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Community Publishing
The Community Publishing Project (CPP) was launched in August 2001 by the Centre for the Book and NB Publishers in Cape Town, funded by Nasboek, which has since become Via Afrika. Nasboek donated R150 000 over three years to pilot this exciting new publishing project. Since then we have also received funding from Nasou Via Afrika, the MAPPP Seta and from the Mpumalanga Provincial Library.
The project has opened up entry points into publishing, and has created new opportunities for new and marginal voices. Even writers and writer-publishers who have not worked through the project, have been encouraged by it, because of using the booklet, A rough guide to small-scale and self-publishing.
Commercial publishers can't always justify the publication of books that would probably only have limited markets, especially in a country like South Africa where the book-buying market is very small. A project such as this makes possible the publishing of more marginal works.
Writers who have not been published are often critical of publishers' lack of interest in their writing. However, working as small publishers means writers will begin to understand the collaborative relationship that publishers, writers, booksellers and other actors in the book chain need to have. Writers and community publishers learn about the crucial importance of marketing and distribution of books. It is not enough to get a book printed; publishing also means marketing and selling. The project aims to develop new small publishers filled with enthusiasm and imagination in the marketing of the books they produce.
Funding applications
Twice a year in March and September we call for interested parties to submit applications for grants. Application forms are available from Nelisa Lunika (cbreception@nlsa.ac.za) at the Centre for the Book, telephone: 021 423 2669
What you get if you are selected to be recipient of a Community Publishing Project grant
You will receive
- mentoring from editors at NB Publishers
- and
a small grant which will cover the costs of printing a small print run for a
first edition.
The money you make by selling the books can go towards reprinting, and towards financing a new book by the writer or the writers' group.
The projects being undertaken by the individual writers and writing groups who applied to us are widely varied in form and style, and indicate that writers are generally taking up the challenge to explore themes and concerns of their personal and community lives. Many writers are keen to produce works in the languages of their regions, rather than only English works, and this suggests that there is a realisation among writers of the need to build a readership by reaching out to the majority of South Africans for whom English is only a second or third language.
A rough guide to small-scale and self-publishing --- available in English and Afrikaans
A practical guide that offers advice on the full publishing cycle, including finalizing your manuscript, editing, proofreading, engaging with book design, printing options, getting quotes from printers, how to get an ISBN number, marketing and distribution.
The Community Publishing Project (CPP) is proud of all the books have been published with the support of its grants and mentoring
1.The first is a book of Xhosa folk tales and songs written
and published by Kholeka Sigenu from Queenstown,
Who is a member of Bhala,
the national Xhosa Writers Group.
The book is called Ezakowethu,
(ISBN 062030085-X)
and is available directly from the publisher
at R30
excluding postage costs.
You can order the book from P O Box 1763,
Queenstown, 5320.
The book is suitable for children and adults.
2. Ezakowethu (ISBN 062031164-9) is also available in an English translation, which was also supported by the CPP.
3.The third book is a collection of stories
told by
disabled women from Khayalitsha.
The book is titled, On the Road of
Hope (ISBN 062029469-8)
and is available from the Disabled Peoples
project of SA (DPSA),
for R50 including postage and handling costs.
Tel:
021 422 0357, Fax: 021 422 0389
and email: wc@dpsa.org.za
4.The fourth is an anthology of stories in Afrikaans
by
members of the Afrikaanse Skrywersvereniging,
called Palawer van die
Woord (ISBN 062030561-4) published by !Xthorro Publikasies.
You can
order it from Willem Fransman at
tel: 021 937 3029 and fax: 021 931 7810
or email: wf2@gerga.sun.ac.za
It costs R45 including postage and handling.
5.The fifth is an anthology of writings in Xhosa, by members
of Bhala in the Umtata region of the Eastern Cape.
The book is called
Qomani (ISBN 086986-218-9)
and is available from Mandla Matyumza at
matyumza@intekom.co.za or tel/fax:
047 535 8367.
It costs R40 including postage and handling.
Payments can be made straight into the Bhala account as
follows:
Nciba Mzimkhulu BWG
Acc: 40 5309 6228
Type: Current account
Bank: Meeg Bank (ABSA)
Branch: Umtata
6. People from the Townships by Omoseye Bolaji (ISBN 0958455651) is available from the Eclectic Writers Club in Bloemfontein. P O Box 4187, Bloemfontein, 9300.
7. Walala Wasala compiled by Angifi Dladla published
by Chakida Publishers (ISBN 062032100-8)
is a collection of stories, poems
and essays in several languages written by people in the Ekhurleni/East Rand
region of Gauteng.
The writers include youth and prisoners.
It is
available from Angifi Dladla for R75 including postage and packaging.
P O
Box 12814 Katlehong, 1432 or angpro@netactive.co.za
8. the peeling of skies by Rosamund Stanford, a
poetry chapbook, published by aerial publishing.
Available from Aerial
Publishing P O Box 404, Grahamstown, 6140
email: mindys@global.co.za
9. Bodies of Glass by Crystal Warren, a poetry
chapbook, published by aerial publishing.
Available from Aerial Publishing,
P O Box 404, Grahamstown, 6140
email: c.warren@ru.ac.za
10. Impepho Yomphefumlo, a collection of poems in
isiXhosa
by Monde Ngonyama of the Swii Arts Amendment in Uitenhage.
Available from the Swii Arts Amendment, 9 Colibri Drive, Mountain View,
Uitenhage, 6229;
cell: 082 3660555;
email: artsamend@yahoo.com
11. Namolelang Basadi, a collection of stories about
violence against women in sePedi by E M Magakoa of Daveyton.
Available
from Elizabeth Magakoa at cell: 073 6567985;
P O Box 788, Daveyton,
1507.
12. Blinding Mirrors, a collection of poems in
English, by Asanda Gonya
ISBN: 0-620-3639-2
1230 Moletsane Crescent, New
Crossroads, Nyanga, 7750
email: asanda.gonya@gmail.com
13. As each new year opens by Paulette Coetzee a
poetry chapbook, published by aerial publishing.
ISBN: 0-620-35597-2
Available from Aerial Publishing, P O Box 404, Grahamstown, 6140
email:
p.coetzee@ru.ac.za
14. Exposures by John Forbis, a poetry chapbook,
published by aerial publishing.
ISBN: 0-620-35596-4
Available from
Aerial Publishing, P O Box 404, Grahamstown, 6140
15. The Book of Magic: or Lucifer’s Journey to Hell
by Arik Reiss
ISBN: 0-620-35526-3
www.arik.co.za
arik@webmail.co.za
If you want to buy any of these books you can contact
C L A R K E ' S B O O K S H O P
211 LONG
STREET, CAPE TOWN 8001, SOUTH AFRICA
www.clarkesbooks.co.za