Thanks for the nice article. I am not a writer, but there are many of them in the forum. Actually, have you published any fast-paced novels our group might enjoy? We'd love to share our discussion about it, and some members may even cite it in their academic work. We also have some brilliant authors regularly reading our articles.
Hi Phebe. I hope this meets you well. We would appreciate if you can read our posts and leave relevant comments and quetions (they are really short, technical, and straighforward). We are trying to select right people to inform about our prized literary projects. It does not matter what part of the world you are from. Thanks, in advance, and enjoy the day :-)
Thanks for replying. We only need what we begged for in the above message. Just that, in the first instance. I am copying it here again: "We would appreciate if you can read our posts and leave relevant comments and quetions." That would tell us your opinion and understanding of what we are doing, so we will know how to get one of your books in the mix. There are a lot of ideas, but first things first. Pass, if you normally don't collaborate.
No, not exclusively African literature. In fact, we’re actively discouraging African readers from limiting themselves to African novels, especially since many of them reuse stiff, overly academic English—or, at times, simplified and incorrect language often labeled as ‘African English.’ We will also be citing academic papers as part of our initiative.
To help reshape this trend, we welcome Western authors to join us.
While our goal is to support African literature, we primarily use Western novels because African writing has drawn its inspiration from the European novel format. We only feature African novels when highlighting the gap—showing how African literature is being held back by the narrow definitions imposed by the publishing industry.
Please share a list of your shorter, fast-paced novels. One of our sponsors will purchase a copy, a member will review it, and I’ll feature that review in our forum. If you’re able to help share and grow the discussion, it would be a meaningful contribution to literature as a whole. Students in our network are also looking for books to analyze in their academic papers. Funding isn’t a challenge—our sponsors support us fully, and a few may even be among your favorite literary agents.
I've recently joined Substack because of your brilliantly informative posts. Thank you so much! These insights into the world of publishing are hugely helpful.
Thank you for sharing all this wonderful insight. Is there any advantage in presenting your current book together with the plans you may have for the next one or two? For example I am finishing novel one and have two short stories that are essentially plans for a second and third novel but this is not a series. Would I be victim to a kind of 'buying in bulk' discount if I were ever offered a deal or am I adding value to my proposition by proposing more than one book?
If you have a brilliant second book idea in the same genre then yes that’s advantageous as it shows you’re someone who is serious about writing and has more than one good idea. So you’d possibly be offered a 2 book deal which would offer you more stability. Hope that makes sense?
Thanks for this, Phoebe. So helpful and informative! As an author yourself, is there ever a reason to *prefer* no advance up front? Yes, one earns royalties faster, but how often do they surpass what you'd get paid in advance?
Hello! They often can surpass what you’d get for an advance, yes. Plus on a digital first contract you usually get them more regularly eg monthly or quarterly rather than in instalments as you would with an advance. 🙂
Thank you, it's a reminder that when the next deal doesn't happen straightaway, the many hoops that have to be jumped through to get there! And also a reminder to remember the achievement of getting a deal in the first place!
Fantastic specifics here. So useful. I'll be senting my students over, because it's rare to have this much up-to-date insider knowledge. Thank you!
Thanks for the nice article. I am not a writer, but there are many of them in the forum. Actually, have you published any fast-paced novels our group might enjoy? We'd love to share our discussion about it, and some members may even cite it in their academic work. We also have some brilliant authors regularly reading our articles.
Thank you! I’ve published lots of fast paced novels, but do you mean by African authors? Or just in general?
Hi Phebe. I hope this meets you well. We would appreciate if you can read our posts and leave relevant comments and quetions (they are really short, technical, and straighforward). We are trying to select right people to inform about our prized literary projects. It does not matter what part of the world you are from. Thanks, in advance, and enjoy the day :-)
Hello sorry not quite sure what you need from me here? X
Thanks for replying. We only need what we begged for in the above message. Just that, in the first instance. I am copying it here again: "We would appreciate if you can read our posts and leave relevant comments and quetions." That would tell us your opinion and understanding of what we are doing, so we will know how to get one of your books in the mix. There are a lot of ideas, but first things first. Pass, if you normally don't collaborate.
No, not exclusively African literature. In fact, we’re actively discouraging African readers from limiting themselves to African novels, especially since many of them reuse stiff, overly academic English—or, at times, simplified and incorrect language often labeled as ‘African English.’ We will also be citing academic papers as part of our initiative.
To help reshape this trend, we welcome Western authors to join us.
While our goal is to support African literature, we primarily use Western novels because African writing has drawn its inspiration from the European novel format. We only feature African novels when highlighting the gap—showing how African literature is being held back by the narrow definitions imposed by the publishing industry.
Please share a list of your shorter, fast-paced novels. One of our sponsors will purchase a copy, a member will review it, and I’ll feature that review in our forum. If you’re able to help share and grow the discussion, it would be a meaningful contribution to literature as a whole. Students in our network are also looking for books to analyze in their academic papers. Funding isn’t a challenge—our sponsors support us fully, and a few may even be among your favorite literary agents.
So helpful and timely!
Thank you.
Oh good! Thanks for reading!
I've recently joined Substack because of your brilliantly informative posts. Thank you so much! These insights into the world of publishing are hugely helpful.
Yay! Thank you!
Thanks so much, Phoebe. This is super helpful, as ever! Xx
So informative, as usual!
🥰
Thank you for sharing all this wonderful insight. Is there any advantage in presenting your current book together with the plans you may have for the next one or two? For example I am finishing novel one and have two short stories that are essentially plans for a second and third novel but this is not a series. Would I be victim to a kind of 'buying in bulk' discount if I were ever offered a deal or am I adding value to my proposition by proposing more than one book?
If you have a brilliant second book idea in the same genre then yes that’s advantageous as it shows you’re someone who is serious about writing and has more than one good idea. So you’d possibly be offered a 2 book deal which would offer you more stability. Hope that makes sense?
Perfect sense - thank you so much. I better get back to writing. Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks for this, Phoebe. So helpful and informative! As an author yourself, is there ever a reason to *prefer* no advance up front? Yes, one earns royalties faster, but how often do they surpass what you'd get paid in advance?
Hello! They often can surpass what you’d get for an advance, yes. Plus on a digital first contract you usually get them more regularly eg monthly or quarterly rather than in instalments as you would with an advance. 🙂
Thank you, it's a reminder that when the next deal doesn't happen straightaway, the many hoops that have to be jumped through to get there! And also a reminder to remember the achievement of getting a deal in the first place!
Definitely - it’s a huge achievement!
Another fascinating and helpful post, thank you! This all makes me so excited to start querying soon!
Thank you for reading!