Dear Friends,
Every October, the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF) in Germany brings together publishers, agents, scouts, librarians, consultants, service providers, authors, and industry professionals from around the world. This year, eKitabu's participation in FBF focused on two areas: first, a stand to showcase African literary content from local authors in Kenya, and second, a panel session titled, “The Next Global Bestseller by an African Author Will Be a Hit in Africa First.” The panel session brought together authors Scholastica Moraa and Dr. Emmanuel Ngwainmbi. The session was moderated by Mercy Kirui, Senior Manager, Publishing at eKitabu.
Notably, Mercy was also selected to participate in the 2024 Frankfurt Fellowship Programme—an intensive training and networking initiative designed for publishers, editors, rights and licensing managers, and literary agents globally. The programme emphasises the exchange of knowledge, professional dialogue, and the expansion of international networks in the book industry. Additionally, she later participated as a panelist in a session entitled, “Literary Highlights from the Global South.”
Some of those who attended FBF shared their experiences:
“The International Stage Panel Session was an incredible experience, despite my initial nervousness. The audience was curious and eager to learn about African literature, and I enjoyed sharing my journey as an author, which highlighted the challenges poetry faces in publishing. However, the dedicated audience for poetry is hungry for more,” said Moraa.
“I was impressed by the level of professionalism and support we received as authors, and I believe that with more time and engagement—especially on the international stage—Africa’s presence in global publishing will continue to grow. There’s much more to explore, and I look forward to future discussions,” Dr. Ngwainmbi said.
“Kenya has a rich literary tradition, with a growing crop of talented authors producing works that reflect the country's diverse cultures, languages, and contemporary issues. Writers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Grace Ogot, and Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor have put Kenyan literature on the global map. The emergence of younger writers like Gen-Zs, poets, and spoken word artists is also contributing to a vibrant literary culture,” said Kirui.
As we reflect on our FBF journey and look toward the future, we remain committed to our core values of giving African writers the platform they need to reach both local and global markets, including opportunities to sell foreign and translation rights, focussing first on reaching African readers in Africa.
Warmest regards,
Will