On this episode, I speak with Accord Literary about publishing in Africa, writing for young readers, and the 2023 Authors and Illustrators Creative Retreat in Accra, Ghana.

In this interview, Sarah Odedina speaks of her experience as a publisher, mentor and nurturer, and the importance of publishing African voices.

Accord Literary is a venture designed to develop, mentor and support writers based in Africa, writing books for young readers. Their mission is to find original and unique voices and get their book into the hands of readers around the world. 

Sarah Odedina has worked in publishing for over three decades and most of that time concentrated on books for young readers. She was the Publisher of Bloomsbury Books for 14 years and worked with authors J K Rowling, Neil Gaiman and Louis Sachar amongst many others. Sarah started the YA list Hot Key Books and is now Editor at Large for Pushkin Press in London as well as a director of Accord Literary an agency that mentors and works with emerging writers in sub-Saharan Africa writer for children and Young Adults. 

Books Mentioned:

Crossing the Stream by Elizabeth-Irene Baithe

Even When Your Voice Shakes by Ruby Yayra Goka

All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri