Hamish Hamilton to publish paperback edition of Busby's New Daughters of Africa

Hamish Hamilton will publish the new paperback edition of New Daughters of Africa, first released by Myriad in 2019. 

The paperback edition will publish on 25th August. The collection, edited by Margaret Busby, brings together contemporary writing by 200 women writers of African descent. It follows on from her pioneering anthology Daughters of Africa published 30 years ago.  

Hamish Hamilton acquired British and Commonwealth paperback and e-book rights, from Myriad, excluding audio, Canada, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, as well as the US, its territories and dependencies, and the Philippines.

Simon Prosser, Hamish Hamilton publisher, said: “No one but Margaret Busby could have made this book happen: a landmark collection, both extraordinary and essential, and so beautifully produced by Myriad. It is a privilege to be able to pick up the baton from Myriad and to welcome the book and the two hundred contributors to Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Books for the next stage of the journey.” 

Candida Lacey, former Myriad publishing director, added: “It has been a highlight of my career to work with Margaret Busby on both anthologies, and to see her win richly deserved acclaim. This handsome new edition will ensure that the words of 200 writers will receive the best possible distribution and widest audience.” 

New Daughters of Africa also seeded a scholarship to support a new generation of women writers of African descent, with help from SOAS University of London and the contributors who waived their fees. The inaugural winner, Idza Luhumyo, has just won the 2022 AKO Caine Prize for African Writing. 

Busby also commented: “What strength there can be in collaboration—as the award so brilliantly demonstrates! Not least the role played by Candida and Myriad, who, by sharing with Penguin this opportunity to showcase the creativity of these extraordinary contributors, have kept true to the spirit behind my compiling New Daughters of Africa, as well as Daughters of Africa 30 years ago.”