The 20.35 Africa collective is now accepting submissions for Vol. 4 of its annual online publication, 20.35 Africa: an Anthology of Contemporary Poetry. It will be guest-edited by the poets Nadra Mabrouk and K. Eltinae. Submissions opened on 1 February and will close on 16 March 2021.
The anthology is open to African poets between the ages of 20, or who would be 20 by the time of publication, and 35. Published and unpublished poets are encouraged to submit.
20.35 Africa’s Vol. 1 was guest-edited by Safia Elhillo and Gbenga Adesina, Vol. 2 by Yasmin Belkhyr and Kayo Chingonyi, and Vol. 3 by I.S. Jones and Cheswayo Mphanza.
Of Vol. 3, the poet Tjawangwa Dema said: “These poems are far from singular in their aesthetic ambitions and they reveal an unwavering attentiveness to everything from personal hurt to the symbolism of plants. But what may yet constitute this anthology’s true value are all these magnificent signs of listening before telling.”
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
– The anthology is for African poets who are between the ages of 20 (or who would be 20 by the time of publication) and 35
– Submissions can cut across various themes and each contributor may send three poems ONLY; please send us your best poems, properly edited
– The anthology is ONLY for African poets; we define an African poet as someone born in Africa, or whose parents (at least one) are African, or someone who currently lives in Africa and has done so for at least 10 years.
– Contributors published in the latest volume are NOT eligible for this volume, but may send in works for subsequent editions
– Poets who have had a full-length book or a chapbook or pamphlet published in electronic or print format can submit; poets who have not been published in any form or on any literary forum/outlet, and fall into the acceptable age bracket, are encouraged to submit as well
– Only poems written in English will be accepted; works translated into English from any African languages may be submitted, but they must be accompanied by their original.
– There is no stipulation as to the content of submitted poems but no poem should exceed 40 lines in length
– Identifying information, including names of poets, addresses, phone numbers, publication histories, should NOT be included in the manuscript or in the body of the email; submit through your personal email address and include the same email address on the last page of your manuscript; submissions will be judged solely on merit.
– We accept simultaneous submissions, but please notify us immediately if any of your poems is accepted elsewhere
– All entries must be submitted in a SINGLE WORD DOCUMENT, typed in TIMES NEW ROMAN, font 12, single spaced, and sent via email only to the 20.35 Africa Team at submissions@2035africa.org
– The email subject should read “20.35 AFRICA SUBMISSION”
– Submissions must be written in black ink; no colors
– Each poem must have a title
– Poems must be the original work of the contributor
– Accepted contributors must be available at all times, for the necessary editing of their works and correspondence that may follow
– We hope to respond to every submission by the end of June; however, there may be a delay in response time pending the editors’ final decision
– We will not entertain any inquiries concerning submission status till after June
– All inquiries must be sent to info@2035africa.org; inquiries sent to the submissions email address will not be read
– Deadline for submissions is midnight (UTC+01:00) of 16 March 2021
– Except on proven cases of plagiarism or when a piece we have published violates any form of human rights, we do not take down works once they have been published in our anthology or on our website
Inquiries about 20.35 Africa series should be directed to info@2035africa.org.
