Exciting Lineup Update: Karen Jennings Joins Books on the Bay

Mar 10, 2025 | News

We’re delighted to announce that acclaimed South African author Karen Jennings will be joining Books on the Bay for a special session on Sunday, 16 March at 09h00 in the Town Hall. Jennings, whose novel An Island was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize and has been translated into 17 languages, will be in conversation with writer and academic Elleke Boehmer.

Jennings is a powerful voice in contemporary African literature. Her latest novel, Crooked Seeds, has been met with high praise and is currently longlisted for both the Women’s Prize and the Republic of Consciousness Prize. She is also the co-founder of The Island Prize for Debut African Novels and co-author of Words on the Page: Workbook for African Writers, a free resource supporting emerging voices from the continent.

We’re thrilled to welcome her to the festival and look forward to an insightful discussion about her work, the themes of exile and belonging, and her dedication to uplifting African writers.

📅 Sunday, 16 March
🕘 09h00 – 10h00
📍 Town Hall

Join us for this not-to-be-missed conversation! Tickets are available via Webtickets.

Books on the Bay 2025: Friday 14th to Sunday 16th March – The Countdown to Magic Begins!