Writing is often done in isolation, away from community. This, in itself, can make creative writing a very alienating experience for artists.
The organizers of the Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop know this and that’s one reason they have established a prestigious virtual workshop for African writers living in the continent.
Eligible writers are invited to apply to the inaugural edition of the Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop. Selected writers will be notified via email. There are no entry fees. Also, Attendance is free.
When Will the 2022 Edition of the Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop Start and End?
The workshop will be held virtually, and it will run from the 9th to the 13th of January 2023. Attendance is free.
What Are The Eligibility Guidelines For The Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop 2022?
- Only writers with three or fewer publications are eligible to apply (self-publication is excluded from this restriction)
- Entrants must be African. Also, they must be currently resident in an African country.
- Writers who are serious about writing creatively.
- Emerging writers who intend to take the writing workshops seriously.
Which Writing Tutors Will Be Teaching At The Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop 2022?
Classes will be taught by the following accomplished writers and writing teachers:
- Okey Ndibe
- Ukamaka Olisakwe
- T.L. Huchu,
- Mubanga Kalimamukwento,
- Kasimma
- Frances Ogamba.
Submission Guidelines ForThe Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop 2022:
- Only short stories, poetry and creative nonfiction pieces are allowed.
- Prose entries should not exceed 1000 words.
- Poetry: A maximum of 5 pages.
- Manuscript format: William Shaunn manuscript, 12 point (New Times Roman or Arial), Margin: 0.5. Double spaced.
- Submissions will be judged blindly, so please omit all identifying information. No Name/Pen name or email address on your submission document. Only the story title should appear on the manuscript.
- Application window: November 1st – November 30th, 2022 or until the organizers reach the submissions cap.
- All submissions must be sent:
- Via email
- to [email protected]
- in a PDF or Word document as an attachment. (
- Subject line must include the word SUBMISSION + your name, surname, and title of the story.
- Use your name, surname and title of your story, in the file naming section. eg. Save your file using the following conventions: FIRST NAME, LAST NAME_STORY TITLE. JANE DUNNAMIS_THE HONEST POLITICIAN.)
- Please submit only unpublished works.
- No multiple submissions. Only one submission per entrant.
- Please include the word SUBMISSION in the subject line plus your name, surname, and title of the story.
- Add a cover letter on the body of your email, including your name, title of story, word count, address, contact details, and bio.
Successful candidates will be contacted via email.
What Will Writers Gain From Attending The Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop 2022?
- At the end of the workshop, stories produced by the participants will be considered for publication in Isele Magazine.
- Writers will learn how to write more eloquently.
- Participants will have a chance to have their stories critiqued constructively by other writers.
- There is an endless list of benefits. However, time and space will not allow us to enumerate them all.
How to increase your chances of getting accepted:
- Don’t panic.
- Choose your story idea wisely. If you can, avoid old and tired storylines.
- Make sure your story has a narrative arc, an interesting theme. Ensure that it is rendered from an irresistible point of view.
- Write what you know. Readers can tell when you’re being pretentious. Or better still, write what scares the hell out of you. What you don’t know can’t scare you.
- Read a few classic short stories. I’ll recommend John Updike’s ‘Pygmalion’ and Alice Walker’s The Flowers.
- You can find a few more fantastic short stories HERE, HERE and HERE.
- Poets may benefit from reading the writing tips in this article based on a poetry masterclass and this guide.
- If you’re a poet, here’s how to edit poetry.
- Don’t be in a hurry. Do your best to find the best story ideas that will make your application stand out.
Ready to learn how to write like the great literary artists you admire, don’t hesitate. Apply to the Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop 2022. Got inquiries, forward them to [email protected]