The Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop has announced the call for applications for its fourth edition, scheduled to take place virtually from January 5 to 9, 2026. The annual program, designed for emerging African writers, remains free to enter and attend.
Founded to support and mentor new literary voices across the continent, the Idembeka Workshop offers early-career writers an opportunity to develop their craft under the guidance of established authors.
Classes will take place on Google Meets from 5 PM to 7 PM UTC and will be taught by the following writers:
- Rafeeat Aliyu
- Sihle Ntuli
- Michelle K. Angwenyi
- Ibrahim Babátúndé Ibrahim
- Gloria Mwaniga Odary
Submission Guidelines
- Prose entries (fiction and creative nonfiction) should not exceed 1000 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 mandatory. Omit all identifying information. This means: No name/pen name or email address should appear on your submission document or file name. Only the story title and wordcount should accompany the first page of your manuscript.
- Applications are accepted from 15th October – 15th November 2025 or until the submission cap of 100 is reached.
- 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- Please submit only unpublished work.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.
- Save your entry, story/poem and your cover letter (which should include the title/genre of your entry and a short bio) either as a PDF or Word document.
- Click HERE to submit.
For inquiries or to withdraw a submission, writers may reach out to idembeka@gmail.com before the deadline.
Best of luck to all applicants!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
