Poemify Publishers and Direwords have officially merged to form Ikike Arts, an innovative arts and media company dedicated to serving as a lighthouse for lovers of African literature.
The merger unites Poemify’s acclaimed poetry publishing program with Direwords’ strengths in fiction, memoir, and narratives exploring the modern African experience. Together, they bring over three decades of publishing expertise and a combined backlist of all titles previously published by both brands under the umbrella of Ikike Arts.
“We are thrilled to launch Ikike Arts and shine an even brighter light on the universe of talented African writers,” said Jaachị Anyatọnwụ, formerly of Poemify Publishers and now Co-founder/Publisher of Ikike Arts. “By pooling our resources, we can take African literature to new heights through strengthened distribution channels, increased digital presence, and better support for writers at every stage of their careers.”
“Ikike Arts is committed to enriching the literary landscape with a diverse range of offerings, including the Oriọna Literary Magazine, the Direwords Annual Writers’ Workshop, Poemify Podcasts, The Fellowship, and awesome literary prizes,” said Tochukwu Precious Eze, formerly of Direwords and now Co-founder/Chief Editor of Ikike Arts.
With a mission to cultivate literary excellence from across the African continent, Ikike Arts will publish works in English, French, Arabic and other African languages. Their publishing programs emphasize diverse perspectives such as untold tales, women writers, young and aspiring voices from Africa, and stories exploring intersectional identities.
In addition to print books, a key focus will be digital publishing initiatives to make African literature more accessible worldwide. New digital formats will allow readers to engage with literature through ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts and more.
For more information about Ikike Arts and submission guidelines for writers, visit www.ikikearts.com.
Contact:
Ikike Arts
Email: ikikearts@gmail.com
Twitter: @ikikearts
