Majesty Publishing House Africa has announced the launch of the Africa Women Writers Residency, a fully funded four-week programme that supports emerging women writers from five African countries and amplifies new voices in African literature.
The residency, scheduled for September 2026, will select 12 women writers from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Participants will undergo an intensive mentorship programme and have their work published in a forthcoming anthology titled ‘New African Voices: Stories That Shape Africa’s Future.’
The programme will begin with three weeks of virtual workshops and guest lectures facilitated by selected African authors, followed by a week-long in-person residency in Nairobi, Kenya. All expenses, including travel, accommodation, meals, local transportation, and cultural activities, will be covered by Majesty Publishing House Africa.
Speaking about the initiative, Lorraine Onduru, Chief Executive Officer of Majesty Publishing House Africa, said the residency was designed to address barriers faced by talented women writers across the continent. In his words:
“There has never been a more global appetite for African voices, yet too many of our most promising women writers lack the infrastructure to develop their craft and reach readers at scale. This residency is a direct investment in closing that gap. Twelve writers. Five countries. One anthology. And a publishing commitment that does not end when the residency does.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing conversations about the state of Africa’s publishing industry. Citing UNESCO’s 2025 African Book Industry Report, Majesty Publishing House Africa noted that the continent accounts for only 5.4 per cent of global publishing revenue. The report also found that Africa imported books worth $597 million in 2023 while exporting books valued at just $81 million.
Eligibility Requirements
- Gender: Women writers
- Nationality: Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa
- Literary representation: Must not be represented by a literary agent at the time of application
- Genres: Fiction, fantasy, creative non-fiction, memoir, and poetry
- Career stage: Emerging writers with a strong body of work, published or unpublished
- Age: No age restriction
- Language: Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Availability: Must be available for the full four-week programme, including the in-person Nairobi week in September 2026
How to Apply
Submit the following to residency@majestypublishingafrica.com:
- A 250-word motivation letter introducing yourself and your interest in the residency
- A writing sample on the theme “A New Dawn for Africa”, submitted in one of the following formats:
- An essay or short story of 1,000 words
- One poem of up to 1,000 words, or two poems amounting to approximately 1,000 words in total
- Majesty Publishing House Africa also invited organisations and individuals interested in supporting African storytelling to collaborate through sponsorship, media partnerships, and cultural exchange initiatives. Interested parties may contact Lorraine Onduru at lorraine@majestypublishingafrica.com.
Application deadline: 22 June 2026
Founded in 2022, Majesty Publishing House Africa is an independent Pan-African publishing house focused on promoting African narratives through storytelling. Its catalogue includes She Shall Be Called Woman, Amani and the Last Seed, and the forthcoming memoir Finding Zoe, scheduled for publication in June 2026.
Best of luck to all applicants!
