Representing South Africa in the African Writers Series

Abstract

James Currey was the editor in charge of the African Writers Series at Heinemann from 1967 to 1984. His colleagues were Aig Higo in Nigeria, Henry Chakava in Kenya and Keith Sambrook in London. Between them they published the first 270 titles in the Series. James Currey is working on a book to be called Africa Writes Back about the first quarter century of the African Writers Series. It will show how the Series attempted to reflect the way that writing was developing in different countries throughout the continent. He has been able to draw on the African Writers Series files which Heinemann has lodged with the University of Reading library in their renowned publishing archive. In his book he will also show the way that publishing relationships developed with certain authors. His book will include detailed accounts of working with the South African writers in exile Alex la Guma, Dennis Brutus and Mazisi Kunene. His account of the vivid correspondence with Bessie Head has recently been published in Wasafiri in London.