King William’s Town-born author Masande Ntshanga has signed an international deal for his acclaimed literary debut
The Reactive and is also shortlisted for several prestigious awards.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Ntshanga said US-based publishing and film company Two Dollar Radio had bought the North American rights to his novel.
“This means the book will be published in the United States. They also bought the film rights, which means they have the option of adapting the novel for the screen.
“I contacted them with the manuscript after having been an admirer of their catalogue for a while,” said Ntshanga.
Ntshanga’s debut novel was released last year through Umuzi, an imprint of Penguin Random House and is centred on three friends who sell ARVs illegally in Cape Town.
It is mainly centred around Lindanathi, the protagonist, who feels both guilty and mournful over the death of his younger brother, in which he had a hand.
The book was centred around the themes of secrecy, substance abuse, family and redemption.
Ntshanga said The Reactive has done well and has earned him nominations in three literature awards.
“I was nominated as a Civitella Ranieri Fellow and I’m travelling to Italy for the fellowship in August.
“Otherwise locally I have been shortlisted for University of Johannesburg debut prize as well as the 2015 Sunday Times Barry Ronge fiction prize,” he said.
The Barry Ronge fiction prize is open to works in English, including those that have been translated.
In 2013, the 28-year-old author won the PEN International New Voices Award for his online short story Space, a story which has since been nominated for a Caine prize.
“It’s an incredible boost, not just for the sake of the book’s exposure, which is great, but also for my own.”
Ntshanga said the South African literature industry could do with more opportunities for young people as they struggle to enter into publishing careers.
“In terms of recognition, though, I feel like we’re at the point where different parts of the world are starting to pay attention to contemporary South African writing, which is a good development.
“Lastly, I’ve always felt that South Africa had enough innovation, but only that it isn’t always represented.
“For example, more experimental writers might publish with smaller houses that don’t have the marketing reach to compete with bigger ones.
“Unfortunately, that also has to do with the readership and how many people have a taste, as well as a demand, for innovative fiction.”
- The Reactive is available at all major bookstores across the country at R180. It’s also available as an ebook on Amazon. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
KWT author seals international deal, up for top awards
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Ntshanga said US-based publishing and film company Two Dollar Radio had bought the North American rights to his novel.
“This means the book will be published in the United States. They also bought the film rights, which means they have the option of adapting the novel for the screen.
“I contacted them with the manuscript after having been an admirer of their catalogue for a while,” said Ntshanga.
Ntshanga’s debut novel was released last year through Umuzi, an imprint of Penguin Random House and is centred on three friends who sell ARVs illegally in Cape Town.
It is mainly centred around Lindanathi, the protagonist, who feels both guilty and mournful over the death of his younger brother, in which he had a hand.
The book was centred around the themes of secrecy, substance abuse, family and redemption.
Ntshanga said The Reactive has done well and has earned him nominations in three literature awards.
“I was nominated as a Civitella Ranieri Fellow and I’m travelling to Italy for the fellowship in August.
“Otherwise locally I have been shortlisted for University of Johannesburg debut prize as well as the 2015 Sunday Times Barry Ronge fiction prize,” he said.
The Barry Ronge fiction prize is open to works in English, including those that have been translated.
In 2013, the 28-year-old author won the PEN International New Voices Award for his online short story Space, a story which has since been nominated for a Caine prize.
“It’s an incredible boost, not just for the sake of the book’s exposure, which is great, but also for my own.”
Ntshanga said the South African literature industry could do with more opportunities for young people as they struggle to enter into publishing careers.
“In terms of recognition, though, I feel like we’re at the point where different parts of the world are starting to pay attention to contemporary South African writing, which is a good development.
“Lastly, I’ve always felt that South Africa had enough innovation, but only that it isn’t always represented.
“For example, more experimental writers might publish with smaller houses that don’t have the marketing reach to compete with bigger ones.
“Unfortunately, that also has to do with the readership and how many people have a taste, as well as a demand, for innovative fiction.”
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