Publish good writing
Fiction, poetry and book reviews, read in one place and kept in your own library.
About ZenPens
Where stories find their people.
ZenPens is a home for writers of every level and craft, and for the readers who love what they write. We read closely, give real feedback, and publish fiction, poetry and book reviews from Africa and beyond.
Since 22 November 2018
How it began
The idea came in 2016, when I was at university. I wanted a place where I could read and write the kind of stories I love, and I wanted it to belong to everyone who felt the same. I imagined a hub for writers and readers, with room for every level and every craft.
The first attempt was called Golden Pens. It did not last. School was heavy and life got in the way.
I graduated in 2018 and went back to the idea, this time determined that it would survive. We rebranded as ZenPens, and on 22 November 2018 it officially began. I started reaching out to writers, and it became clear very quickly that many of them were looking for exactly this kind of home, a place to write, get good feedback and grow.
- 2016The idea, and the first try, Golden Pens.
- 2018ZenPens officially begins on 22 November.
- TodayPenned, our monthly prompt contest, writers across Africa and beyond, and a new home online.
What the years have shown us
Writers from many countries in Africa and beyond have been part of the community, and a good number have gone on to do bigger things.
- Manyhave won writing contests
- Severalhave published books
- Onenow has her own magazine
What we do
Review every piece
We give a detailed review, with suggestions for improvement, on every piece we receive, whether we publish it or not.
Run a writing community
Prompts, feedback and Penned, our monthly prompt contest, together in the Writer’s Community.
A new home
ZenPens eight years on has been through many hurdles and trying times, and I am glad it has survived and still thrives. This site is a fresh start, built to be safer and better.
ZenPens once had another website. We have left it behind, and it is no longer run by us. Many writers from Nigeria and across Africa shared remarkable work there, and they are part of why we came back. You can read our note about it here.
Who runs ZenPens
Somtoo Celestine Ezioha
Founder and runs ZenPens
Come and be part of it
Read, write, or just say hello.