calling all zimbabwean poets

I received the following call for contributions a few days ago:

Illuminations: An International Magazine for Contemporary Writing has a long-standing interest in African writing. For next year's issue (due out in July 2009) we would like to include a special section featuring writing from Zimbabwe. The magazine is predominantly dedicated to poetry but a typical issue also features one prose piece (occasionally more) as well as photography and/or artwork. The magazine pays only in kind -- contributors receive two copies of the issue their work appears in, plus one copy of the following year's issue. To submit work, please send up to six poems not previously published or under consideration elsewhere, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope (and/or international reply coupons). If sending by e-mail, please include the poems in the body of your e-mail as we do not accept attachments.

Deadline for receipt of submissions is March 15th, 2009.

The issues of Illuminations that I have seen have all been beautifully put together and very well edited -- Simon Lewis, the editor, is a meticulous and careful scholar. Additional contact information is available on the journal's submission guidelines page.

update on the best african poetry 2009

I have extended the deadline to submit nominations for the Best African Poetry 2009 collection: to 18 February 2009. Please read the initial announcement for more complete details on eligibility and rationale.

My thanks to all who have sent in nominations to date -- both of their own work and that of others -- and do please spread the word among friends and colleagues and invite them to send in additional nominations. I am gratified by all those who have answered the call but would love to see and welcome many, many more.

Once the deadline for submissions has passed I will post additional information on the process of and expected timeline for notification of nominees, editing and printing.

On an unrelated matter: become a fan of african poetry review (usa) on Facebook (for those of you with profiles) and help us evangelize on behalf of African poetry.