Majesty Publishing House Africa launches fully funded residency for emerging women writers

The initiative, dubbed the Africa Women Writers Residency, will bring together 12 writers from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa for mentorship, workshops and literary development aimed at strengthening African storytelling and expanding publishing opportunities for women writers across the continent.

According to the publisher, the programme will begin with three weeks of virtual workshops and guest lectures led by established African authors before culminating in a week-long in-person residency in Nairobi, Kenya.

Participants selected for the residency will also have their work published in an anthology titled New African Voices: Stories That Shape Africa’s Future.

Lorraine Onduru, the CEO of Majesty Publishing House Africa, said the programme was designed to address barriers facing emerging African women writers, particularly those without literary representation.

“There has never been a more global appetite for African voices, yet many promising writers still lack opportunities to develop their craft and access wider publishing platforms,” she said.

The residency comes at a time when conversations around Africa’s publishing industry continue to highlight structural challenges affecting local authors and publishers. A UNESCO African Book Industry Report cited in the announcement noted that Africa accounts for a small share of global publishing revenue despite growing demand for African literature and stories.

Applications are open to women writers from the five eligible countries working in fiction, fantasy, creative non-fiction, memoir and poetry. Applicants must not be represented by a literary agent and must be available for the full duration of the programme.

To apply, writers are required to submit a 250-word motivation letter alongside a 1000-word writing sample on the theme “A New Dawn for Africa” to the email: residency@majestypublishingafrica.com. The deadline for applications is June 22, 2026.

Founded in 2022, Majesty Publishing House Africa describes itself as an independent Pan-African publisher focused on promoting authentic African narratives through literature and storytelling.