Open Book Festival

23/07/2025

URGENT UPDATE: Open Book Festival Needs Your Help

We're deeply grateful for the community support received since our appeal last week. So far we have raised R104 177.23 towards our R500 000 goal.

Recent government funding decisions have confirmed the severity of our crisis: The Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport department has now confirmed support of just over R55,000 – a fraction of the R300,000 originally applied for. Meanwhile, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has completely cut funding to Open Book Festival, after many years, including R700,000 in 2024. We can no longer rely on government support.

These voices from our festival family show exactly what's at stake. Open Book isn't just an event - it's where art heals, where strangers become friends, where difficult conversations happen, and where writers and readers find their community.

Every contribution matters. Every share helps. Please support us if you can, or share with someone who might.

Link: https://booklounge.co.za/product/open-book-crowdfunding/

16/07/2025

For years we have spoken about our belief that Open Book is not owned by us – it is owned by all those who contribute to making it an inclusive, vibrant festival that consists of incredibly important and difficult conversations and serves to highlight some of the fantastic writing coming out of South Africa (and beyond).

We now need that collective ownership to take on a financial element. Your investment in the festival will not bring you dividends or shares, but what it will bring is the knowledge that the festival that you love and in whose value you believe will continue to exist.

Many organisations face funding crises right now and we unfortunately find ourselves in that position. We have been partly reliant on support from different levels of Government since the inception of Open Book, and there is still, so close to this year’s September festival, no clarity about the applications we have made to the Western Cape or National Government.

If you see value in Open Book, please consider contributing by clicking below:
https://booklounge.co.za/product/open-book-crowdfunding/

For any sponsorship queries, please contact [email protected]

01/07/2025

Catch an interview with Frankie Murrey in the latest edition of Doek!

She discusses the process of organising Open Book Festival, as well her collection of short stories, with Doek! editor, author and participant in this year’s festival, Rémy Ngamije.

“It was more like sneaking up on myself.” — Literatea with Frankie Murray about festival organisation and creative writing.

20/06/2025

📚✨ Two brilliant sessions from our Open Book Festival Workshop Week are now available to watch on YouTube!

These skill-sharing workshops guide you through every step of your publishing journey. Learn not just how to get your work published, but how to effectively market your book once it's out in the world.

Our expert speakers share invaluable industry knowledge, practical tips, and real-world experience to help you navigate the publishing landscape with confidence. Whether you're a first-time author or looking to expand your reach, these sessions offer the tools you need to succeed.

🎥🔗 Watch on our channel, links below. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your writing career to the next level!

From Manuscript to Bookshelf | Publishing: https://youtu.be/mnLNxtWB--I
From Manuscript to Bookshelf | The Next Steps
https://youtu.be/v0NIamE-lu8

06/06/2025

Days 4 and 5 of Workshop Week brought such incredible variety! From creating mini graphic memoirs with Karen Vermeulen, to crafting our own calligraphy pens with Adil Jacobs of Kapaadie Co., plus essential industry sessions on publishing journeys with Mbali Sikakana, Stevlyn Vermeulen and Karina Szczurek, and book marketing insights from Aoife Lennon-Ritchie, Jean-Marie Korff and Mervyn Sloman.

The blend of creative workshops and practical industry knowledge is what makes Workshop Week so special! 🖋️📚 Final events coming up tomorrow - secure your tickets via Webtickets! Click through via our website.
https://openbookfestival.co.za/festival-programme/

05/06/2025

Days 2 and 3 of Workshop Week have been absolutely incredible! From creating zines with Mandy J Watson and Danielle Albertyne, to exploring loss and healing through writing with Giles Griffin, to vital conversations about q***r safety with the brilliant Maneo Mohale and Lwando Scott. The depth and diversity of these workshops showcase exactly why Open Book Festival is so special. ✊📖

We're only halfway through - plenty more transformative events still to come! Book via Webtickets, click through from our website.
https://openbookfestival.co.za/festival-programme/

03/06/2025

Workshop Week is off to a brilliant start!

We gathered to explore flash fiction, creative non-fiction, and the fascinating tensions between memoir and fiction. The creative energy in these intimate workshops is absolutely electric - there's nothing quite like watching stories come to life in real time. ✍️📚

There's still 6 days of inspiring events ahead - don't miss out! Book your spot via Webtickets.

https://openbookfestival.co.za/festival-programme/

01/06/2025

Workshop Week begins tomorrow! We can't wait to welcome you to this celebration of writing, creativity and community. You can still book your place via Webtickets, or click though from our website.

https://openbookfestival.co.za/festival-programme/

Open Book Youth Fest 2025 is coming soon - Watch this space or signup for our newsletter!

31/05/2025

Only a couple more days until Workshop Week kicks off!

Our heartfelt thanks to all our partners and sponsors who helped make this week of writing, skill sharing and community building possible.
The Heinrich Boll Foundation
The City of Cape Town
Bertha Spaces and Bertha Retreat
Jonathan Ball Publishers
NB-Uitgewers/Publishers
Pan Macmillan South Africa
Karavan Press
The Life Righting Collective
Ikamva Youth
Youth Capital
Littlegig
The Book Lounge

If you'd like to be a part of what we do, please reach out to us. We are always looking to grow our community.

29/05/2025

🏞️ Something special brewing in the mountains...

We're launching our inaugural Writers Retreat in collaboration with Bertha Retreat, featuring optional sessions with the talented Toni Giselle Stuart. This intimate, closed gathering marks what we hope will be the first of many creative retreats.

Sometimes the best stories are born in quiet spaces. 📝🏔️

27/05/2025

🌟 Investing in tomorrow's voices!

We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Ikamva Youth and Youth Capital for a special three-part youth-focused workshop during Workshop Week. As with Youth Fest, Wisani Mushwana will once again be part of facilitating this vital workshop. This closed session reflects our deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of South African writers and storytellers. The future of literature is in capable hands! 📚✨

26/05/2025

We're just one week away from Workshop Week 2025!

Final preparations are underway to welcome you to a week of creativity, learning, skill sharing and community. Book your tickets now via Webtickets or click through from our website!
https://openbookfestival.co.za/festival-programme/

Enjoy a few highlights from last year.