Well, it varies. No two stories are the same, but in each case we’ll be looking for originality and creativity. We love stories that allow us to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary rhythms of living. The quiet routines, the fleeting encounters, the subtle dramas of daily life - that’s what we’re interested in.

We shape our publication around the stories you want to tell, so there’s no need to write towards a particular theme, but we would encourage you to spend some time reading some of our stories to familiarise yourself with what we’ve published so far.

This is an English publication but feel free to include languages from home – we believe in the power of Google so we won’t be including glossaries.

We publish short fictional stories.

We also commission non-fiction and photography for specific projects on a case-by-case basis.

Max. 5,000 words.

We publish writers from Africa and the global African diaspora. All are welcome.

We will be open for submissions during the following periods:

• Spring 2026

• Summer 2026

Specific dates to follow. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

We consider all submissions and we aim to respond within four weeks of receipt. We are not in the position to give individual feedback but please bear in mind that some stories may be well written, yet still unsuitable for AFREADA.

We pay £100 for each accepted submission.

Work should be previously unpublished – personal blogs and websites are an exception.

Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your work from consideration if accepted elsewhere.