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Crossing Borders MagazineIssue Seven
 Welcome to a new series of Crossing Borders magazine. Over the summer the teams here at the British Council Literature department and at Lancaster University have been working hard to create an improved website to showcase fresh, creative and dynamic writing talent from across Africa. Issue Seven features short stories and poetry from six new African writers and Crossing Borders magazine's editor Becky Clarke gives an insight into independent publishing in this month's feature article.
Contents:
Introduction Independent Publishing The Hunger The Love Within Leaving on a Jet Plane The Rule of the Game Mavambo: The Beginning Poetry by Fungai Machirori
Becky Ayebia Clarke from UK
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A welcome return to the next phase of the British Council Crossing Borders Magazine following our short summer break and in time for new autumn book releases. The team at the British Council have been working hard behind the scenes to bring improved features to the website as well as extending our Features Articles into new areas. Exciting things are happening on the African literary scene...
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Becky Ayebia Clarke from UK
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As an independent specialist publisher, my mission is to bring the best new talent, as well as established and award-winning writers, to a wider audience by championing and celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of African literature to an international readership...
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Blessing Musariri from Zimbabwe
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Reaction to being published in CB magazine
'I was very pleased to receive the news that my story, Hunger had been chosen for the seventh edition of the Crossing Borders online magazine particularly as this is my second successful entry. The news came at a time when I really needed to hear good news from someone, somewhere – anywhere, and that it was about my writing was all the better. Having my writing published consistently is confirmation for me that I’m on the right track and I’m developing a more accurate gauge of the standard of my work through all the publishing opportunities that have arisen since I became part of the Crossing Borders project.'
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Hazel Couvaras from Zambia
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Reaction to being published in CB Magazine
'Wow! Wow! Wow! I shouted when I read my mail and danced a jig on my chair. I honestly didn’t think my story would make it, especially that of late my writing has sort of taken a backseat and that I was toying around with first person narrative for the first time. The seven chapters of 'The Love Within' had been sitting on my computer for months when last week I thought, why not? Well then, here we are! I love to write and most of the time I write for my own pleasure, you know a form of release for my own or other people’s thoughts and ideas. A private time to put all the unsaid into the said, but I can tell you, it is always a plus to have a story published! This is definitely a big boost for my writing confidence. Not only has this made me feel proud of myself, but will also have me scribbling (ok, keyboarding!) away with a new vigour and zeal, knowing very well that I can sit doing something that I love and enjoy so much and have other people enjoy it with me. Now that is a big wow!'
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Stephen Mugambi from Kenya
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Reaction to being published in CB Magazine
'I could not have received news of my story winning a place in the seventh issue of Crossing Borders magazine at a better time. I got the news when I really needed something to cheer me up. On that day Kenyan newspapers were awash with news on the inaugural Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize. I am no sore loser but the fact that my book Wait for me, Angela won second prize at the award did not have me in a particularly celebratory mood. However, news about my story being accepted for the Crossing Borders magazine changed that. It put back a broad smile on my face, a fact that I was only made aware of by a lady called Maryanne who works at the counter of my favourite street pub in Nairobi. Maryanne made me account for the smile by telling her what 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' was all about. I gladly did that.'
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Jackee Budesta Batanda from Uganda
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Reaction to being published in CB Magazine
'I was utterly and totally chuffed when I read the email informing me Crossing Borders was publishing my story. I have always loved story acceptances because they are the stars that light up the somewhat dim world of writing.'
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Batsirai Easther Chigama from Zimbabwe
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Reaction to being published in CB Magazine
'It's a Thursday evening and I have just come from the ICT Africa exhibition, I am tired but decide not to go straight home as I know there won't be electricity before 8 p.m. so I force myself to check my yahoo mail but there is nothing. Well I have another option to sit and go through all the spam I have been receiving from my workmates whilst I was away. Just before I leave the office I decide to check my yahoo mail again and voila, some refreshing news from Sophie. Too tired to pirouette or call anyone I drag my feet home but I am ECSTATIC.'
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Poetry by Fungai Machirori |
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Fungai Machirori from Zimbabwe
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Reaction to being publishes in CB Magazine
'I was a bit nervous when I sent out my poetry for the website. I asked myself what it would mean if I didn't get any feedback. Would it mean I wasn't good enough, that I was not yet at the level that I ought to be? Those are the questions that went through my head. So when I got the email confirming that my work would be published, I was very relieved and excited. I just wished I could have shared even more of my pieces.'
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