Call for Submissions: The Revival Project

Saraba Magazine is pleased to announce a new editorial initiative: The Revival Project.

In the rush of the digital age, what is “new” and “exciting” often takes centre stage. Exceptional African writing that lives in limited-run print journals, behind expensive paywalls, or on now-defunct websites has become “dark matter” – it exists but cannot be seen, especially by those on the continent. 

We believe that tending to what has already been written is as vital as chasing the new. We are therefore seeking to reclaim these works and provide them with a permanent, open-access home. Hence, we are asking writers to help us “excavate” their own history, to help us give their work a second life.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking submissions of previously published work (Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry) that is currently inaccessible online. We want the “hidden” gems: the essay from a 2009 print-only magazine issue, the short story tucked behind the paywall of a reputable literary journal, or the poem from a journal that has since folded.

Submission Categories

The project will be released in three distinct instalments:

1. The Nonfiction Edition: Long-form essays, memoirs, and cultural criticism.
2. The Fiction Edition: Short stories and novel excerpts.
3. The Poetry Edition: Single poems or a packet.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for The Revival Project, your submission must meet the following criteria:

• Proof of Previous Publication: The work must have appeared in a recognised journal, magazine, or anthology.
• Digital Inaccessibility: The work must not be available via a direct, free-to-read web link. This includes work that was: published exclusively in print, published in a digital issue (PDF/Flipbook) without a standalone web version, or published on a website that is no longer active.
• Rights Status: You must currently hold the digital republication rights to the work. (Most standard contracts revert rights to the author after a specific period.)

Your submission must include:

 1. A clean, digital copy of the work (Word or Google Doc preferred).

 2. Original publication details (Name of publication, year, and format).

 3. A short bio.

 4. Confirmation that you hold the rights to republish the work.

Deadline: Submissions for the Saraba Revival Project close on 31st August 2026.