African Literature Today
Founded in 1968 by Heinemann Publishers, London, African Literature Today, is the oldest international journal of African Literature in the world. It began as a twice-annual publication but changed with its fifth issue on “The Novel in Africa” in 1971, to a once-yearly publication. For three decades it was edited by one of the most versatile literary critics of the 20th century, the Sierra Leonean-born Professor Eldred Durosimi Jones. In 2000 when Professor Jones retired as Editor Emeritus, the editorship passed on to Professor Ernest N. Emenyonu whose appointment was held as ‘a very good omen for African Literature’ by Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, and by Africa’s legendary leading novelist, Chinua Achebe as, ‘a most appropriate and logical development, and a very happy event for African Literature.’
As an annual publication, African Literature Today covers single topics and extensive book reviews in each issue. Contributions come from literary scholars and critics all over the world. Topics covered since 2000 are: ALT 24 New Women’s Writing in African Literature (2004), ALT 25 New Directions in African Literature (2006), ALT 26 War in African Literature (2008), ALT 27 New Novels in African Literature (2010), ALT 28 Film in African Literature (2010), ALT 29 Teaching African Literature (2011).
ALT 1—14 were published from London by Heinemann Educational Books and from New York by Africana Publishing Company. ALT 15—25 were published by James Currey Publishers, Oxford and Africa World Press, Trenton, New Jersey. With ALT 26, James Currey Publishers joined Boydell & Brewer Ltd. James Currey /Boydell and Brewer’s North and South American distribution is available through The University of Rochester Press, New York. A Nigerian edition published by Heinemann Educational Books Nigeria (HEBN) was established from Vol 24 onwards. The journal is currently published simultaneously in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States. The Editorial Headquarters of African Literature Today is the University of Michigan-Flint.
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