Hans ZellThe list below provides details of recent articles and studies on various aspects of publishing and book development in Africa.
All these papers, as well as a number published in earlier years, are now freely accessible at https://independent.academia.edu/HansZell.
“African Literary Journals and Little Magazines: An Inventory.”
The African Book Publishing Record vol. 50, nos.1/2, 2024. (Forthcoming, 2024)
https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/abpr/html?lang=en
Also at (pre-print version, freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/107474105/African_Literary_Journals_and_Little_Magazines_An_Inventory
Literary journals and ‘little magazines’ in Africa, like those elsewhere, have always lived a somewhat perilous existence and, sadly, many were short-lived. They tend to come and go, and their lifespan can be short due to their very nature. Non-commercial initiatives for the most part, some have served as nursery beds for poets, or as forums between writers and readers, while others have supported socio-political functions. Small magazines played an important role in the development of both anglophone and francophone African writing. It could be said that many up-and-coming African writers in the 1960s and 70s owe their first publication to these little magazines. This is an inventory of these journals, with details of their publishing history (year first published and date ceased, where known), their editors, a summary of contents, together with links to articles or profiles about them, where available. It lists a total of 90 African-published, principally literary magazines, of which 46 are still published today, in print or digital form, or both; or which are recently launched new magazines. Also included are scholarly journals on African literature and African literary history. Many of the journals listed have ceased publication a long time ago, while those still going face numerous challenges and constraints, but on the evidence of this inventory it can be said that publishing of literary journals and magazines in Africa is still full of energy—and is alive and well.
“African Scholarly Journals Publishing: Current Challenges and Prospects. With a Select Literature Review.”
The African Book Publishing Record vol. 50, nos.1/2, 2024. (Forthcoming, 2024)
https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/abpr/html?lang=en
Publishing of scholarly journals has changed quite dramatically in recent years, transformed by digitisation, consolidation and, above all, by the dominance of the leading citation indexes such as Elsevier’s Scopus and the Web of Science, among others. A large number of African scholarly journals are still excluded from these indexes, on the grounds that they are not fully meeting their criteria for inclusion. With scholarly reputation nowadays increasingly measured by these journal rankings, and their ‘impact factors’, this has inevitably created an uneven playing field.
It is now widely recognized that academic journals in the developing world face many challenges in becoming known and respected in the international research landscape. Many journals in Africa struggle to achieve visibility amid the now highly professionalized journals environment elsewhere in the world. At the same time, most are poorly funded/supported by their parent organizations, and this has led to a hugely fragile environment for indigenous research publishing. While researchers in Africa face equal pressure to publish as their colleagues elsewhere, they often lack, do not have access to, or are not aware of appropriate resources or support networks that could assist them to improve their skills and publishing know-how. This paper sets out some of the background to the current (2023) picture: the sources, directories and platforms for African journals, the frameworks for assessing publishing practices and standards, the leading citation indexes, and the resources for journal editors and publishers in Africa that might assist them to enhance their publishing operations. Includes a select literature review.
“Publishing and the Book Sector in Africa Today: A Synopsis.”
The African Book Publishing Record 49, issue 1 (2023): 1-12.
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/abpr-2023-0002/html
Also at (pre-print version, freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/91349803/Publishing_and_the_Book_Sector_in_Africa_Today_A_Synopsis
This synopsis seeks to provide a round-up of the current situation of the publishing industry and the book sector in Africa today (primarily that in English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa). It reports on current trends and topics, together with a brief review of the work and activities of the various organizations and agencies that have been supportive of the African book industries in recent years, the high-level conferences and meetings devoted to African publishing that have been held over the past five years, and the success – or otherwise – of their subsequent follow-up action plans and activities. A measure of progress has been achieved, but numerous challenges remain, some of which have persisted for decades despite several assistance programmes, and various attempts at getting book industry players to work together. Publishers' associations in Africa are still weak for the most part and are in need of a higher profile. They will want to become more proactive, more visible in shaping policies and identifying needs. Publishers and book trade associations should be driving research, get involved in data gathering, and developing a comprehensive range of training programmes for the African book professions. Meantime tangible government support for the book industries and libraries is still largely absent. Many national book development councils, where they existed in Africa a few years ago, are now dormant or, starved of funds over a long period, have been compelled to cease activities and close down.
“The Current State of Nigerian University Presses - A Bleak Picture.”
Africa Bibliography, Research and Documentation 1 (2021):12-30.
https://doi.org/10.1017/abd.2022.4
Also at (pre-print version, freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/70313650/The_Current_State_of_Nigerian_University_Presses_A_Bleak_Picture
In the 1970s and 80s there was a lively academic publishing scene in Nigeria (and elsewhere in West Africa), with several new university presses being launched. Today however, as a cursory amount of research about the current state of university press publishing in Nigeria demonstrates, the picture is bleak. This research (conducted in April 2021) revealed that traditional university press publishing activities seem to have been almost completely abandoned in most cases, although presses still exist in the form of commercial operations offering design, typesetting, and printing and binding services to the university, as well as to other customers. Nigerian university presses operating today seem to be far removed from the ideals and primary responsibility of a university press, which should be to produce and disseminate knowledge of all kinds, and promoting a literate culture upon which the foundation of the university as a national institution must ultimately rest.
Partly due to financial constraints and the demand to be self-sustained, many university presses have ceased to be publishing presses and have become printing presses. University administrators now view their presses as an opportunity for making money in times of dwindling resources, rather than as an outlet for the dissemination of scholarship. Publishing opportunities for African scholars by Western presses, and the availability of content within Africa, remains limited. The demise, and the now almost total lack of publishing output by Nigerian university presses, with most of them currently dormant or disbanded, can be said to be a major contributory factor to this unhappy situation. A two-part Appendix offers a select, critically annotated bibliography of scholarly publishing in Nigeria
“Women in African Publishing & the Book Trade: A Series of Profiles - Series II.”
The African Book Publishing Record 48, no. 2 (2022): 112-153.
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/abpr-2022-0004/html
Also at (pre-print version, freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/76616001/Women_in_African_Publishing_and_the_Book_Trade_A_Series_of_Profiles_Series_II
Publishing and the book industries in Africa still face a plethora of problems and challenges. However, one very positive development in recent years is that much progress has been made in gender equality in African publishing, which has seen the emergence of a whole new generation of agile, visionary, and enterprising women publishers. The first in a series of profiles of ‘Women in African Publishing and the Book Trade’ appeared in The African Book Publishing Record volume 47, issue 1, 2021 (see details/link below) and was well received. It profiled a group of women who have made notable achievements and impacts on the book sector in Africa: in publishing and the book trade, in different roles and positions. A kind of mini Who’s Who, the profiles are intended to be a showcase of the variety, richness and energy of women involved in book publishing and the book trade in Africa today, as well as some of the women who have made significant contributions to the African book sector in the past. The initial series of profiles focussed on 24 women in publishing in nine countries in English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa.
Series II presents a further series of profiles of 28 women breaking the mould in African publishing – currently and in the past – in eight countries in anglophone Africa, and one in Mozambique. In Series II the scope has been extended to profile not only women actively engaged in book publishing and the book sector in Africa (as directors or heads of publishing companies or book trade organizations, or in senior management positions), but now also including a number of women/academics involved in publishing education and training, and who have written extensively, and eloquently, about many aspects of publishing and book history in Africa.
African Publishers’ Associations on the Web: An Inventory and Directory.
The African Book Publishing Record 47, no. 3 (2021): 228-233.
https://doi.org/10.1515/abpr-2021-0007
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/50746203/African_Publishers_Associations_on_the_Web_An_Inventory_and_Directory
It has been generally recognized that book professional associations are still weak in many African countries, often due to lack of resources and skills. Several are dormant or carry little clout, while others seem to have ceased activities altogether. A total of 41 national book publishers’ associations in Africa were identified in this study, although a substantial number of them are not very active at this time; some have been dormant for several years now, or are still in the process of formation. Only 10 African publishers’ associations maintain active and currently accessible websites (as at March 2021).
The author argues that, in terms of global reach, and in today’s digital world, a web presence is essential for any book industry organization. “Publishers’ associations in Africa are in need of a higher profile. They will want to become more proactive, more visible in shaping policies and identifying needs; and publishers and book trade associations should be driving research, data gathering, and developing training programmes for the African book professions. It could be argued that this is even more important now when, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the book industries everywhere are facing hugely difficult and uncertain times.”
“Women in African Publishing and the Book Trade: A Series of Profiles.”
The African Book Publishing Record 47, no. 1 (2021): 8-43.
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/abpr-2021-0002/html
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/44277446/Women_in_African_Publishing_and_the_Book_Trade_A_Series_of_Profiles
“Digital vs Print Resources at African University Institutions: A Discussion Document.”
African Research & Documentation. Journal of SCOLMA. The UK Libraries Group on Africa no. 138, (2020): 3-16.
Pre-print version (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/43714325/Digital_vs_Print_Resources_at_African_University_Institutions_A_Discussion_Document
Abstract:
It is clear that both libraries and publishers in Africa will want to fully embrace the advantages and opportunities now offered by what is commonly referred to as the ‘digital revolution’. However, despite the enormous benefits of the new digital information environment, there are also a good number of caveats. While free access to many high-quality information sources and databases can be seen as a levelling of the playing field, and addresses some of the inequalities of access in the past, it also has its challenges and potential pitfalls. Academic libraries in Africa have had to adapt new technologies in order to satisfy today’s user expectations. Yet at the same time university libraries in Africa have been battling with declining budgets, and serious and chronic underfunding for over three decades now.
Amidst all the digital euphoria, and the constant proliferation of electronic information sources, a number of common myths and misconceptions have emerged, especially so among students. One misconception is that all information is available online, on the Internet, whether free or through fee-based services, and that most of the information anyone requires nowadays for study and research can be tracked down by Google searches or other search engines. But Google can’t or won’t do it all. The second misconception is that traditional print resources are now largely obsolete and need no longer be consulted in research; and visits to the library are no longer required. This is fallacious thinking on several counts.
There have been a good number of studies on reading preferences, and access and use of print vs. electronic resources at African university institutions. Their findings tend to vary among different disciplines, but most seem to indicate that both undergraduates and graduate students still expect a mixture of print and electronic resources to meet their information needs.
“Publishing & the Book in Africa: A Literature Review for 2019.”
The African Book Publishing Record 46, Issue 2 (May 2020): 132-187.
https://doi.org/10.1515/abpr-2020-0004
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/41749647/Publishing_and_the_Book_in_Africa_A_Literature_Review_for_2019
This is the fifth in a series of annual reviews of select new literature in English that has appeared on the topic of publishing and the book sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Extensively and critically annotated and/or with abstracts, the present list brings together new literature published during the course of 2019, a total of 156 records.
Records are grouped under a range of regional/country and topic-specific headings. The literature review covers books, chapters in books and edited collections, journal articles, Internet documents and reports, theses and dissertations, interviews, audio/video recordings, podcasts, as well as a number of blog postings.
The Guest Essay in this edition, “African Books Collective: 30 Years of Providing Visibility for African Books in the Global Market Place”, has been contributed by Justin Cox, CEO, African Books Collective, the worldwide marketing and distribution organization for books from Africa that is celebrating its 30th year of trading in 2020.
“Indigenous Publishing in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Chronology and Some Landmarks.”
African Research & Documentation. Journal of SCOLMA. The UK Libraries and Archives Group on Africa, no. 36 (2019): 36-61.
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/40687022/Indigenous_publishing_in_sub-Saharan_Africa_A_chronology_and_some_landmarks
To be published in African Research & Documentation. Journal of SCOLMA. The UK Libraries and Archives Group on Africa, no. 36 (2019) (forthcoming)
This chronological timeline sets out some of the key dates, events, and landmarks in the history and development of indigenous publishing in sub-Saharan Africa. It also includes details of the major conferences, meetings or seminars on African publishing, held in Africa or at venues elsewhere, since 1968. An earlier version of this chronology first appeared in The African Publishing Companion: A Resource Guide (2002), and has now been updated through to the period up to 2019, and considerably expanded to also include publication of a number of benchmark studies, conference proceedings, journals, and reference resources on the African book world.
“Publishing in Africa: Where Are We Now? An Update for 2019.”
Logos: Journal of the World Publishing Community,
Part I: Volume 30, Issue 3 (2019): 7-25.
https://doi.org/10.1163/18784712-03003004. (Or https://brill.com/view/journals/logo/30/3/article-p7_7.xml)
Part II: Volume 30, Issue 4 (2019): 16-36.
https://doi.org/10.1163/18784712-03004001.
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/39210555/Publishing_in_Africa_Where_Are_We_Now_An_Update_for_2019
Extracts from this paper also at https://www.readafricanbooks.com/opinion/publishing-in-africa-where-are-we-now/
This article is an update to a two-part paper published in Logos. Forum of the World Book Community over ten years ago in 2008/09. (Scroll down for details and links below.)
The update seeks to provide a broad round-up of the current situation of the book industry in Africa today (primarily that in English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa), together with a brief review of the work and activities of the various organizations and associations that have been supportive of African publishing over the years.
Part One looks at the persistent failure of African governments to support their book industries in a tangible and positive fashion, and their lack of support of public libraries. It reviews the current status of book development councils in Africa, and the unsatisfactory progress that has been made in establishing national book policies; examines the challenges of generating book industry data, and the opportunities now available to African publishers by the new digital environment.
Part Two offers a number of reflections and recommendations on the way forward, particularly as it relates to capacity and skills building, training for book industry personnel (including training for digital publishing), strengthening book professional associations, South-South linkages and knowledge sharing, encouraging international collaboration, the need for ongoing research and documentation, as well as issues as they relate to African books in the global market place, and the important but neglected area of publishing in African indigenous languages. An appendix provides a list of conferences, meetings, and seminars on publishing and book development in Africa held between 1968 and 2019.
An Addendum (post-IPA Seminar June 2019) to part II of the article can be found here.
“Publishing & the Book in Africa: A Literature Review for 2018.”
The African Book Publishing Record 45, Issue 2 (June 2019): 128-180.
https://doi.org/10.1515/abpr-2019-0004
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/38243661/Publishing_and_the_Book_in_Africa_-_A_Literature_Review_for_2018
This is the fourth in a series of annual reviews of select new literature in English that has appeared on the topic of publishing and the book sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Extensively annotated and/or with abstracts, the present list brings together new literature published during the course of 2018, a total of 114 records. Records are grouped under a range of regional/country and topic-specific headings. The literature review covers books, chapters in books and edited collections, journal articles, Internet documents and reports, theses and dissertations, interviews, audio/video recordings, podcasts, as well as a number of blog postings.
Starting with the 2018 edition it now also includes a ‘Guest essay’ feature preceding the literature survey. The first contribution is Richard Crabbe’s ‘Revitalizing the Book Chain for National and International Cooperation’, his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 16th Ghana International Book Fair on 30 August 2018, an eloquent and timely address, and which at the same time offers a succinct summing-up of the state of publishing and the book sector in Africa today.
“African Book Industry Data & the State of African National Bibliographies.”
The African Book Publishing Record 44, Issue 4 (Nov 2018): 363-389.
https://doi.org/10.1515/abpr-2018-0012
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/37581588/African_Book_Industry_Data_and_the_State_of_African_National_Bibliographies
Abstract:
No less than three international meetings on publishing in Africa have taken place recently, which have been followed with detailed action plans. Among many other recommendations, calls for action to find solutions to perennial problems, as well as discussions focusing on sectorial innovation and revitalization of the African book industries, participants in all three meetings were strongly urged to start collecting and disseminating book industry data. It is true that reliable figures of book publishing output for the continent of Africa do not exist at the present time, with the exception of a very small number of countries, notably South Africa and Morocco. Meantime the state of African national bibliographies, which can form the groundwork of book industry data, presents a picture of neglect for the most part, with many national bibliographies seriously in arrears, currently dormant, or having ceased publication altogether. Only a small number are accessible in digital formats.
Book publishing data and book production statistics are important elements in measuring the growth and vitality of indigenous publishing in any part of the world. In the absence of such data for most of the African continent, there is a need for research, analysis, documentation, and systematic gathering of current, reliable data and statistics on the whole book sector in Africa. However, there are huge challenges and complexities in the goal of collecting data for book industry surveys, which must not be underestimated. Many questions will need to be asked: for example, how is data going to be collected and analysed; what will be the parameters; and what are going to be the sources and the methods? Who should be responsible for undertaking the research and the compilation of such book industry data; and, crucially, who is going to fund the research and the data gathering process on a systematic and ongoing basis?
Collecting book industry data is closely interrelated with the publication of national bibliographies and, in addition to examining the issues and challenges relating to the creation of book industry statistics, this paper also provides an analysis of the current state of national bibliographies in Africa, as well as linked matters such as legal deposit legislation, and compliance of legal deposit. Most national libraries and bibliographic agencies in Africa continue to operate under severe constraints, and have been chronically underfunded by their governments for the past four decades or more. An analysis of the current status of African national bibliographies sadly presents a dismal picture.
It is unlikely that reliable data for the African book industries can be collected and published without the input and full cooperation of national libraries or bibliographic agencies. There is equally an urgent need for much more active collaboration and interaction between the agencies producing national bibliographies with publishers and book trade associations in each African country. Any attempts to revive the fortunes of African national libraries, and the resumption of publication of high quality and timely national bibliographies, will amount to a formidable task. This paper offers a range of suggestions and recommendations how the situation might be addressed and improved, but also points out that regular compilation of a national bibliography, and effective maintenance of legal deposit, necessitates adequate staff in terms of both numbers and expertise, which is not the case at this time.
“Publishing in African Languages: A Review of the Literature.”
African Research & Documentation. Journal of SCOLMA -The UK Libraries and Archives Group on Africa, no. 132, 2018: 3-90.
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/36334936/Publishing_in_African_Languages_A_Review_of_the_Literature.
This literature survey is an attempt to bring together some of the literature on an important and challenging, and one could well say neglected aspect of the African book sector, that of publishing in African languages. It aims to make a small contribution to the ongoing debate about publishing of indigenous language materials, how the profile of indigenous language publishing might be enhanced—and how publishing in African languages could be conducted as a societally beneficial, sustainable, and profitable commercial activity.
Following an introductory overview of current publishing in African languages – and a discussion of its many barriers to success – it lists a total of 170 records, covering the literature (in English) published since the 1970s and through to early 2018. Fully annotated and/or with abstracts, it includes books, chapters in books and edited collections, reports, journal articles, Internet documents, theses and dissertations, as well as a number of blog postings.
“Publishing & the Book in Africa: A Literature Review for 2017.”
The African Book Publishing Record 44, Issue 2 (May 2018): 116-167.
https://doi.org/10.1515/abpr-2018-0008
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/35877629/Publishing_and_the_Book_in_Africa_A_Literature_Review_for_2017
The third in a series of annual reviews of select new literature in English that has appeared on the topic of publishing and the book sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Extensively annotated and/or with abstracts, the present list brings together new literature published during the course of 2017, a total of 157 records. The literature review covers books, chapters in books and edited collections, journal articles, Internet documents and reports, theses and dissertations, interviews, audio/video recordings and podcasts, as well as a number of blog postings. Records are grouped under a range of regional/country and topic-specific headings.
“The African University Press – A Gloomy Picture.”
University World News Global Edition, Issue 475 (22 September 2017).
https://www.academia.edu/34690740/The_African_University_Press_-_A_Gloomy_Picture [with Appendix added]
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170922175606239 [Original article]
Issue 475 of University World News http://www.universityworldnews.com/index.php?page=Africa_Edition reported about a meeting hosted by Witwatersrand University Press, held in Johannesburg on 30 August 2017, that brought together a number of African scholarly publishers to discuss a wide-ranging study undertaken by François van Schalkwyk and Thierry Lüscher entitled The African University Press https://zenodo.org/record/889744#.Wcdyr7J96pp. (The database that is part of this project can be found at http://code4sa.org/african-university-presses/#all.) One of the report’s recommendations was to set up a network of university presses, as well as other scholarly publishers, to be called African Monograph Publishers Network/AMPNet, intended as a network for collaboration, experience-sharing, and advocacy. The above UWN Special Report includes a general round-up of the meeting, accompanied by a series of articles and commentary contributed by some of the participants, including comments submitted by Hans Zell (slightly edited in this version), and to which an appendix, Pan-African and regional book professional organizations, groups, and networks in sub-Saharan Africa: An inventory, has been added.
“Publishing & the Book in Africa: A Literature Review for 2016.”
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/31441110/Publishing_and_the_Book_in_Africa_A_Literature_Review_for_2016
The African Book Publishing Record 43, no. 2 (2017): 120-170.
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/abpr.2017.43.issue-2/abpr-2017-0004/abpr-2017-0004.xml?format=INT
This is the second in a series of annual reviews of select new literature in English that has appeared on the topic of publishing and book development in sub-Saharan Africa. Extensively annotated and/or with abstracts, the present list brings together new literature published during the course of 2016, a total of 164 items. The literature review covers books, chapters in books and edited collections, journal articles, Internet documents and reports, theses and dissertations, interviews, audio/video recordings and podcasts, as well as a number of blog postings, Records are grouped under a range of regional/country and topic-specific headings.
“Review Article: African Publishing Coming of Age.”
Logos. Journal of the World Publishing Community 27, no. 3 (2016): 52-60.
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/1878-4712-11112111
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/26872848/African_Publishing_Coming_of_Age._A_Review_Essay
Also at http://www.readafricanbooks.com/reviews/african-publishing-coming-of-age
Indigenous Publishing in Africa – The Need for Research, Documentation, and Collaboration. In: Coming of Age. Strides in African Publishing. Essays in Honour of Dr. Henry Chakava at 70, edited by Kiarie Kamau and Kirimi Mitambo. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers Ltd, 2016, 141-158.
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/24429073/Indigenous_publishing_in_Africa_the_need_for_research_documentation_and_collaboration (Pre-print version)
“Publishing & the Book in Africa: A Literature Review for 2015.”
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/20432811/Publishing_and_the_Book_in_Africa_-_A_Literature_Review_for_2015
Also in The African Book Publishing Record 42, no. 1 (March 2016): 11-37. [Published as “Reference Resources. Publishing and the Book in Africa – A Literature Review.”]
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/abpr.2016.42.issue-1/abpr-2016-0003/abpr-2016-0003.xml?format=INT
Book Donation Programmes Revisited.
http://www.readafricanbooks.com/opinions/book-donation-programmes-revisited (Posted November 2016)
“Book Donation Programmes for Africa: Time for a Reappraisal? Two Perspectives.” African Research & Documentation. Journal of SCOLMA - the UK Libraries and Archives Group on Africa no. 127 (2015) [Published 2017]: 3-130 (part I), 131-220 (part II).
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
Part I: Book Donation Programmes in English-speaking Africa, by Hans M. Zell
https://www.academia.edu/13165497/Book_Donation_Programmes_for_Africa_Time_for_a_Reappraisal_Part_I
Note: the pre-print version of the second part of this wide-ranging investigation into book donation programmes in Africa, Part II: Le don de livre, mais à quel prix, et en échange de quoi? Un regard sur le don de livre en Afrique francophone, by Raphaël Thierry (in French, with an abstract in English), can be found at https://www.academia.edu/13166294/Le_don_de_livre_mais_%C3%A0_quel_prix_et_en_%C3%A9change_de_quoi_Book_donation_programmes_for_Africa_part_2_
“How Many Books are Published in Africa? The Need for More Reliable Statistics.”
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
http://www.academia.edu/4549278/How_many_books_are_published_in_Africa_The_need_for_more_reliable_statistics
Also published in The African Book Publishing Record 39, no. 4 (2013): 397-406.
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/abpr-2013-39-issue-4/abpr-2013-0009/abpr-2013-0009.xml?format=INT
“Oxford University Press in Postcolonial Africa: A Review Essay.” African Research & Documentation. Journal of SCOLMA - the UK Libraries and Archives Group on Africa no. 121 (2013): 69-75.
Pre-print online version (freely accessible)
http://www.academia.edu/4246145/Oxford_University_Press_in_Postcolonial_Africa_A_Review_Essay
This is a book review essay of Creating Postcolonial Literature. African Writers and British Publishers by Caroline Davis (Basingstoke: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2013).
“Print vs Electronic, and the ‘Digital Revolution’ in Africa.” (Pre-print online version published 04 January 2013. Last updated and expanded 28 January 2013)
http://www.academia.edu/2514725/Print_vs_Electronic_and_the_Digital_Revolution_in_Africa
Also published in The African Book Publishing Record 39, 1 (2013): 1-19.
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/abpr-2013-39-issue-1/abpr-2013-0001/abpr-2013-0001.xml?format=INT
"Publishing in Africa: Where Are We Now? Part One: Some Spurious Claims Debunked."
Logos. Forum of the World Book Community 19, no. 4 (2008): 187-195.
https://doi.org/10.1163/18784712-01904006
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/2514809/Publishing_in_Africa_Where_Are_We_Now_Part_One_Some_Spurious_Claims_Debunked
"Publishing in Africa: Where Are We Now? Part Two: Accomplishments and Failures."
Logos. Forum of the World Publishing Community 20, nos. 1-4 (2009): 79-90. [published in 2010, as part of combined vol. 20, issue 1-4, now published by Brill]
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/095796509x12777334632186
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/2514842/Publishing_in_Africa_Where_Are_We_Now_Part_Two_Accomplishments_and_Failures
"Reviewing Reviews-A Publisher's Perspective." African Research & Documentation, Journal of SCOLMA - the UK Libraries and Archives Group on Africa, no. 104 (2007): 9-13.
Also at (freely accessible)
https://www.academia.edu/2643913/Reviewing_Reviews_-_A_Publishers_Perspective