Theme: I Am Because You Are
Organized by Mystery Publishers
Submission Period: 16 September 2024 – 15
December 2024
As part of the Our Stories Redefined series, Mystery Publishers invites Atrican writers, both on the continent and in the diaspora, aged 15 and older, to submit their non-fiction, autobiographical stories for the 2025 edition of Our Stories Redefined Anthology for African Writing, themed ‘I Am Because You Are. This collection, inspired by the concept of Ubuntu, explores the cycles of support within families, particularly the influence between parents and children. This anthology is an ode to how our upbringing shapes who we are —and who we are not.
THEME: I Am Because You Are
This anthology seeks to reflect on the intricate bonds that connect generations. We’re interested in autobiographical stories that delve into the impact of parenting, the reciprocal influence between generations, and the nuanced ways our childhood defines us. Your submission can be based on real-life experiences, reflecting on what could be or might have been.
VISUAL ARTISTS CALL AND GUIDELINES
In addition to the writing submissions, we are also calling on visual artists-those who create drawings, paintings, and photographs-to submit their work based on the family theme. The submission period for visual art runs from 16 September 2024 to 16
October 2024. The best pieces will be selected for inclusion in the anthology and will also be displayed in an exhibition hosted by Mystery Publishers.
ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Who Can Submit: Atrican writers on the continent and in the diaspora aged 15 and above.
Genre: Non-fiction, autobiographical accounts.
Word Limit: Maximum of 1,500 words.
Format: Submit in doc or docx format, using Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, through email (redefined@mysterypublisherslimited.com) as follows:
O subject heading: ‘Our Stories Redefined 2025
Non-Fiction Submission by YOUR NAME’;
O the stories as a single Word (.doc, docx, or.rtf) document;
O save your document as Word document
‘Redefined_Non-Fiction_Story_by_YOUR NAME’ as the file name; and
Language: Submissions should be in English (UK).
Works translated into English from any African language may be submitted, but they must be accompanied by their English version. Translations of stories are eligible if submitted by the writer (not the translator) and provided the translator is an African.
The translator’s details must be stated in the entry.
Anonymity: Writers who wish to remain anonymous may submit under a pen name of their choice.
Bio: Please include a short bio (maximum 150 words) with your submission, telling us your name (or pen name), where you come from (nationality), and what you do.
Pieces Submitted: The stories/ articles should be original and should not have been previously published anywhere in full or in part. Published work is taken to mean published in any electronic or printed, publicly accessible form, e.g. anthology, magazine, newspaper, blogs and websites, including personal blogs/ websites.
We do not consider simultaneous submissions, i.e. work that is being considered elsewhere.
