DECADES after it stopped publishing its renowned series on fiction, the legendary African Writers Series, AWS, is returning via a collaboration between Abibiman Publishing and the James Currey Society based at Oxford, United Kingdom.
Breaking the news today, the South African-British writer Stephen Embleton, who is currently the James Currey Fellow at Oxford University said, “a team of writers, editors, publishers and translators is spearheading the relaunch of the iconic African Writers Series.”
“Our mandate is clear and threefold: build on the legacy of the original African Writers Series, actively seek works written in African languages, and have the writers of this Continent at the helm,” stated Embleton, who is also to serve as the editor of the relaunched AWS.
The statement continued, “the original AWS was made up of storytelling that shared new perspectives with the world, new ways of seeing our continent, Africa, voiced by those of this Continent. As the original broke barriers during the period of decolonisation, so too will this series continue that legacy: decolonising our stories and giving further voice to new writers in their languages. As African writers and publishers, we are taking up the mantle of this new AWS.
Co-Founder, Abibiman Publishing and founder of the James Currey Society, Onyeka Nwelue, stated: “James Currey has permitted us and given us his great blessing, to carry on the legacy of the African Writers Series. We feel most privileged.”
The original African Writers Series had success in the reissue of paperback editions of previously published works – some almost lost to time, others given their full unabridged texts – along with biographical non-fiction, and breaking new ground with English translations for a wider audience.
Stated the release: “Aiming to publish contemporary works of fiction in English while breaking the barriers impeding publication in African languages, the new AWS will reissue, through collaboration with those involved in restoration and translation, culturally significant works – many demanding a broader African appreciation.
“The AWS is proud to be associated with our non-fiction initiative in the form of the Abibiman Culture Series, as well as a yet to be announced speculative fiction series.”
More will follow on these along with the full objectives of the new African Writers Series.
Nwelue said, the The African Writers Series will open for submissions in early 2022.
