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Call for submissions: Creative non-fiction anthology – ‘A Slice of Life’

Pan Macmillan South Africa invites emerging and established South African writers to submit short, original, and unpublished creative non-fiction for our upcoming anthology, themed A Slice of Life.

Everyday South African urban street scene depicting ordinary lived experience for Pan Macmillan's Slice of Life anthology.

We're looking for stories rooted in ordinary, lived experiences: small, specific, everyday scenes that hold emotional weight and cultural meaning.

About the project: A platform for lived experiences

Pan Macmillan South Africa is committed to publishing writers who do not always find their way onto the commercial bookshelf.

This initiative honours a literary lineage tracing back to Ravan Press (founded in 1972) and its pioneering literary magazine Staffrider (launched in 1978). Historically, Staffrider provided community members, frontline witnesses and first-time writers a vehicle for authentic storytelling. With this anthology, we continue that tradition by carving out dedicated space for fresh, emerging talent alongside seasoned voices, giving South African creative non-fiction the platform and readership it commands.

What we're looking for

We are seeking slice-of-life creative non-fiction. Your story does not major plot twists, dramatic life lessons or cinematic ‘aha!’ moments. Give us the small, specific everyday scenes that hold weight and meaning: an amusing exchange in a taxi, an awkward family meal or an ordinary experience that is quietly powerful. Focus on strong scene-building and real dialogue as well as honest details and observations.

Importantly, stories must be personal, autobiographical or observational non-fiction based on real events and real people.

Everyday coastal scene along a South African beach promenade for Pan Macmillan's Slice of Life creative non-fiction anthology.

Manuscript submission guidelines

Please review our submission requirements carefully before uploading your manuscript:

  1. Submissions must be between 1,500 and 4,000 words. 
  2. All entries must be original, unpublished works. You must also declare that the work is your own intellectual property. Because this anthology celebrates authentic, lived human experiences, submissions must be written entirely by you. We do not accept stories written or co-written using generative AI tools.
  3. Document formatting:
    • Acceptable file types: .doc and .docx only (no PDFs).
    • Standard manuscript formatting: 12pt clean legible font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Georgia), double-spaced, standard 1-inch margins.
    • Include the story title and total word count at the top of page 1.
  4. Only one submission per person. Multiple entries from the same author will be disqualified.
  5. Complete the official submission intake form (link below) before midnight on 16 November 2026.
Submit your work here

Due to the high volume of anticipated submissions, individual feedback cannot be provided. If you have not received correspondence from our editorial team by 31 January 2027, please consider that your submission has not been selected for this project.

Top-down aerial view of a community park playground for Pan Macmillan South Africa’s ‘A Slice of Life’ non-fiction anthology.