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Take our word for it: Among Joburg’s most interesting secondhand bookshops are James Findlay Collectable Books and Antique Maps.
Photos: Delwyn Verasamy

More black fiction writers need to be published in South Africa

Publishing diverse voices could prove to be a source of domestic and global success for local publishers

Words: Among SA’s celebrated people is activist, academic and writer Charlotte Maxeke

OPINION| Black writers and publishers are South Africa’s ‘linguistic orphans’

The challenges we face in the world of scholarly and leisure reading and writing are not unique to our country but it is crucial to overcome them if we want to be as good as we…

Transplanted cultures: Indian women are shown on a sugar plantation in Natal in 1939. Indentured labourers arrived in South Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Photo: Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images

Children of Sugarcane: Where nothing sweet endures

With a rich plot full of surprises, Joanne Joseph’s debbut novel is bound together by a poetic turn of phrase

(Simon Dawson/Reurers)

Brexit, climate, racism: the Frankfurt book fair in quotes

The Frankfurt book festival allowed star authors to give their opinion on the current state of the world

Author Nthikeng Mohlele has had all of his earlier books reissued. (Photo: Oupa Nkosi)

When love conquers

A family with everything money can buy, but beneath the surface their lives are seriously damaged

In an increasingly multi-connected global world, UbuntuLab connects Africa to the world and to itself. (Photo: Moshopyadi Heil)

All are one at Ubuntu.Lab

Through guided conversations at Ubuntu.Lab, people can take off their masks in a safe and sacred space

Disagreement about economic policy has seen the communist party put distance between it and the ANC. (File photo/MG)

‘Radical chic’ author Tom Wolfe dies at 88

The American author and journalist was known for his association with New Journalism, a style of news writing developed in the 1960s and 1970s

Tjieng Tjang Tjerries: The characters that inhabited my life and wrote my stories

Author Jolyn Phillips on her debut collection of short fiction, her ideal reader and her inspirations.

The crux of great horror writing

It took Sarah Lotz just 30 pages to convince Hodder & Stoughton to make her an offer she didn’t refuse: a world-rights deal for her novel The Three.

Henning Mankell: Paradise is a fiction of compromise

The author of the best-selling "Wallander" detective series reflects on his dual roles as writer and activist.

Into the future: Ian M Banks created a compelling vision of the world in his books.

Iain Banks: The future isn’t what it used to be

Gwen Ansell reflects on the culture shock a great writer leaves in his wake .

Aminatta Forna: Intimate acts of betrayal

Aminatta Forna tells Maya Jaggi that Africa scares the West, but that there’s as much reason to be scared in Croatia as in Sierra Leone.

According to Mariette Liefferink

Author’s notes: MD Villiers

"I want readers to cry, laugh, think and feel"

Zadie Smith has made the list again.

Women writers come out tops on Granta’s list

Granta has released its 2013 list of the 20 most promising young British novelists under 40 and for the first time there is a majority of women.

Author’s notes: Niq Mhlongo

Niq Mhlongo’s Way Back Home is his coming of age as a novelist.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Truth is no stranger to fiction

The parts of her work that people tell her are unbelievable are those that are most closely based on real events.

Judy Blume’s ‘Tiger Eyes’ to be made into a film

Fans of celebrated, American author Judy Blume will be delighted to hear that "Tiger Eyes" has been adapted into a movie.

Colonialism and conflict: Mahmood Mamdani examines the problems of African countries

Mahmood Mamdani: Legal Band-Aid not for deep wounds

An authority on ­colonialism argues that lasting peace depends on political and not ­judicial solutions.

Author’s notes: Rachel Zadok

Rachel Zadok’s ‘Sister-Sister’ is published by Kwela Books.

The Cutting Room by Mary Watson.

Cutting it fine: Books as heroin

Mary Watson’s ‘The Cutting Room’ is published by Penguin Books.