Short Story Day Africa (SSDA) launches Inkubator, an intensive online seminar for early career writers from Sub-Saharan African countries. London-based literary agency Laxfield Literary Associates is a partner on the project. The three month program will focus on building skills of basic of writing and self-editing. Participants will also get the chance to meet other writers and build networks.

Only twelve applicants will be accepted for the inaugural session. The participants will be “mentored through an extensive curriculum that covers writing, editing, preparing work for submission, as well as how to approach agents and publishers.”

The program is split across six virtual workshops and a moderated online forum. Participants will gain access to some of the most renowned writers and editors from the continent. Each participant is required to produce three short stories within the duration of the workshop. The final class will be hosted by agent Emma Shercliff of Laxfield Literary Associates.

The workshop is free to apply. Upon completion of three stories, each writer will receive an honorarium of R5300 (approx. £250*) . Selected short stories written during the seminar will be collected in an e-book anthology to be published by Short Story Day Africa.

Submission Guidelines.

  1. Anglophone writers from the following Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are invited to submit an application: Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, eSwatini, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe; and
  2. British writers from Norfolk and Suffolk, and writers (British citizens) residing outside of London who are from under-represented backgrounds (such as British citizens of African descent), are invited to apply.
  3. All writers applying must meet the following criteria:
    1. Be between the ages of 18 – 35;
    2. Have a previous history of publication, online or in print, in a publication that is not their own self-published blog or self-publishing website;
    3. Be willing/able to participate in six online Saturday workshops (two per month, beginning mid-May);
    4. Be willing to actively engage on the online Inkubator forum to support their fellow participants.

Go here for more details on how to apply.