Top 3 Stories in Publishing & Literature
Nigeria Prize for Literature: CORA Book Party Celebration
Kampala Writes 2025 Festival Features Jennifer Makumbi
ReadersMagnet Showcases Carla B. Zimmerman at Printers Row
At the 16th annual CORA Book Party in Lagos, the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), in partnership with the Nigeria Prize for Literature (NPL), honored the longlisted authors for 2025. Held on August 3, the event brought together prominent authors, publishers, critics, and book lovers—both virtually and in person—for readings and lively panel discussions that highlighted Nigeria’s rich and evolving literary landscape
The second Kampala Writes Literature Festival is set for August 15–17 in Kampala, Uganda, with celebrated author Jennifer Makumbi as the headliner. Under the theme “Belonging,” the festival promises thought-provoking literary events spotlighting East African voices and stories in a vibrant, immersive environment.
ReadersMagnet will be featuring Carla B. Zimmerman’s quirky new book The Wild, Wild East: A Cowboy Purim Shpiel at the 2025 Book Festival at Printers Row. This eye-catching presentation is sure to draw attention from festival-goers and literary media alike.
When a literature festival chooses Belonging as its theme, you know it’s aiming for more than just book signings and panel chatter. The 2025 Kampala Writes Literature Festival, set for August 15–17 in Uganda’s capital, promises to be a vibrant convergence of voices, ideas, and cultural exchange.
At the heart of it all is Jennifer Makumbi, the celebrated Ugandan novelist whose works—such as Kintu and A Girl Is a Body of Water—have garnered international acclaim for their layered storytelling and deep engagement with history, identity, and community. Her presence as headliner feels like an inspired choice: Makumbi’s writing embodies the very essence of belonging, exploring what it means to be rooted in place while navigating a rapidly globalizing world.
Why this festival matters
While literary festivals are often associated with big publishing hubs like London or New York, Kampala Writes is part of a growing movement of African-based events claiming their own space on the global literary stage. The festival will feature author readings, panel discussions, writing workshops, and networking opportunities—not only for Ugandan authors but for regional and international voices.
For indie authors, the rise of such festivals is both an opportunity and a reminder: publishing is no longer confined to a few major markets. Audiences and ideas are expanding, and festivals like Kampala Writes are proving that meaningful conversations about literature and identity can thrive anywhere.
The power of the theme: Belonging
Belonging is one of those deceptively simple words that carries a lifetime of complexity. It touches on cultural identity, migration, family, and the spaces—physical or emotional—we call home. In an era of shifting borders, hybrid identities, and globalized storytelling, this theme feels particularly timely. Expect panelists to tackle questions like: Who gets to decide where you belong? How do stories help us claim—or reclaim—our place in the world?
For authors watching from afar
Even if you can’t attend in person, there’s value in following the festival’s coverage. Look for livestreamed sessions or social media recaps for insights on how African authors are framing their narratives for both local and international readers. Pay attention to the way regional publishing is innovating around limited resources, tapping into community networks, and leveraging digital platforms.
Final takeaway
The 2025 Kampala Writes Literature Festival isn’t just an event—it’s a statement. It’s about asserting that great literature is everywhere, and that every community has the right to tell its own stories, in its own voice, on its own stage. Whether you’re an author, reader, or industry professional, the conversations in Kampala this August are worth tuning into.
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