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Craig Higginson was born in Zimbabwe. He attended Michaelhouse and Clifton Nottingham Road before leaving South Africa at the end of 1995 to work in the UK. He also spent time in Paris before returning back to South Africa in 2004. The Book of Gifts is Craig Higginson's latest novel. Set partially at the Oyster Box, Umhlanga Rocks in Durban. “At eleven years old, Julian Flint prefers to remain invisible, safe inside the architecture of adults provided by his mother, his uncle and his aunt. But when his mother, Emma, a celebrated sculptor, takes them all on a family holiday to a hotel by the se ..read more

The South African Writers’ Circle will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in a few months. The Circle was founded in September 1960 by journalist, Fay Goldie, and thirteen enthusiastic amateur and professional writers. Its objective was then, and still is, to promote the art of writing and the interests of its members.  The initial group met at London House in Smith Street (now Anton Lembede Street), and they called themselves the Durban Writers’ Circle. The name of the Circle was changed in 1985 to the South African Writers’ Circle, to recognise its national membership, and they now mee ..read more

  GrÖndal’s House Residency – Reykjavik, Iceland INTERNATIONAL WRITER‘S RESIDENCY IN REYKJAVÍK In 2019 the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature offered for the first time a free residency for a writer from another UNESCO City of Literature. In 2020, we offer the residency to children’s book author in association with Mýrin, International children’s Literature Festival - myrin.is. WHAT? Reykjavík, a UNESCO City of Literature since 2011, offers a one month residency for a visiting writer from another UNESCO City of Literature. The offer is open to published children’s book authors from, or a ..read more

Invitation to writers from UNESCO Cities of Literature What: The New Zealand Young Writers Festival (NZYWF) is an annual four-day programme of workshops, panel discussions, performances and other events by and for young writers (aged 15 – 35). It covers a broad range of modes, from poets and playwrights to journalists and essayists; we celebrate wordsmithing in all its glorious forms. Where: The NZYWF is held in Dunedin, New Zealand, UNESCO City of Literature. When: Provisional dates for the sixth festival are Thursday 1st – Sunday 4th October 2020. Who: We warmly invite writers in our UNESCO ..read more

The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, a collaboration between the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the ONE Campaign, and the Elliott family, honours an up-and-coming journalist in Africa who strives to strengthen people's voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. The deadline for applications has been extended until 31 December. To see more about the award and apply, visit their website: https://www.icfj.org/our-work/michael-elliott-award-excellence-african-storytelling   ..read more

  WRITING WORKSHOPS Ginny Porter from the South African Writer’s Circle will be conducting writing workshops for aspiring authors, as well as published authors who would like to sharpen their writing skills. Ginny is a published author and academic with a Masters in Higher Education. She has extensive experience in teaching and running workshops. Ginny has been involved with the SA Writers’ Circle since 1999 and over the years has arranged many writing seminars and run numerous workshops. She has published books from children’s to academic literature and general fiction. Currently she obt ..read more

Tracey Farren has recently published her third novel, The Book of Malachi. Novel follows Farren’s first two novels, Whiplash about a sex worker on a heart breaking redemption journey was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Literary Award and won a White Ribbon award for its role in the battle against woman and child abuse, and Snake, a psychological thriller about a little farm girl who watches a charming stranger destroy her family. Her new novel, The Book of Malachi (Kwela) is a work of speculative fiction about an inhumane medical project taking place on an oil rig in the deep ..read more

CALLING ALL WRITERS OR THOSE INTERESTED IN WRITING: The South African Writers’ Circle, a non-profit nationwide organization that exists solely for the benefit of writers, both published and beginner, invites you to attend a General Meeting on Saturday 15 June 2019 to be held in the meetings room below the Westville Library at 11 am. Fiona Khan has been invited to be the Guest Speaker. Fiona is an internationally published and award-winning poet, author, leader and academic. She is also the founder of the Global Forum 4 Literacy and the Traveling Books Project. Fiona has numerous accolades for ..read more

  CALLING ALL WRITERS OR THOSE INTERESTED IN WRITING The South African Writers’ Circle, a non-profit nationwide organization that exists solely for the benefit of writers, both published and beginner, invites you to attend a General Meeting on Saturday 13 April 2019 to be held in the meetings room below the Westville Library. The meeting is from 10:00-13:00. Mr Patrick Coyne, the Chairman, will be presenting on: Achievement in the face of incredible adversity: the story of Helen Keller. After the presentation, members and non-members will enjoy an alfresco lunch in the garden alongside th ..read more