The South African Centre of International PEN (SA PEN) has announced the launch of the second in the series of PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Awards.  Short story writers in Southern Africa are invited to submit entries for the £10 000 competition.

Have you ever heard the type of poetry that gives you goosebumps and sends you unexpectedly into a trance; the type where you just have to laugh in disbelief that anyone could come up with such lilting lyrics and resounding imagery? 

Long Time Coming: Short Writings from Zimbabwe, published by amaBooks in Bulawayo, has been chosen by New Internationalist as one of their two 'Best Books of 2009'.

The Zambian launch of Bryony Rheam's novel This September Sun took place with a reading by Bryony in Lusaka on Friday 26 February. The event was held at the famous Ababa House in Addis Ababa Drive.