Prior to November 30, 2023, it was unthinkable that stakeholders in the publishing industry would be searching for  Okadabooks alternatives.

Sadly, this has been the case since the African self-publishing platform Okadabooks closed its virtual doors permanently, leaving a void in the publishing industry. Authors are now searching for new platforms to showcase their work, while readers are seeking alternative sources for engaging stories from talented writers.

Self-publishing is challenging. In fact, this report argues that 90% of self-published books sell less than 250 copies. Okadabooks provided an increased access to a wide range of readers. Furthermore, it simplified the publication and distribution of books for writers and readers on the African continent. Since its closure, new platforms have sprung up to ensure African writers can still sell their books and that readers can access books with ease. 

So, if you are seeking alternatives to Okadabooks, you’ve come to the right place. We have compiled a comprehensive list of options for publishing stakeholders. Enumerated below is our ultimate list of Top 7 Okadabooks alternatives for 2024.

1. Pabpub

Phoenix Award Books Publications (Pabpub) is the closest alternative to Okadabooks, with similar features and more that help writers distribute their books to readers. Pabpub is described as a hybrid publisher, infusing self-publishing with traditional publishing in what can be pitched as Amazon Print-on-Demand meets Cassava Republic Press. 

The platform has two publishing options;

1. The self-publishing option called the Fluid Package
2. Traditional publishing Diamond Package

The fluid package, which is the most popular, gives the writers complete control of their book, from covers to formatting and marketing, allowing PABPUB to serve only as a source for the book. The Diamond Package (currently on hold) uses all of the traditional publishing features, giving the publishing platform more control over publication and distribution. 

Pabpub currently boasts of being able to provide copies as small as one or as many as hundreds, depending on the reader’s needs. What makes it even better is that a delivery fee is incurred less than that of print-on-demand sites like Amazon.

Readers also have the option to read free books on the Pabpub website or pay small amounts for paid books with the platform’s digital coins, Pubcoins. This Okadabooks alternative also allows readers to use their simple subscription plans to have all the books at their fingertips.

2. Iko Africa

Iko is one of the newest platforms on the block dedicated to pushing storytelling in Africa.  It allows writers to share their stories with a built-in audience of readers passionate about African narratives. Readers can explore a diverse collection of literary works and discover new voices. The platform also encourages collaboration by allowing users to connect with writers and other members of the African literary community, fostering conversations and growth in the creative space.

Features of Iko Africa include:

• Social and Serial Publishing

On Iko Africa, writers can share short or long-form content and serialized works. This is an excellent option for writers whose abilities lie in posting chapters of their writing in parts. Authors can build a loyal readership awaiting each new instalment, encouraging readers to stay connected and engaged with the story over time.

• Creator Rewards

Writers can get paid for their content, helping writers get an income from their skills. 

• Community Engagement: 

Direct interaction between writers and readers.

• Writing Resources: 

Offers writing classes, interviews, editorial support, and a curated selection of standout works.

Iko Africa is an innovative social publishing platform that empowers African writers by offering a space for them to share their stories, and they are taking steps forward in revitalizing African writing and providing greater visibility for diverse stories.

Read: Ways to get ideas for your story. 

3. Bambooks

Bambooks is a reading platform in Nigeria for books. It serves as a digital library that offers users access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and comics from any internet-connected device, including mobile phones, tablets, and computers.

They also offer a range of services to writers, helping them publish and promote their work effectively. Writers can upload manuscripts to the platform, making them instantly available to Bambooks’ broad reader base. This digital publishing process ensures authors’ accessibility and exposure. Additionally, writers can monetise their content, earning revenue from book sales and subscription-based access.

 Unlike many Okadabooks alternatives, Bambooks also helps promote these works to a broad audience, assisting writers to gain visibility. Authors can engage directly with their readers, fostering a loyal community and receiving valuable feedback.

4. Ebony Story

Ebony Story is an online platform that has been around for a while. Founded in 2017, they are dedicated to African storytelling, offering a wide variety of free, serialised fiction or online novels. While it allows readers to access stories across genres such as romance, drama, fantasy, and thrillers, all tailored to African experiences and narratives, it also empowers writers by providing a platform to publish their work and engage with readers. 

The platform encourages reader-writer interaction through comments and feedback on each chapter, fostering a community of African literature enthusiasts.

5. Africa Read

Africa Read is a digital platform that promotes African literature by providing a space for writers to publish their works and for readers to access a wide range of stories. It emphasizes showcasing African voices and narratives across fiction, poetry, and short stories. 

The platform is designed to celebrate African storytelling, allowing authors to share their unique perspectives and for readers to discover diverse African stories. Africa Read supports both emerging and established writers.

One of the platform’s primary offerings is its user-friendly app, which categorises various books, including genres like business, children’s literature, novels, and textbooks. For aspiring authors, Africa Read provides tools for self-publishing, allowing them to bring their work to life without the barriers typically associated with traditional publishing. They also offer marketing resources and guidance for authors, helping them effectively promote their work. 

Africa Read promotes reading not just for enjoyment but as a means to enhance skills and knowledge, catering to the evolving needs of readers in a digital landscape.

6. African Books

AfricanBooks.com is an online Christian publishing platform established in 2021, dedicated to amplifying the African voice within the global narrative. Their primary mission is to provide a space for African writers and publishers, offering quality African content through their digital bookstore.

They offer competitive pricing that aligns with current African market rates, ensuring accessibility for readers. Additionally, they support multiple currencies and provide African payment options to facilitate user transactions based on the continent.

African Books helps authors benefit from the platform by providing accessible royalty earnings, which they can receive in African bank accounts and mobile money platforms.

7. Itanile

Although Itanile is predominantly a literary magazine focused on promoting African writers regardless of their career stage, it also encourages the publication of e-books on its site, encouraging writers to share their works with the Itanile reader base. 

To sell your ebooks, you must fill in the details on their website, and then you can enjoy the features accorded by Itanile. 

Why This Is Great News For Everyone  Seeking Alternatives to Okadabooks in 2024 

While Okadabooks is gone for good, their vision of ensuring writers can find ways to publish and market their works still lives on in the aforementioned platforms. Each of these Okadabooks alternatives is dedicated to one cause—ensuring writers find a home for their stories to be accessed by eager readers waiting to read.  

Are you a bookseller, an author or a reader? Which of these platforms will you be trying out?

The post Top 7 Okadabooks Alternatives in 2024 appeared first on Creative Writing News.

MetaStellar Magazine is Currently Accepting Flash Fiction Stories in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Genres. 

MetaStellar is an online publication focusing on horror, fantasy and science fiction, launched in September 2020, founded by a dozen speculative fiction writers, editors and artists from around the world. The primary goal of MetaStellar to help people enjoy speculative fiction. The secondary goal is to help authors promote their work, so the more people enjoy the site and visit it, the more the authors’ work will be promoted.

They have opened their submission windows and are now accepting flash fiction. They are looking for stories that stand out, which means you should ensure your story ideas are captivating and interesting.

MetaStellar also accepts nonfiction, book excerpts, reprints and reviews at any time of the year, however, they do not pay rates for those.

Submission Guidelines for MetaStellar Magazine

• The submission window for the fall 2023 flash fiction submission cycle is March 1 to March 31.
• Authors will be notified in mid-April about whether their stories have been accepted for publication.
• The author will retail all original copyrights.
• Stories must be under 1,200 words in length and fall under the genres of science fiction, fantasy or horror.
• Your story must be properly edited. To learn how to edit your work, check here.
• Please submit only one story per cycle.
• Simultaneous submissions to other publications are allowed, as is the use of AI to help write the story.
• To submit, do so through the official submission site.

Meanwhile, MetaStellar Magazine also accepts reviews, essays, reprints, and book excerpts for publication.

Payment

Stories will be published under a non-exclusive license, at a rate of 8 cents per word.

Deadline

The deadline for submission is March 31st, 2023

Goodluck in your submissions! 

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Graydon House is a paperback imprint that is dedicated to publishing book club-worthy women’s fiction. They are currently accepting unagented submissions from Black writers. Their interest includes, but is not limited to, historical fiction, suspense, family dramas, friendship stories, and more. If you submit your work, you will receive personalized feedback on your submission within 90 days. And if they are interested in your work, they will recommend agents for you to contact. The deadline for submissions is 8 September, 2020. 

Eligibility:

• Black writers.
• There is no submission fee.

How to Submit your manuscript to Graydon:

• Send a query letter and the first 30 pages of your manuscript to GHSubmissions@harpercollins.com. 
• The deadline is 8 September 2020.

Before you submit to Graydon House you should consider this tip on how to write your query/cover better, as recommended by an agent at novelty.

check out this article on How to Write a Good Cover Letter and How to write the Author’s bio in your cover letter.

Also, read this on creating good characters.

Wondering if your novel started well? Read How To Start A Novel: A Guide To Writing Bestselling Fiction.

Don’t forget to get your manuscript edited.

Goodluck.

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The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing is a literary prize awarded for a debut work of fiction or nonfiction by an immigrant writer. The prize, which comes with a $10, 000 prize and a publishing deal, is administered by Restless Books. This year’s edition of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing is for fiction and has Dinaw Mengestu as one of its judges. The prize closes by May 1, 2020.

Who is Eligible:

• Entrants must be first-generation residents of their country, which refers to people born in another country who relocated or whose parents were born elsewhere.
• Entrants must not have previously published any book.
• There is no submission fee.

How to Submit:

• Submit a complete manuscript of fiction—it could be a book-length story collection or a novel—or a sample of at least 45, 000 words.
• The submission must address some of these issues: identity, the meeting of cultures and communities, immigration and migration, and the global society we live in today.
• Include a detailed proposal that includes a synopsis and an annotated table of contents.
• Additionally, include a CV and a one-page cover letter on the first pages of your submission.
• Submit here.
• The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2020.

Prize:

• $10, 000.
• Publishing deal.

The post The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant in Fiction/ How to Submit (Prize: $10, 000) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Graywolf Press, a press that believes in “champion(ing) outstanding writers at all stages of their careers to ensure that adventurous readers can find underrespresented and diverse voices in a crowded marketplace”, now calls for submissions for its Nonfiction Prize. The prize, which began in 2005, is awarded to the most promising and innovative project by a writer who is not yet established in the genre. This year, the prize will be awarded to a manuscript in progress; the prize comes with a $12,000 advance and publication. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2020.

Who is Eligible:

• Any writer who is not established in the genre of nonfiction who resides in United States.
• There is no entry fee.

How to Submit:

• On the first page of your manuscript, include a cover letter containing a short biographical statement and a brief description of the project. Note that, while previous publication is not a requirement, you should include any previous publications in the biographical statement if you have them.
• Include an overview of the project: a description of the part of the project that is complete and the parts that still need working on; it should be between 2—10 pages long.
• And, submit a minimum of 25,000 words (100 pages) from the manuscript.
• Submit here.
• The deadline is January 31, 2020.

Prizes:

• A $12,000 advance.
• Publication.

Good luck.

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Until the 16th of January, 2020, The Stinging Fly is open to submissions of poetry and prose for Summer 2020 issue. The literary magazine which was established in 1997 “to seek out, publish and promote the very best new Irish and international writing” has become one of the leading literary magazine from Ireland, known for publishing some very fine short story writers. The magazine pays for accepted work.

Who is Eligible to Submit:

• Any writer from anywhere in the world.
• There is no submission fee.

How to Submit:

• Submit a single unpublished short story or nonfiction piece, or a pack of 3 unpublished poems.
• There is no required word limit for short stories but that “they should be as long (or as short) as they need to be”.
• Featured poets: If you are a poet who is “working seriously towards a first collection”, send a pack of 6—8 poems to be one of the featured poets in the next issue of the magazine.
• Response time is within 4 months.
• The deadline for submissions is the 16th of January, 2020.
• If your submission is ready, submit here.

Payment:

• All contributors receive a copy of the issue in which their work appears, and can order more copies at a discounted rate.
• The magazine pays €25 per magazine page for a fiction/ nonfiction.
• For poems, the magazine pays €40 for a single poem that does not exceed magazine page.
• Featured poets are payed €200.

Good luck. xx.

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Are you between the ages of 15 and 19? Do you write poems? This is for you?

Ernest Ogunyemi, together with Fiyinfoluwa Timothy Oladipo, is curating anthology of the best poems by young African poets or who are of African descent and are between the ages of 15 and 19. The anthology will be available for download as an e-book on Brittle Paper and will be guest-edited by the poets Itiola Jones, winner of the 2018 Brittle Paper Award for Poetry, and Nome Emeka Patrick, whose poetry manuscript We Need New Moses. Or Martin Luther King was a finalist for the 2018 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets. The deadline for submission to the anthology is November 30, 2019.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

• Anybody who is African or of African descent and is between the ages of 15 and 19.
• Entrants do not need to live on the continent, they may live in the diaspora.

How to Apply:

• Submit a minimum of two poems or a maximum of four.
• The poems could be on any theme, but each poem must not exceed forty lines.
• The poems must be in English; those in any other language will not be read. However, translations are welcome, but they must be accompanied by the originals.
• The subject of the email should be, “Young African Poets Anthology Submission”. Note: “There should be no identifying information on the attached document, all information should be in the body of the email. Add your email on the last page of your poem.”
• If your work is ready, submit to: yapanthologysubmissions@gmail.com
• Submissions close by November 30, 2019.

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Do you have a diabetes story, a story about your experience with diabetes? The story could be about someone who you knew, whether alive or dead, and it could be about you. Here’s your chance to tell it! Submit it to the Miss BloodSugar Contest before the deadline, October 15.

Who is Eligible to Submit?

• Anybody who has a diabetes story to tell, either their own story or that of a loved one.
• No age limit.
• No entry fee.
• No fiction submissions, all entries must be essays, personal or not personal, that have been previously unpublished.

Who are the Judges?

• Ifediba Zube, editor of Miss BloodSugar.
• Deleteh Bank.
• Ibimina LeggJack.
• Onothoja Oreva.
• Oghenevbede Eruteya.
• Dr Ugwuanyi O. Alexander.

How to Apply.

• Write a first person narrative on your experience with diabetes. It may be your own personal story, or that of someone very close, whether dead or alive.

• The first person narrative should capture one or more of these things: ‘the effects of diabetes on relationships, faith, religious beliefs, lifestyle choices and of course health.’

• Narratives should not be more than one thousand words.
• You could use personalized headings.
• Articles and essays which have previously been published are not welcome.
• Entries must be original and must be well-edited.
• Entries are opened until October 15.
• Winners will be announced on World Diabetes Day, November 14th, 2019.
• Submit your story here: Miss BloodSugar

Prizes.

• First prize—#30,000
• Second prize—#20,000
• Third prize—#10,000
• The story that wins the first prize will be published on Bella Naija.
• The top 15 stories will be published in the anthology, Naija Book of Diabetes Stories.
• Selected authors will get free e-copies of the anthology.

Good luck writers!

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Brief Guidelines:

• Length for stories: not more than 1200 words. Employ word economy
• Tell your story in a manner that will evoke emotions from the reader (make the reader cry, laugh, get goose bumps or say “Wow!”)
• The story should start “in the action” and draw in the reader. Do not start your story with an introduction to what you are going to say, or end with a concluding paragraph about what you just said.
• Don’t try fancy moves with tenses. Writing in the present tense about something that happened in the past rarely works.
• Your story must be true. No fiction. But creative non-fiction will do.

There are a few free sample stories on the Chicken Soup Website so you can get inspiration from reading their archives.

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