Are you a creative person? Do you write, dance or act? Then this is your chance to show what you've got and make money from your work. The PlayPen app is seeking for the following:

1. Well written novels of between 25 and 30 thousand words in any genre except pornography. Stories must be set in Africa and primarily about African characters except in other world stories such as fantasies and science fiction. Please avoid unnecessary gore and explicit and deviant sexual content. Collections of short stories and iIlustrated stories are acceptable.

2. Motivational, self-help and how-to books that are well researched, practicable and well written. 25-30 thousand words. Content must be applicable to real life.

3. Well produced short movies or dance drama productions of between 30 and 40 minutes length. Fresh, independent productions are encouraged and welcome (not necesarily Nollywod artists). Comedy, drama, epic and cultural settings etc are all welcome.

4. Digital editions of weekly magazines on diverse themes. Editors/publishers and their team will be responsible for producing weekly editions of the magazines. Magazines do not have to be in print circulation. New and previously unpublished concepts for magazines are encouraged and welcome. Illustrated magazines are also acceptable.

Notes
1. A primary requirement for novels, books, magazines and movies is that they be upbeat, entertaining, interesting, and (as appropriate) educative.
2. No political, racial or religious and any other form of profiling and/or bashing is allowed.
3. Only original content is acceptable. No plagiarized materials please. Authors, editors, publishers and producers must ensure materials submitted to the PlayPen app are original content only. Violations will be vehemently prosecuted.
4. All materials accepted and used will be paid for.
5. Authors, producers, publishers and owners retain copy and other rights. We are interested in the right to use for a specified period of time.
6. Authors, producers, publishers and owners remain independent i.e. you are not working for us but for yourself.
7. If you have an idea that you think might fit but are not sure, than talk to us. Creativity is our niche and we'll work with you to see how your idea could fit.

Interested persons should email: playthronex@gmail.com with a brief about their content for more details.

Africa Unpublished is an ongoing project which will be hosted on a website with same name. The project is the brainchild of Kudakwashe Dhoro, a Zimbabwean bookpreneur who has identified the need for unpublished African writers to be heard and read. The website is a platform for the presentation and showcasing of hitherto unpublished African literary works, from both established as well as budding writers. Writers will be re quired to create free accounts on the portal and they will create a profile that will among other things allow them to give a brief background of who they are, their style and genre, give titles of previously published work and have such options as work in progress, ask for collaboration and mentorship. Membership will be free and each writer will have their own writing portfolio, and with time, there will be a community that will exchange writing tips via various fora, thus providing writers with the opportunity to meet and bond with fresh creative minds. It is envisioned that every quarter, a panel of literature experts will review submissions (sample chapters and overviews of the whole book or poetry projects) and select a set number that they will incubate. The website itself is designed to act as an incubation hub for writers, providing them with guidance and mentorship, helping them develop their craft, raise their profile and, ultimately get publishers to notice their work. The site will also have an option for content creators (film or TV) to scout for and buy screenplay ideas, through a separate registration process. This will allow for the creation of a “one-stop shop” for African writers, publishers, content seekers and the general reading populace.
www.africaunpublished.com will also act as a social or community network for published and unpublished African writers of all skill levels and readers who are seeking new and innovative literature. Readers and publishers will be afforded an opportunity to discover new authors who will be able to share their work, gain recognition, and connect with their readers and each other.
Writers will be able to:
• Post excerpts of their work.
• Receive and respond to feedback from the community.
• Be selected for mentorship by other established writers and academics.
• Receive guidance on self-publishing and marketing of their work.
• Submit links to creative writing published elsewhere.

Readers will be able to:
• Give feedback and critique excerpts submitted by the writers.
• Comment on what they would have read.
• Become fans and buy published works by the authors who are members of the community.
• Communicate, interact with and support their preferred writers.

In addition, there will be pages and forums where volunteer specialists will provide workshops and courses on the art of writing and detailed reviews of selected stories. According to Kudakwashe Dhoro, the goal of Africa Unpublished is to provide writers with an easy way to publish and promote their work and to afford readers and publishers access to new and novel creative writing that is easily accessible on any devices capable of connecting to the internet. It also ties in well with our government’s push to promote innovation through the creation of incubation hub, it is what one might call a virtual incubation hub which has the potential to nurture new writing talent and make African literature more accessible to the whole world.