Ancient paths. New literary journeys.
The Sunday Times Literary Awards longlists are out and we are thrilled to have three titles on the Fiction Prize longlist and one on the Non-Fiction Prize longlist!
SALT WATER POOL BOY by PETER-ADRIAN ALTINI
ICE SHOCK by ELLEKE BOEHMER
THE FOURTH BOY by ANDREW ROBERT WILSON
HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE IN THE MOUNTAINS by ROGER LUCEY
Click here for the full longlists:
Congratulations to all longlisted authors!
Exclusive Books Cavendish and Indeed Books invite you to the launch of Jenna Mervis‘s exquisite second collection of poetry, Braided River, on Thursday, 28 May 2026, 5.30 for 6PM.
Our second children’s book is about to launch and we are aiming for the stars! Please join us at Exclusive Books Cavendish for the launch of Nick Clelland’s Farting in Outer Space. Nick will be in conversation with award-winning children’s book author Alex Latimer.
Tuesday, 10 June 2026, 5.30 for 6PM.
The Kingsmead Book Fair always offers a fabulous lineup, and this year is no different. Hosted by the Kingsmead College, the 14th iteration of the annual Book Fair, will be taking place on Saturday, 23 May 2026, from 08h30 to 18h00, in Johannesburg, opposite the Rosebank Gautrain station.
This year, Karavan Press and Indeed Books feature on the children and teen programme:
School Girl or Celebrity? – It’s All Alien to Me!
It’s not easy being a famous television star especially when you must navigate your first day at high school ever! 🌟 As she longs to be a ‘normal’ teen, Lexi James faces school bullies, an online stalker, and family challenges. Through fun activities and discussions, with author Pamela Newham, uncover Lexi’s journey of self-discovery and the importance of friendship in My Three Names. Can Lexi find her true self amidst the chaos? Let’s find out together!
Age: 14+
Blast Off with Laughter!
Join us for an out-of-this-world adventure with Farting in Outer Space by Nick Clelland! This colourful and humorous picture book explores the themes of gender and acceptance, reminding us that girls and boys are all human—and that’s something to celebrate! Get ready for giggles and engaging discussions as we discover how differences can bring us together, one funny fart at a time!
Age: 5+
Watch out also for Anna Stroud and Michael Boyd, who are chairing sessions on the programme for adult readers.
What happens when a book decides to talk – and fart – for itself? Farting in Outer Space turns bathroom humour into laughs while boldly celebrating the freedom to be whoever you are. Joyful, inclusive, and unapologetically funny. It’s a perfect read-aloud for families who want stories that make kids laugh and think.
NICK CLELLAND wrote this book for his daughter, Elizabeth, when she was 4 – she’s 13 now! Nick lives in Cape Town, rides bicycles too much and writes books for all ages.
MARTA PUCCI is an Italian illustrator and designer living in Berlin. She makes books about big topics and tiny tots. When she’s not drawing, she’s near the water, saying hi to every dog she meets.
Publication date: May 2026
ISBN: 978-1-0492-8810-9
Please join us as we celebrate the poetry of Stephen Symons, whose The Algebra of Insignificance won the 2026 Olive Schreiner Prize for Poetry: Wordsworth Books Gardens, 21 May 2026, 5.30 for 6PM.
Together with Cheverells Farm and Liberty Books, we are delighted to invite you to the inaugural Elgin Poetry Festival in the stunning Elgin! Between 24 and 26 July 2026, Cheverells Farm and Liberty Books will be home to a series of events – discussions, readings, a launch and a workshop – celebrating poetry with all poetry lovers. The festival will commence with a Friday night fine dining & poetry evening and continue over the weekend.
18:30 for 19:00 Cheverells Farm: Friday night fine dining & poetry evening, featuring John Maytham reading words by Finuala Dowling.
An unforgettable evening of fine dining and poetry at The Cheverells Farm Shed as we celebrate the launch of the very first Elgin Poetry Festival on Friday, 24 July 2026.
Your ticket includes a welcome drink, delicious canapés, and a beautifully curated three-course meal – all enjoyed alongside a special live poetry reading by John Maytham, who will bring the words of Finuala Dowling to life in an intimate and atmospheric setting.
Proceeds from the ticket sales for this event will go to an NPO in Grabouw called Siphila Sonke. Funds will be donated to their Kids Club, which provides approximately 100 children a place for creative and academic stimulation in a safe and fun environment.
On Saturday we are hosting the following events (for the free events please book your ticket as the numbers are limited):
At The Shed, Cheverells Farm
09:00–10:00 Poetry as Resistance
10:15–11:15 Writing Between Languages
11:30–12:30 Writing What’s Hard
14:00–15:00 The Geography of Poetry
15:15–16:45 OPEN MIC (free event)
At Liberty Books, Peregrine Farm Stall
18:00–19:30 Karavan Press poetry anthology book launch (free event, booking essential)
10:00–13:00 An intimate poetry workshop with Kerry Hammerton and Melissa Sussens.
For visitors wanting to stay in Elgin during the Elgin Poetry Festival weekend, Cheverells Farm offers cosy cottages … soft linens, warm light, and peaceful farm mornings included. From 1 May 2026, book two nights and enjoy your third night on Cheverells Farm.
Slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and savour the simple pleasures of farm life.
The Franschhoek Literary Festival is nearly upon us and what a fabulous programme to look forward to again this year! Taking place between 15 and 17 May 2026, it will host many stunning literary events, with some food and music and other delights thrown into the mix. Three of our writers – DAWN GARISCH, ROGER LUCEY and SHERYL JAMES feature on the programme. Please come and join us for their and many other events. We look forward to celebrating the joy of storytelling with you.
Not all novels move in straight lines. Some fracture, circle or whisper. In this conversation, writers Dawn Garisch (The Consulting Room) and Rémy Ngamije (Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space) join Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane to explore narrative risk, structure, style and why some stories refuse to behave.
Roger Lucey’s music career was silenced by apartheid’s security police. In this intimate performance of songs and storytelling, he reflects on survival, rebuilding and finding his way back to creativity in the Breede River mountains, inspired by his memoir How to Build a House in the Mountains.
South African Paralympian, Sheryl James (Unbridling), has spent her life pushing past boundaries. She joins Africa Melane to reflect on defying expectations, silencing doubt and redefining the limits of human potential.
You are invited to the first Coffee with Karavan Press this year where you can chat to me, Karina, founder and publisher of Karavan Press, and likeminded writers and readers over a cup of coffee – or tea or hot chocolate, of course – about anything related to book-writing-editing-publishing-reading. Karavan Press’s home will be open, and I will be ready to answer your questions and discuss your projects.
No need to RSVP. Just ring the bell between 10AM and 12PM on Saturday, 9 May 2026. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be served. Karavan Press books will be on sale at great prices.
karavanpress.com 