Crossing Borders Magazine

On 16, 17 and 18 April, London's Earls Court was abuzz with about 20,000 international and local visitors plus 1,200 exhibitors to this year's London Book Fair (LBF). Attendance figures were up by 18 - 20 per cent on last year's event. While the business of the fair was in full flow, important deals were also being negotiated...

Download 'Introduction'

It has been my experience that sometimes, when I let slip that I edit work for a magazine, some interesting-looking person will hustle me to one side and say something like: 'Did you know Gaddafi had a unit of female bodyguards'...

Download 'Pros, Cons and Blogs - Self Publishing and the Internet'

Reaction to being published in CB magazine:

'It was 6 March 2007, the day of Ghana's Golden Jubilee Independence Celebrations. It seemed the whole nation except me was in a jubilant mood. I had just finished a Chapter in Obstetrics and was bored. I decided to go to an internet café, about 200 metres away. I had given up on my submission to Crossing Borders Magazine a long time ago as two editions had already been published with no news from the Editors. Besides, I was getting disillusioned with this whole writing business following my unsuccessful attempt to find a Publisher in the USA for my short story collection. (The only ones interested were the Independent Publishers whose fees were too exorbitant for me). Thus, I opened my inbox and there it was; a message from Crossing Borders Magazine. I was so shocked, so happy and so proud of myself, I kept grinning from ear to ear in the roomful of strangers. I guess I may have looked quite stupid but I did not even notice. As I returned to the library to read the next topic on my timetable I realised after a while that I was too preoccupied with the news I could not concentrate, so I began to write this.

I would like to say thank you to all my fellow writers on type-writers.org. I enjoyed our discussions and the stories we shared. Above all, you inspired me to keep on writing. And a greater thanks to the British Council and Crossing Borders without whom I would no doubt have given up writing by now.'

Download 'The Watchman's Daughter'

Reaction to being published in CB magazine:

'A week before I finished my novel for teenagers, I received good news that my story had won big in a southern African regional competition. It was the first time for me to win $2,000, so naturally I was very excited. On the day I finished writing the novel, I found this message in my mailbox that my story had been accepted for publication in the Crossing Borders online magazine. I couldn't be happier! I think it is a year well begun. Imagine: I have been associated with Crossing Borders since 2003 but no article of mine has ever been published!'

Download 'That Famous Athlete Was My Husband'

Reaction to being published by CB magazine:

'It is very encouraging to have some of my poems published in the Crossing Borders magazine again! It only goes to show that the mentoring programme has been successful. It is a confirmation for me to share the whole work produced during the mentoring period in one collection. All thanks to the Crossing Borders mentoring platform and to Menna Elfyn, my mentor.'

Download 'Our Democracy et al'

Reaction to being published in CB magazine:

'I am simply elated and deeply enthused with the news of being published in the Crossing Borders magazine, after several attempts! This affords me the chance to appreciate that my writing can go beyond borders. It is a landmark in my writing career.'

Download 'Loafing Blues'

Reaction to being published in CB magazine:

'When I opened the mail that announced that my very first submission had been selected for publication, I am convinced I died a little. How else can I explain it when I couldn't feel my heart beating? Anyway it was a pleasant surprise. One of my friends asked if I had won a lottery as there was a 'permanent smile on my usually said face.' I told him I had won more than a lottery. Indeed getting published in the Crossing Borders Magazine is more than winning the National Lottery. Many thanks to the British Council and my mentor, Kathy McKay.' 

Download 'Strength of the Baobab'

Reaction to being published in CB magazine:

'I am so happy. The recent days had been very stressful for me as I had various disappointments. I sat on my reading table trying to understand what I was reading from some library books and discovered this was just a futile effort as my mind wondered back on the week's disappointing events. As I sat there reading, no pretending to read, I longed for some good news to boost my morals. It was at this point when Sophie's email arrived. I screamed, I jumped, I danced. God had answered my prayers. I knew it was not a bad week after all. He who laughs last laughs best!'

Download 'Daughter of the Mountain Part II'