flowing. Write a short story in any genre of no more than 1000 words. They are looking for positive stories that can be read in the sensitive environment of a hospital setting. \nThe top 3 stories are shortlisted and performed by professional actors that work for InterAct. It is a biennial competition and the ceremony takes place at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. \nThe winner of the competition will be commissioned to write four further stories for InterAct Stroke Support over the course of one year\, and will receive £1000 in payment. \nClick here for examples of stories that won previous years. \nDeadline: 5pm\, Sunday 21st December 2026 \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/interact-stroke-support-short-story/
CATEGORIES:Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/InterAct-Stroke-Support-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="InterAct Stroke Support":MAILTO:stories@interactstroke.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261231
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260918T134105Z
CREATED:20260918T133835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T134105Z
UID:26197-1798675200-1798761599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:The Chesham Short Story Prize
DESCRIPTION:The Chesham Short Story Prize welcomes short stories in any genre\, on any theme\, written in English and up to 3 000 words. Open to writers anywhere in the world over\, they’re looking for compelling\, original work with a strong voice. \nPrize: \n\nThe winner of the Chesham Short Story Prize will win a £100 cash prize.\nBesides the cash prize on offer\, the Chesham Short Story Prize is an incredible opportunity for writers to have their voices heard and to showcase the grass-roots talent among the community\, as well as the broader talent from afar.\n\nEntry fee: There is an entry fee of £10 per story\, payable via PayPal. \nDeadline: Submissions will open on 1 October and close on 31 December 2026. Winners will be announced in March 2027. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/the-chesham-short-story-prize/
CATEGORIES:Competitions,Literary prizes
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Chesham-Literary-Festival.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Chesham literary festival":MAILTO:cheshamliterary@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261231
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260210T101514Z
CREATED:20260210T101514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T101514Z
UID:24381-1798675200-1798761599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Wil jy vir Klyntji skryf?
DESCRIPTION:Klyntji fokus op die deel en bespreek van diverse en progressiewe kuns en kultuur. Dit sluit aan by identiteit. \nHulle kategorieë is Film & Foto\, Kuns\, Literatuur\, Mode\, Musiek\, Nuus\, Omgewing\, Opinie & Essays\, en Opvoer & TV. Hulle is ’n platform waar alternatiewe stories wat nie noodwendig in ander media aandag geniet nie\, publiseer. \nKlyntji publiseer soms versamelings van gedigte\, maar nie kortverhale nie\, aktuele essays wel. Onderhoude\, verkenningstukke of features\, korter nuusstories en resensies word dikwels gepubliseer. Klyntji poog om by te dra tot die dokumentering van kultuur\, ook om argiefmateriaal en akademiese navorsing op te delf vir groter toeganklikheid en breër verwysing. \nGereelde bydraers kan in aanmerking geneem word vir redaksionele posisies. \n\nTaal: Klyntji word in alle variante van Afrikaans gepubliseer. Aanhalings en stellings in ander tale word aanvaar. Goue riglyn: Skryf soos jy praat.\nVisueel-gedrewe: Klyntji poog om treffende en goeie kwaliteit foto’s/video’s saam met elke storie te publiseer. Skrywers word aangemoedig om voorstelle vir grafika te maak wat by die betrokke storie aansluit.\nLengte en redigering: Van vars kort nuusstories tot breedvoerige verkennings\, poog Klyntji om bondig tog volledig met stories om te gaan. Substansie is belangrik. Hulle behou die reg voor om aan stories te sny\, uitbreidings te versoek of om tekstuele aanpassings te maak voor publikasie.\nBetaling: Danksy die Trust vir Afrikaanse Kuns\, Kultuur en Erfenis (TAKKE) en die L.W. Hiemstra Trust het Klyntji tans ’n (beperkte) begroting om skrywers\, foto- en videograwe en illustreerders te vergoed. Betaling is onderworpe aan Klyntji se betalingsbeleid en word gemaak aan die einde van die maand waarin die storie verskyn.\n\nStuur alle voorstelle\, bydraes en navrae aan redaksie@klyntji.com. Hul inbox is heeljaar oop. \nKlik hier vir meer inligting.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/wil-jy-vir-klyntji-skryf/
CATEGORIES:Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Klyntji.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261231
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260526T085333Z
CREATED:20260526T085333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T085333Z
UID:25115-1798675200-1798761599@jgf.org.za
SUMMARY:Batis Books: Open for Submissions
DESCRIPTION:Batis Books is a small team\, so they can only evaluate submissions that follow the following guidelines. \n\nPlease make your query to submissions@bat.is\nYour submission should contain\, in an attachment (either PDF or Word document)\, either the first 10 000 words or first 40 typed pages of the manuscript you wish for us to consider. For poetry\, please send 10 poems or 10 typed pages.\nIn the body of your email\, please include your writer’s biography and anything that you would like us to know about the book. A synopsis is welcome but is not necessary.‍\n\nBatis Books will be in touch with you if they wish to read the entire work. \nAt the moment they are especially interested in novels written by writers from or living in Southern Africa or Scotland. They are also open to approaches for collections of poetry\, short fiction\, and narrative non-fiction\, and for translations of works into English from other languages. \nYour book must be unpublished in the United Kingdom and/or the Republic of Ireland. Batis Books may still be interested in books that have been previously (but recently) published in other territories\, including Southern Africa. \nBecause of the large volume of work they handle\, Batis Books cannot guarantee that they will be able to respond to you quickly. If you have not heard from them in three months\, your submission has most likely been unsuccessful. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://jgf.org.za/event/batis-books-open-for-submissions/
CATEGORIES:Publications
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Batis-Books.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Batis Books":MAILTO:submissions@bat.is
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