Submit your manuscript

Jacana Media publishes a wide range of books and materials, including fiction and non-fiction, with a strong focus on Africa and especially Southern Africa. As for non-fiction, we are particularly strong in the fields of current affairs, history, politics, biography and natural history.

We do not, however, publish in the following areas:

. Poetry
. Short stories
. Science fiction
. Fantasy
· Teen fiction / young adult fiction
· Scripts (drama, film or television)
. Religion

Fiction

Jacana Media proudly hosts the Jacana Literary Award. If you have not published a novel before, and your manuscript is a work of general adult fiction, then please submit it for entry to the award (see entry details on this website).

Short stories

We do not accept short story submissions ourselves, but we publish the annual collection of Caine Prize winners. Please visit www.caineprize.com for more information about the prize, and for entry details.

Non-fiction

Here are some guidelines for presenting your publishing proposal. Key points to bear in mind are:

· the audience you are writing for;
· the structure of the book and its contents; and
· how your script differs from competitive titles.

Please provide the following information:

  1. A 300-word description of the aim and scope of the publication (including. leading features and benefits for the reader; intended style; and topics covered). Is there a gap in the available literature? Does it present new findings? Is it topical?
  2. A detailed contents list (chapter headings with a brief synopsis of each chapter).
  3. An outline (of one or two paragraphs) of the target market for the book. Whom are you writing the book for? How large is the market? At what level are you writing? (For instance, is it for readers new to the subject or for experienced practitioners?) Will the material be suitable for the international market or more useful to a local readership? Is your book appropriate for a particular course or qualification, i.e. does it have adoption potential?
  4. Details of any comparable or competitive books and tell us why yours offers something different. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the competition would be useful.
  5. The length of the book you envisage writing (estimated number of words).
  6. An indication of the time scale you are working to. When will the final manuscript be ready? Is there, in your view, an optimal time of year to publish?
  7. Biographical details of the author or authors, editors or contributors, giving information on present employment, experience relevant to the book and previous publications.
  8. Suggestions for marketing or sales support by way of clients, contacts, students or links with professional bodies. Do you have any media contacts that would help in reviewing the book or placing articles that could help to promote it?
  9. Information about possible sources of funding or co-publishing links.
  10. A sample chapter will help us to assess your proposal.

 

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL YOUR ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT AT THIS STAGE.

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