The Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop was established in 2022 by the Nigerian writers Frances Ogamba and Kasimma and the Zambian writer Mubanga Kalimamukwento. Its name is a combination of “ide,” the Igbo word for pillar, and “mbeka,” the Bemba word for star, and so it is meant to be a “pillar of light” for upcoming African writers.
Recognizing the challenges faced by writers on the continent, the workshop is aimed at African writers (meaning writers who are African nationals) living anywhere on the continent with three or fewer publications. The workshop is conducted virtually, for a week, under the guidance of award-winning African authors living all over the world.
Eligible writers are invited to apply to the third edition. There are no entry fees and workshop attendance is free.
It will be held virtually from 6 – 11 January, 2025. Classes will take place on Google Meet, from 5PM – 7PM UTC, and will be taught by the following writers:
- TerryAnn Adams
- Peter Njeri
- Chido Muchemwa
- Ifeanyichukwu Eze
- Resoketwe M. Manenzhe
Eligibility
● Only writers with three or fewer publications are eligible to apply (self-publication is excluded)
● Entrants must be African and currently reside in Africa
Submission Guidelines
● Prose entries (fiction and creative nonfiction) should not exceed 1,000 words
● Poetry: a maximum of 5 pages
● Manuscript format: Font 12 (Times New Roman or Arial); margin: 1; left-aligned, double-spaced. Poetry can be single-spaced.
● Blind submissions are preferred. Be sure to omit all identifying information. This means: No name/pen name or email address should appear on your submission. Only the story title and word count should accompany the first page of your manuscript.
● Applications will be open from 15 October – 15 November, 2024, or until the submission cap of 100 is reached
● Save your entry story/poem and cover letter (which should include the title/genre of your entry and a short bio) either as a PDF or Word document and submit it through this form: https://tinyurl.com/3yaecnsy
● The file name of your submission must be the manuscript name only. E.g., THE HONEST POLITICIAN
● Please submit only unpublished work
● Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but no multiple submissions. Only one submission per entrant.
If your submission is accepted for publication elsewhere prior to our response, please withdraw your work from our consideration by sending an email to idembeka@gmail.com with the subject line: WITHDRAWAL.
Any submissions that do not meet ALL of these guidelines will be deleted unread.
Successful candidates will be contacted via email.
Email idembeka@gmail.com before the deadline if you have any enquiries.