Submit/FAQ

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Submission Guidelines

What kind of work do you publish? We publish a broad spectrum of literary and creative arts. These are some other subjects/directions that we are always interested in:

  • Poetry.
  • Fiction.
  • Translations of classical literature into African literature.
  • Translations of original writings in African languages into English.
  • New writings in any African language (with English translations).
  • Interviews with contemporary writers, newsmakers, creative writers, or culture creators.
  • Interviews with old/veterans of African literature/culture.
  • Writings that explore connections between Africa and the New World.
  • Writings that explore the African diaspora in new and interesting ways.
  • Writings that explore heritage, broadly defined.
  • Writings that explore Nigerian/African heritage in writing and culture.
  • Writings about the preservation of heritage or the challenge thereof.
  • Writings about Africans in diaspora.
  • Writings about African writings in diaspora.
  • Feature writings on writers, artists, culture creators, etc.
  • Travel writing; exploration of a new or old place.
  • Reviews of new titles in African literature and film (particularly contemporary literature), films, and exhibitions.
  • Reviews of literatures shortlisted for major prizes (like The Caine Prize, the Booker or Nigeria Prize for Literature, etc)
  • Literary/art news.
  • Literary interviews (with or without audio)
  • Scholarly writing in accessible language.
  • Human angle stories about Africa/Africans.
  • Photo essays. Multimedia/Mix-media essays/projects.
  • Essays about early African literature (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s).
  • Creative nonfiction & travelogues
  • Any research writings using our Black Orpheus archives currently digitized.
  • Any scholarly research written for a general, non-academic audience.
  • Translations: See Lingua below.

How do I submit? Send your work to submissions@olongoafrica.com. If you are unsure if your work fits our specific editorial voice, feel free to send a query first. We also directly contact writers for commissions.

In what form should my submission be? Preferably in Word Document format. No PDFs! Also add a short note about what you’re sending and why you think it’s important.

Do you pay contributors? Yes. We pay an honorarium for accepted original pieces. Our rates currently vary based on the type of submission (e.g., poetry vs. long-form journalism) and available funding. But expect between $30 and $200. Specific details will be discussed upon acceptance.

What is your typical response time? We read every submission carefully. Please allow up to six weeks for a response. If you have not heard from us by then, feel free to send a polite nudge to our submissions email.

Do you accept simultaneous submissions? Yes, we understand that writers often send work to multiple outlets. We simply ask that you notify us immediately via email if your work is accepted for publication elsewhere.

Are there specific word count limits? We are flexible, but generally:

  • Essays & Journalism: 1,500 to 4,000 words.
  • Fiction: Under 3,500 words.
  • Poetry: Submit up to 3–5 poems at a time.
  • Flash Fiction: Under 1,000 words.

Do you accept interns or volunteers? We occasionally accept interns or volunteer editorial assistants, particularly students or early-career editors interested in African literature and digital publishing. If you are interested, please send a CV and a brief cover letter to publisher@olongoafrica.com with “Volunteer inquiry” in the subject line.

Language and Translations

Do you publish in African languages? YES! Through our Lingua project, we actively commission and publish work in indigenous African languages alongside English translations. We believe in the sovereignty of African languages as vehicles for intellectual and literary expression. While the Lingua project supports translation of already published writings into African languages, OlongoAfrica also accepts and publishes translations from African languages into English.

For translations, do I need to hold rights to the original text? Yes. If you are submitting a translation of a contemporary work (not in the public domain), you must provide proof that you have secured permission from the original author or rights holder.

Copyright and Terms of Use

Who owns the rights to published work? Unless otherwise stated, copyright for all work published on OlongoAfrica remains with the individual authors and creators.

What rights does OlongoAfrica require? By submitting your work to us, you grant Olongo Publishing LLC the right to publish it first (First Serial Rights) and the non-exclusive right to archive it on our digital platform indefinitely.

Can I republish my work elsewhere? Yes. After publication on OlongoAfrica, rights revert to the author in most cases. If the work is commissioned, the right reverts in 12 months. If your work is subsequently republished in an anthology, book, or another website, we ask for a standard acknowledgment citing OlongoAfrica.com as the original publisher.

What is your policy on AI-generated content? We celebrate human creativity, memory, and language. We do not accept works written, translated, or generated by Artificial Intelligence (LLMs). By submitting, you affirm that your work is your own original creation and is not a plagiarized copy of either human or machine.

How do I contact the editor? For editorial inquiries, licensing requests, or speaking engagements, please email: publisher@olongoafrica.com.

Are you on social media? Yes. Follow us on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and/or subscribe to our YouTube page.