1. submitting for publication
Are you ‘hip’? What about ‘happening’?
We’re pretty sure we’re neither – but we didn’t let that stop us! And, we don’t want the ‘hip’ or lack thereof, to slow you down in telling stories. So let’s break it down…ah 1, ah 2, ah 1 – 2 – 3:
What we’re actively looking for:
Short Stories, Poetry, Prose, Drama, Comics (and other graphic arts), Photography, Art, and Mixed Media works – if you’ve got something that doesn’t quite fit here PLEASE submit it anyway, you could be the next Tarrentino.
… get ready for the backup dancers –
Guidelines:
You’ve got 10 – 30 pages. Stun us with your genius.
Creating is hard enough, submitting shouldn’t be.
Need some gridlines as well?
- Language? If not in English please provide an accurate and empathetic translation.
- Word Count? Do your worst (within the page limit) and we’ll match your energy.
- Copyright? You own your work – no ifs, ands or buts.
- Paid? If your work is accepted contracts will be negotiated to suit both parties. Cha-ching.
- Simultaneous Submissions? Yes, just give us a head’s up if it get’s accepted elsewhere.
2.competitions
We know you’re competitive – well, as competitive as terminally shy introverts can be – so keep up to date for your next big ego boost.
Upcoming:
Springs Literary Festival School’s Competition.
More details coming soon…
3.partnerships & Collabs
Friends? Please be our friend.
We’re obsessed with brainstorming – and we mean THUNDERSTORM levels of brainstorming. Why? Because we have so much access to so many things and we’re not using them; gosh that’s frustrating! Storytelling can be whatever we want it to be, and we want it to be much more than it is.
Sound airy fairy? Here’s our latest collaboration to burst your raincloud!
July 2025 – Original soundtrack, by artist Ayomush, to our first published Short Story.
We’ve got goals for giving back, and this year was only the beginning.
February 2025 – Food Program: Eid Meal Drive in Lawley, GAU; with FMYO.
4.language & learning
Language and Education are a priority for us. What, no clever joke? Nope – not for this one.
Well then…ahem.
We have no DNA, just RSA – and RSA has twelve official languages. We want to tell stories in all of them, and we want everyone to be able to benefit from them.
Our 2030 Goal: To publish our first full length novel with translation.
This takes a lot of finesse, so we’re going to be building a dream team of syntax sycophants, multilingual lobsters, and empathetic interpreters that will make sure we are telling real stories respectfully.
We don’t only want to protect these unique voices, we want to talk to people in their own mother tongue. That’s what RSA sounds like to us.
In the meantime, we’ve got projects along the way:
September 2025 – ‘Create your own voice’ : a zine workshop by Leilah Bhyat @Springs Literary Festival.
5.The paper mill
Dastan is run by a bunch of hippies…sort of…well, maybe not in the psychedelic sense, but definitely in the ‘flower power’ sense.
We order our paper on demand – to save the trees. Duh.
Our first Publication, The Messenger’s Favourite Colour Was Green, is printed on more than 80% recycled paper, and is hand-sewn in Johannesburg. But more than this – it’s printed with different paper combinations, according to what is readily available from our supplier. Check inside the back cover for details on the paper used to make your copy!
But we plan on making our own paper by 2028!
We’ve only got one planet, and we have got to live on it – but, we really really reaaaaaaaallllllyyyyyyyyyy love books. So, The Paper Mill is our way of making sure we’re not taking advantage of Mother Earth.
In addition to this, The Paper Mill is set to create jobs in an underprivileged community in South Africa; telling stories, preserving languages and the environment, and supporting our fellow countrymen (and women). Local is Lekker and we’re kicking that Ubuntu spirit.