Authenticity
What it looks like in action:
- Acquiring manuscripts from writers with deep, personal connections to their subject matter.
- Employing cultural consultants and sensitivity readers to ensure respectful and accurate representation.
- Championing stories that challenge the “single story” of Africa, publishing everything from cutting-edge Afrofuturism and gritty urban noir to heartfelt family sagas and historical epics rooted in factual events.
- Prioritizing own voices narratives where the author’s identity reflects the experiences within the book.
Excellence
What it looks like in action:
Rigorous editorial processes with developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading that refine without distorting the author’s voice.
Investing in high-quality design, including captivating cover art and clean, readable interiors.
Meticulous production standards in printing and binding for both physical and digital books.
Strategic and professional marketing and publicity that effectively connects the right book with the right audience.
Inclusivity
What it looks like in action:
Publishing across a wide spectrum of genres; literary fiction, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, and academic texts.
Actively seeking submissions from underrepresented regions and communities within the continent and diaspora.
Translating works between African languages like Swahili, Amharic, and Yoruba, as well as into international languages like French and Portuguese.
Ensuring our own team and board reflect the diversity we wish to see in our catalogue.
Collaboration
What it looks like in action:
Transparent and fair contracts with authors, ensuring they are partners in the process and fairly compensated.
Partnering with educators to develop relevant curricula and get impactful books into classrooms and libraries.
Working with cultural institutions (museums, festivals, art galleries) to create immersive events that connect literature to other art forms.
Building relationships with booksellers, both large chains and independent stores, to ensure our books are accessible.
Sustainability
What it looks like in action:
Giving back a percentage of profits to literacy initiatives, library development, and writing workshops in underserved communities.
Implementing eco-friendly publishing practices, such as using recycled paper and soy-based inks, and exploring print-on-demand to reduce waste.
Ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for everyone in our supply chain, from our staff to printing-house workers.
Creating a mentorship program for aspiring publishers and editors from Africa.
