There is a gap in provision of training and support for writers in South Africa. Universities and other educational institutions are unable at present to take on this role, especially in marginalised areas for people who are economically disempowered. The Centre for the Book sees it as crucial that this gap is filled and lobbies for the need for such training and support.

"When people join together to write, there is a collective energy, a magic. Regular ongoing practice can make a difference in a writer's life - it will improve your writing and the quality of your life. That urge to write will be fulfilled and the longing stilled."

• Writers Network
• Out to Lunch Writing Group
• Community Publishing Project
• Writing Teachers and Courses
• Publishing your work
• Past Events
• Writing Workshops with Anne Schuster
• British Council Crossing Borders project
• WritEscapes
• Grant available
  

The Writers' Network

The Writers' Network employs a diversity of methods, beliefs and techniques its embrace of writers and the written word. The Network is an advice and information hub for writers and manages a database of South African writers working all languages and genres.

As a free service the Network collects and disseminates information about support and resources for writers and also responds to queries from writers across the country in person, telephonically, via e-mail, fax and through correspondence.

Physical resources available for writers visiting the Network office at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town include an International Reading Room hosted by the Goethe Institute which carries newspapers and magazines in German, French and English; the Network Lounge, a quiet space where writers can work and read; and the Network Lab, which has computer workstations that are available to writers by appointment for doing word-processing. Publications of interest to writers including examples of literary titles by South African authors, South African literary magazines, various handbooks on writing and publishing are also available for writers to use in the Network office.

On a monthly basis the Network presents a vibrant and varied programme of readings, seminars, workshops, presentations and other events. During 2004 the Network will be embarking on a campaign to expand its reach and build relationships with an even broader range of writers and literary organisations in the Southern African region. Visit their website for the full programme of dates and regions they will be visiting.

For more information visit http://www.thewritersnetwork.org
or e-mail info@thewritersnetwork.org.

Writing Teachers and Courses

If you would like to go on a Writing Workshop or Writing Course you may like to contact one of the following:

Anne Schuster - anne@kingsley.co.za (Cape Town)

Dianne Stewart - dirod@iafrica.com (teaches writing in the Durban area)

Fatima Dike - mwbkdk@mweb.co.za (Cape Town)

Robert Berold - r.berold@ru.ac.za (based in Grahamstown, but prepared to travel to give workshops, specialist in poetry and self-editing)

Dorian Haarhof - dorianh@pixie.co.za (based in Somerset West, prepared to travel)

Paul Mason - pseal@iafrica.com (Simonstown, Cape Town)

Botsotso Jesters - botsotso@artslink.co.za (Gauteng)

Maren Bodenstein - maren@telkomsa.net (Gauteng)

Charlotte Stevens - writer@absamail.co.za (Based in Pretoria, can travel within Gauteng)

Angifi Dladla - angpro@netactive.co.za (Gauteng)

Mandy Morris - mandymorris@webmail.co.za Gauteng)

Sue Randall - writing@mystory.co.za or www.mystory.co.za (She lives and works in North-West, but also caters for Gauteng clients. Life story is her speciality)

The Write Co - info@itsallwrite.net (based in Sandton, Gauteng, a wide range of courses) Tel: 011 666-4766; Fax: 011 666-4821; www.itsallwrite.net

The following Universities and Technikons also offer Creative Writing Courses:

University of Cape Town - Department of English, Department of Extra Mural Studies 

Stellenbosch University offers creative writing through the English and Afrikaans departments. 

Cape Technikon

Rhodes University 

University of Witwatersrand, the Writing Centre and the Centre for Continuing Education

UNISA

University of Port Elizabeth

University of Natal

ATKV-Skryfskool - http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/lettere/atkv/index.html

Noordwes-Universiteit (North-West University) - http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/lettere/skt/skryf.html

If you are a creative writing teacher
and want your name & contact details listed here
email nelisa.lunika@nlsa.ac.za

Publishing your Work

HERE ARE SOME POSSIBILITIES:

SOUTH AFRICA WRITING (poetry, fiction, plays and screenplays in any of the 11 official languages of South Africa)
Editor: Jason le Grang P O Box 717, Rondebosch, 7701 southafricawriting@mweb.co.za
Fax: 086 684 2608
To advertise self published works, book launches, writers circle meetings, editorial services, printing services, please contact the South Africa Writing team on admin@southafricawriting.com or by fax.

ECHOES
(a literary journal published in Gauteng, appears three times a year and publishes all literary genres from Book Reviews, Literary Criticism to Poetry.)

Contributors receive a free copy of the magazine.
Send your contributions electronically to echoj@webmail.co.za
The Editor
Echoes Literary Journal
Siyomba Projects
PO Box 76202
Lynwood Ridge
0040

THE SHORT STORY REVIEW OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
Judith Riordan
33 Roos Street
Fouriesburg
9725
email qace@iafrica.com

NEW COIN (poetry only)
Joan Metelerkamp (editor)
C/O ISEA
Rhodes University
P O Box 94
Grahamstown
6140

NEW CONTRAST (fiction & poetry / English & Afrikaans)
P O Box 3841
Cape Town
8000
newcontrast@mailbox.co.za

FIDELITIES
The Editor
PO Box 22451
Southgate
3200

KOTAZ (fiction, poetry, short plays/ Xhosa, English, Afrikaans)
Mxolisi Nyezwa (editor)
P O Box 63
New Brighton
6200

BOTSOTSO (poetry, fiction, collective works, any language)
editors: Allan Kolski Horwitz & Anna Varney
Postnet Suite 136, Private Bag X2600, Houghton
botsotso@artslink.co.za

BAREFOOT PRESS (poetry)
Roy Blumenthal (editor)
PO Box 1914
Midrand
1685

CARAPACE (poetry)
Gus Ferguson (editor)
PO Box 375
Cape Town
8000

DONGA (poetry, articles on publishing, short fiction)

Donga is no longer accepting submissions, but for a feel of some of themost cutting edge writing in SA in the past few years, check their siteout.

Paul Wessels (editor)
http://www.donga.co.za

LITNET
http://www.mweb.co.za/litnet/

GREEN DRAGON
Dye Hard Press
P O Box 783211
Sandton
2146
Annual literary magazine
Deadline for submissions is 30 June 2003
Ms should be sent with SASE & a return email address if possible

WOMEN IN WRITING
Primarily of emerging women writers, poetry/verse and short stories/articles/ accounts of one's life's experiences written in any of SA's languages.
PO Box 908
Kwa-Xuma
1867
Tel: (011) 982-3087
Fax: (011) 982-3087 / (011) 932-8021 / 086-671-9209
info@womeninwriting.org.za
http://www.womeninwriting.org.za

WWW.POETRYPOTION.COM

This website focuses on publishing poetry in all languages (with translations) as well as social commentary, analysis, interviews and poet profiles.  This website welcomes contributions from anyone and everyone.

If you have a magazine or literary journal
and would welcome contributions 
and would like to be listed on the 
National Library's Centre for the Book website 
please contact mandla.matyumza@nlsa.ac.za