The African Authors Recognition Awards (AARA) is now receiving entries for its 2026 second edition.
Founded in 2025 by Victoria Haihambo (Namibia) and Marcia Chavunduka (Zimbabwe), AARA is a continental literary initiative dedicated to recognising, celebrating, and promoting African authors, storytellers, publishers, literary organisations, and contributors to the growth of literature across Africa and the diaspora.
Award Categories:
- Fiction: Novels, short stories, romance, drama, fantasy, and other imagined narratives.
- Non-Fiction: Books based on facts, real-life experiences, research, business, history, memoirs, biographies, or educational content.
- Children’s Literature: Books written for children and young readers.
- Inspirational/Motivational: Books focused on personal growth, empowerment, faith, resilience, healing, or transformation.
- Debut Author: For authors submitting their first published book.
- Poetry: Poetry collections and poetic works.
- Global Author: Open to authors from outside Africa.
To apply, click here:
Submission deadline: 31 July 2026.
The Awards ceremony is scheduled for 31 October 2026 in Windhoek, Namibia.
Best of luck to all applicants!
Sarah Adeyemo
Sarah Adeyemo, Swan IX, is a Nigerian poet, writer, editor, spoken word artiste and communication expert. The debut author of “The Shape of Silence”. She draws inspiration from solitude and experiences. She is a fellow of the SprinNG Writing Fellowship. Her works appeared or are forthcoming in Akpata Magazine, The Shallow Tales Review, The Muse Journal, The Weganda Review, Everscribe Magazine, Afrillhill Press, Poems For Persons Interest, TV-63 Magazine, Northern Writers Forum Journal, Eboquills, Rinna Lit. Anthologies, and elsewhere. She tweets @SarahInkspires.
