June 17, 2008, is the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart by Heinemann. This publication provided the impetus for the foundation of the African Writers Series in 1962 with Chinua Achebe as the editorial adviser.

Africa Writes Back: The African Writers Series and the Launch of African Literature captures the energy of literary publishing in a new and undefined field. Portraits of the leading characters and the many consultants and readers providing reports and advice to new and established writers make Africa Writes Back a stand-out book. James Currey’s voice and insights are an added bonus.

CONTENTS

Publishing and selling the African Writers Series

The African Writers Series Portfolio & George Hallett’s covers

Main dates for the African Writers Series

INTRODUCTION: The establishment of African Literature

Publishing Chinua Achebe

1. WRITERS FROM WEST AFRICA

Nigeria: The country where so much started

Negritude from Senegal to Cameroun

Magic & realism from Ghana, The Gambia & Sierra Leone

2. WRITERS FROM EASTERN AFRICA

Towards the oral & the popular in Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania

Publishing Ngugi

3. WRITERS FROM THE HORN & NORTH-EASTERN AFRICA

Emperors in Ethiopia

Publishing Nuruddin Farah

Arab authors in Egypt & Sudan

4. WRITERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Resistance in South Africa

Publishing Alex la Guma

Publishing Dennis Brutus

Publishing Bessie Head

Publishing Masizi Kunene

5. WRITERS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICAN

Guns & Guerrillas in Mozambique &Angola

Zambia Shall be Free

Death & detention in Malawi

The struggle to become Zimbabwe

Publishing Dambudzo Marechera

CONCLUSION: Is there still a role for the African Writers Series?