The Journal of African Youth Literature (JAY Lit) is pleased to unveil its 10th issue, released to the public from today, December 31, 2025.
In her editor’s note, JAY Lit fiction editor, Deborah Oluniran-Adeniyi described the new issue thus: “Undoing the ribbon knots and introducing you to this issue is introducing you to rich poetry that preaches love, broods about life, tells of the fleeting nature of our existence, evokes voices of longing, and so much more. Introducing you to this issue is introducing you to vivid storytelling that explores the personification of curses, the uncertainty of reward for work and service, bold writing, the Siamese nature of love and lust, the sad reality of femicide and gender-based violence, and much else. Introducing you to this issue is introducing you to personal essays that ride on memory and explores the effects of the past on the present, critical essays that questions who we are as people, and photography that is as graceful as it is thought-provoking.”
JAY Lit Issue 10 is indeed a gift, wrapped in a beautiful time-freeze of the Lagos lagoon as captured by Anjola Kazeem, this issue brims with original African creativity with roots from Ghana, Liberia, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya, and Eswatini. The issue boasts of award-winning creatives who have been published far and wide, just as it is also sporting relatively new creatives, their shared excellence being the common denominator. This quality creates a rich blend of language, stories, perspectives, and style.
Full contributors List below:
POETRY
Daniel Naawenkangua Abukuri, Star Zahra, Ferdinand Emmanuel Somtochukwu, Reme Abel Nakruah Nawoe, Mungai Njenga M’mbogori, Gloria Ameh, Princewill Ticha, Olusegun Ajayi, Godwin Obaji, Valerie Mainoo, Isaac Kanyinji
FICTION
Oyinkan Braithwaite, Fiske Nyirongo, Nnamdi Anyadu, Cynthia Nnenna Nnadi, Sivuse Mbingo, Mukandi Siame, Su’eddie Vershima Agema, Onilude Ayomide, Mali Kambadu, Ayo Deforge
CREATIVE NON-FICTION
Naomi Nduta Waweru, Taslimah Woli
CRITICAL ESSAYS
Raphael Onyejizu, Elohor Ogaga-Edafe
PHOTOGRAPHY
Anjola Kazeem, KlacictheCreator, C. Anre John, S. Abdulwasi’h Olaitan
JAY Lit publishes literature written by, about, and/or for born-in-Africa youths. The journal’s definition of ‘African’ is not related to colour, race or ethnicity, but rather place of origin and heritage. The youth age category is from 15 to 35 years. JAY Lit publishes literature written by Africans in this age category and by other older individuals who are writing with African youths in mind, whether the writers are resident on the continent or in the diaspora.
JAY Lit has a multilingual approach, publishing work written in any of the countless traditional tongues or in the colonial English, French, or Portuguese. The journal is proud to be at the forefront of championing the young ones who are staking their claims at literary superstardom, as well as celebrating an older generation that has inspired today’s youth.
JAY Lit will announce the longlists and shortlists for the 2025 JAY Lit Awards in the coming days. The Journal will be open to submissions for a climate-themed issue all through January 2026.
To read and download the new issue, please click here!
