Tag: celebrating african independent authors

📢 Press Release: Postponement of the 2025 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize

Nairobi, Kenya – February 17, 2025 – We regret to announce that the 2025 edition of the prestigious Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize has been cancelled due to an insufficient number of submissions. This decision was made with careful consideration, as we believe in maintaining the high standards and competitive spirit that the prize represents. To ensure a more robust and competitive contest, we are excited to share that the cash prize for the 2026 edition will be doubled to KES. 40,000. Additionally, all submissions received for the 2025 edition will automatically be considered for the 2026 edition, allowing those works to be part of an even more significant celebration of African literary talent. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who submitted their works and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Our commitment to supporting and uplifting independent African authors remains unwavering, and we look forward to a stronger and more vibrant competition in 2026. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. For more information, please contact: The Secretariat Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com

2025 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Open for Submissions from 01 November 2024 – 15 January 2025

The 2025 edition of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize for quality, independently published books (fiction, poetry, and creative/narrative non-fiction) by African authors is open for submissions. About the Prize.        The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is an annual prize managed by Mystery Publishers, a Kenyan premier pan-African independent publisher with a bias toward African speculative fiction and genre/pop literature stories for quality, professionally self-published books. The 2025 winner will be awarded Ksh.20,000 (might increase depending on available funding). GUIDELINES The Prize is open to African authors on the continent or in the diaspora. An African is a citizen of any African country by birth if, on the day of the person’s birth, whether or not the person is born in any African country, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen or through naturalisation. Self-published authors only. (Proof of self-publishing to be provided.) A book or author is self-published if: It is DIY publishing (the author does all the publishing process by themselves); They engage professional author services providers/companies to provide the services for them (invoices and receipts for such services to be provided); They publish their books using self-publishing companies (a publishing agreement in addition to invoices and receipts to be provided); or Self-publishing companies may submit books on behalf of their authors (copies of publishing agreements, invoices and receipts issued to authors, and business registration/incorporation certificate to be provided). Books Eligible Print (hard copies) and eBooks (PDF only). Books submitted should be published in English (or translated into English). Not more than three (3) years since publication (only books published in 2022 and later). Traditionally-published books are not eligible. eBooks should not be a gift to download from Amazon. This is because the gift goes to just one person. Because of the judging process, the ebook may need to be read by multiple people. We will not accept invitations to download files from websites. Books submitted should tell an extraordinary story about the present or future of Africa (Afro-currency and Afro-futurism). Submissions close on 15 January 2025. Submission Fee Print books – Ksh.3000 per title. eBooks – Ksh.1,50015 per title. Payments to be sent to Mystery Publishers through the online payment gateway, PesaPal. Click Here to pay. Submission Guidelines Five (5) hard copy books for every title submitted are to be dropped at/sent to Nuria Bookstore, The Bazaar Building, Room A12, 1st Floor, Moi Avenue, Nairobi, addressed as follows: To Mystery Publishers Limited Tel: +254 718 429 184 Book Prize Submission By [Your Name and Contact Details] Once you send or drop your books at Nuria Bookstore, please let us know via email at bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com  CC afrikaredefinedbookprize@gmail.com eBook submissions should be through email (bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com) as follows: subject heading: ‘2025 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize submission by YOUR NAME’; Cover email and the eBook attached. PRIZE CRITERIA Selection of submitted books by Mystery Publishers. We look for professionally published books (whether a book is well presented—cover, pictures [if relevant] and layout) following industry standards. The submitted books are then taken through an internal review process for shortlisting. The shortlisted books are forwarded to a judges’ panel comprising beta readers, editors, authors, and publishers. They are given Book Score Sheets to complete for every book received. In general terms, the most important aspects they will be looking for are: essentials of a book (frontmatter and backmatter arrangement according to genre); design and layout of the book (proper design according to genre and category [fiction or non-fiction]); whether a book is well written (including structure and style); and theme (Afro-currency and Afro-futurism). The winning book will be announced at an award ceremony in June 2025, and the winner awarded the prize money, a trophy, and a certificate. The first and second runners-up will be awarded a certificate. For more about the Prize, click Here.

Medical Doctor-turned-author Dan Kairo Wins the 2024 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize

Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Announces 2024 Winner Nairobi, Kenya – October 30, 2024 – The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2024 edition: Sibiloi: The Genesis of Humanity? by Dan Kairo. This prestigious award celebrates the best independently published books by African authors, recognising outstanding contributions to literature that address current and future African narratives. Dan Kairo’s Sibiloi: The Genesis of Humanity? captivated the judges with its compelling storytelling and profound exploration of humanity’s origins. Set against the backdrop of Sibiloi National Park in Northern Kenya, the novel intertwines archaeology, mythology, and suspense, offering readers a unique and thought-provoking journey. The 2024 shortlist featured an impressive array of works from talented authors across the continent, showcasing the diversity and richness of African literature. The first runner-up was Run, Cheche, Run (YA novella) by Tony Mochama (Kenya), and the second runner-up was Joe’s Collectanea by Joshua Omeke (Nigeria). They were both presented with a certificate. Other shortlisted authors were: Serving God With Joy by Mary Maganga (Kenya) How to Help the Boy Child by Wilson Macharia The winner, Daniel Kairu Kiaraho, writing as Dan Kairo, will receive Ksh 20,000, scholarships to select creative writing courses at Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute, and a book distribution offer to all Mystery Publishers distribution channels. Dan Kairo joins the previous winners, Engineer Peter Nduati (2023) and Jerusha Kananu Marete (2022). “We are incredibly proud to honour Dan Kairo with this year’s prize,” said Vincent de Paul, the Publishing Manager at Mystery Publishers. “His work exemplifies the spirit of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize, celebrating the power of independent publishing and the vibrant voices of African authors.” The chairperson of the judging panel, Lexa Lubanga, founder of Kenyan Readathon and ardent supporter of Kenyan writers/literature, Lexa said: “Let us come together to collaborate in elevating the standards of our literary community, ensuring that these remarkable stories attain the recognition and appreciation they truly deserve.” The judging panel comprised reader and passionate supporter of African literature, Lexa Lubanga (Kenya) as the chairperson; Dr Michael Dickel (Israel) as the vice-chairperson; and members writer and columnist Empress Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki (Kenya), writer Lesalon Kasaine (Kenya), avid reader Xavier Omweri (Kenya), Tanzania-based Kenyan teacher, Richard Mbuthia, and Dr Carren Odhiambo from Rongo University (Kenya). For more information about the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize and to view the full list of shortlisted books, please visit https://bookprize.mysterypublisherslimited.com/shortlisted-books/2024-shortlist/.

Dr Carren Otieno and Teacher Richard Mbuthia Join the 2024 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Judging Panel

We are pleased to share the exciting news of new judges joining the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize judging panel. The panel is drawn from academicians, editors, publishers, writers, and readers. Dr Carren Otieno (Rongo University) and Tanzania-based teacher Richard Mbuthia have joined the 2024 judging panel. They will serve on the panel for two years, with the possibility of extending for a third and final third year. The two join others who are serving their second year: passionate reader and founder of Kenyan Readathon, Lexa Lubanga (Kenya), who is also the Panel chairperson; writer, poet, and publisher Dr Michael Dekel (Israel), who is the vice chairperson; writer and columnist Empress Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki (Kenya), writer Lesalon Kasaine (Kenya); and reader Xavier Omweri. We’re honoured to have the wonderful and committed team at this year’s Prize and to work together to recognise self-published works and writers in Africa. The 2024 submissions closed on 15 April 2024, and the judging process is ongoing. Dr Carren Adhiambo Otieno (Lecturer, Rongo University) – Kenya Dr Carren Adhiambo Otieno is a Kenyan scientist, an author of scientific articles, and a lecturer at the Department of Physical, Biological and Health Sciences, Rongo University – Kenya. She is a researcher with 18 years of experience and 22 years in academia. She has a B.Ed (Science), MSc Botany (Microbiology), and PhD Botany. Her research interest is in improving food security through research on orphaned and endangered food crops, plant pathology, microbiology, and climate change. She is passionate about empowering and encouraging girls to pursue STEM courses, leading to increased visibility. Richard Mbuthia (Teacher, Writer, Editor) – Kenya Richard Mbuthia is a Kenyan Tanzania-based teacher, passionate poet, editor, motivational speaker, and author of The Setting Noon and Other Poems (2017) and children’s poetry anthologies he compiled and edited Letters of Gold (2017), Bounding for Light (2018), Sparks in the Dark (2019), and Echoes of the Sun (2020). He has also been published in various local and international poetry anthologies, magazines, and online forums. Richard is passionate about teaching and developing poetry craft in children.

Abolished – Public Voting as Part of Evaluation of Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize

The move aims to preserve the integrity of the Prize and accord all shortlisted books and authors a fair chance. Kenya, 15 May 2024: The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize (ARIBP), an annual prize sponsored and managed by Mystery Publishers Limited, a premier pan-African publisher of choice,  appreciates your continued support in celebrating independent African authors. The ARIBP aims to recognise quality self-published books with unique and extraordinary stories addressing current and future Africa (Afro-currency and Afro-futurism), and to that end, empowering self-published (indie) authors to produce professional and quality books that meet industry-standard books. Previously, the shortlisted books were taken through a public voting system, which aimed to introduce the books and the authors to the public and different audiences; this contributed to ten per cent (10%) of the overall book evaluation criteria. However, this approach to evaluating shortlisted books conferred an unfair advantage to the authors with a large reader base, popularity, many social media followers, or lobbyists behind them, which does not automatically mean that such works are of better quality. This also created an illusion of winning the Prize because, psychologically (and conveniently so), the human mind will always consider the person or book with many votes as the best (or worst) in that list. In our endeavour to preserve the integrity of the Prize and ensure fairness for all shortlisted books and authors, the ARIBP Secretariat, in consultation with the Advisory Board, has abolished public voting as part of the evaluation criteria of ARIBP. The 2024 and subsequent prizes will only be evaluated by a panel of judges drawn from diverse backgrounds—readers, writers, editors, and publishers (not necessarily a MUST for the panel to comprise all backgrounds). Before submitting the books to the judging panel, Mystery Publishers’ editorial team shall review all submitted books to select those that meet the minimum quality publishing standards for shortlisting. The Judging Panel shall then take the shortlisted books through stringent quality parameters and evaluation criteria and share the reports with the authors. This was a difficult decision, as we know the effect it can have on you. We thank you for your understanding and support during this change, and as always, we promise to endeavour to preserve the integrity of the Prize and accord all independent authors a fair chance. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please get in touch with us at: Email: bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com

2024 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Open for Submissions

The 2024 edition of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize for quality, independently published books (fiction, poetry, and creative/narrative non-fiction) by African authors is open for submissions. About the Prize.        The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is an annual prize managed by Mystery Publishers, a Kenyan premier pan-African independent publisher with a bias toward African speculative fiction and genre/pop literature stories for quality, professionally self-published books. The 2024 winner will be awarded Ksh.20,000 (might increase depending on available funding). GUIDELINES The Prize is open to African authors on the continent or in the diaspora. An African is a citizen of any African country by birth if, on the day of the person’s birth, whether or not the person is born in any African country, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen or through naturalisation. Self-published authors only. (Proof of self-publishing to be provided.) A book or author is self-published if: It is DIY publishing (the author does all the publishing process by themselves); They engage professional author services providers/companies to provide the services for them (invoices and receipts for such services to be provided); They publish their books using self-publishing companies (a publishing agreement in addition to invoices and receipts to be provided); or Self-publishing companies may submit books on behalf of their authors (copies of publishing agreements, invoices and receipts issued to authors, and business registration/incorporation certificate to be provided). Books Eligible Print (hard copies) and eBooks (PDF only). Books submitted should be published in English or translated into English. Not more than three (3) years since publication (only books published in 2021 and later). Traditionally published books are not eligible. eBooks should not be a gift to download from Amazon. This is because the gift goes to just one person. Because of the judging process, the ebook may need to be read by multiple people. We will not accept invitations to download files from websites. Books submitted should tell an extraordinary story about the present or future of Africa (Afro-currency and Afro-futurism). Submissions close on 15 April 2024. Submission Fee Print books – Ksh.3000 or USD 20 per title. eBooks – Ksh.1,500 or USD 15 per title. Payments to be sent to Mystery Publishers through the online payment gateway, PesaPal. Click Here to pay. Submission Guidelines Five (5) hard copy books for every title submitted are to be dropped at/sent to Nuria Bookstore, The Bazaar Building, Moi Avenue, 11th Floor, Suite No. 1105, Nairobi, addressed as follows: To Mystery Publishers Limited Tel: +254 718 429 184 Book Prize Submission By [Your Name and Contact Details] Once you send or drop your books at Nuria Bookstore, please let us know via email at bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com  CC afrikaredefinedbookprize@gmail.com eBook submissions should be through email (bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com) as follows: subject heading: ‘Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize submission by YOUR NAME’; Cover email and the eBook attached. PRIZE CRITERIA Selection of submitted books by Mystery Publishers. We look for professionally published books (whether a book is well presented—cover, pictures [if relevant] and layout) following industry standards. The selected books are then taken through public voting, where readers vote for the book with the most extraordinary story to produce a shortlist of ten books. (Public voting accounts for 10% of the overall evaluation.) The shortlisted books are forwarded to a judges’ panel comprising beta readers, editors, authors, and publishers. They are given Book Score Sheets to complete for every book received. In general terms, the most important aspects they will be looking for are: whether a book is well written (including structure and style), and Afro-currency and Afro-futurism in the themes. The winning book is announced at an award ceremony at Alliance Francaise de Nairobi, and the winner is awarded the prize money, a trophy, and a certificate. The first and second runners-up will be awarded a certificate. Mystery Publishers shall print 1,000 copies of the winning book and donate them to schools and community libraries. The winning author shall be expected to accompany MPL during these events.

2024 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Open to All African Writers

The 2024 edition of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize for quality, independently published books (fiction, poetry, and creative/narrative non-fiction) by African authors shall open for submissions at midnight on 01 February 2024. Previously, the prize was open to Kenyan writers only. About the Prize.        The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is an annual prize managed by Mystery Publishers, a Kenyan premier pan-African independent publisher with a bias toward African speculative fiction and genre/pop literature stories for quality, professionally self-published books. The 2024 winner will be awarded Ksh.20,000 (might increase depending on available funding). The 2024 submission guidelines shall be released on 01 February 2024. Check out the 2023 shortlisted books Here and the prize award ceremony photos.

Press Release | 70-year-old Kenyan writer Engineer Peter Nduati Wins the 2023 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize

The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is delighted to announce that the 2023 winner is 70-year-old Engineer Peter Nduati, for his semi-biographical and social commentary book, Gooka from the Village to the City, published in 2022.   The 2023 prize was open to Kenyan authors only, and seven (female – 2 [28.57%], male – 5 [71.43%]) submitted eight books (fiction – 6, non-fiction – 1, children’s – 1), but seven were shortlisted. Chaired by Lexa Lubanga, founder of Kenyan Readathon and ardent supporter of Kenyan writers/literature, the Judging Panel recommended to the Advisory Board Engineer Peter Nduati as the 2023 winner of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize, who was approved and announced during the Prize award ceremony held at the multimedia library of the Alliance Française de Nairobi. Regarding the judging criteria, Lexa said: “Different books scored differently. Some would be strong in writing style but fail in professionalism and theme; others were strong in professionalism but failed in theme; while others were good in theme but failed in writing style and professionalism. As a general rule, the winning book MUST score more than 90 per cent (Judge’s Score) on professional rating; if none, no winner shall be announced, and the prize shall not be awarded. For a book to address Afro-currency/Afrofuturism well, it MUST score over 80 per cent. The Runners-up MUST score over 80 per cent and less than 90 per cent, i.e. be within the 80 to 89.99 percentile (Judge’s Score in professionalism).” The evaluation criteria entailed public voting (introducing the works to the public and allowing the readers to vote for the book with the most compelling story), which is 10% of the overall rating, and evaluation by a judging panel, which is 90% of the overall rating. The winning book is the first non-fiction book moulded in historical, scientific, and mathematical satire. The judges said it was the best professionally (self-)published, scoring 91.34 per cent on professionalism and 88 per cent on addressing the theme of Afro-currency and Afrofuturism. Engineer Peter Nduati joins the previous winner, Jerusha Kananu Marete, as the pioneers of this noble prize envisioned to be the premiere prestigious book prize for African independent writers. The judging panel comprised reader and passionate supporter of African literature, Lexa Lubanga (Kenya) as the chairperson; Dr Michael Dickel (Israel) as the vice-chairperson; and members writer and columnist Empress Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki (Kenya), writer Lesalon Kasaine (Kenya), avid Xavier Omweri (Kenya), and Ugandan journalist and writer, Philip Matogo. The Prize secretariat is guided by an advisory board comprising multi-artist expert Dr Gameli Tordzro (Ghana); veteran Kenyan journalist and broadcaster John Sibi-Okumu (Kenya); Dr Amakove Wala (Kenya); activist Mbizo Chirasha (Zimbabwe); media practitioner and founder Qazini, Damaris Agweyu; and literature enthusiast Dr Robert Aron (USA). Engineer Peter Nduati received a cash prize of Ksh.30,000, an increase from 2022 when the winner received Ksh.20,000. His winning book captures his daily experiences mirrored in his village days toggled and enmeshed with the past, making the narrative both semi-biographical and a social commentary. The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize aims to recognise quality, professionally self-published books that address AfroCurrency or Afrofuturism themes, help improve reading culture in Africa, and create opportunities for authors. The first runner-up was The Leaves of May (novel) by Muthoni Maina, and the second runner-up was Back-Fence Talk and Other Stories (short stories) by Caroline Kinya Mbaya. They were both presented with a certificate. Other shortlisted authors were: Davis Njoroge; Beyond (novel, Sci-fi) – 2022 Peter Muchai; The Alternative (novel, crime) – 2022 Bonface Nyamweya; Peeling the Cobweb (novel – 2022 Hamisi Wawire; Hot Chalice (novel) – 2022