Guidelines  

Home of Voices That Matter.

Do you have a story rooted in truth, transformation, and South African spirit? At The Mahoko House, we don’t just publish books—we ignite movements, elevate voices, and give meaning to words that matter.

We are currently accepting submissions in select nonfiction and educational genres. Please read the guidelines below carefully before submitting.

 What We Publish

We proudly publish in the following genres:

• South African Non-fiction:
  Biography, memoir, business, politics, history, and military history
• Children’s & Young Adult Literature:
  Illustrated stories, educational titles, ready manuscripts in indigenous languages
• Educational & Academic:
  Researched and completed works across various disciplines
• Short Stories & Novellas
• Motivational Works (must be thoroughly researched and complete)
• South African Illustrated Titles (art, culture, learning-based)

We publish only in English and South African Indigenous Languages.

What We Do NOT Publish

Please note that we do not consider manuscripts in the following genres:

• Coffee-table books or photo portfolios
• Poetry (currently closed)
• Science fiction or fantasy
• Plays or film scripts
• Religious, natural history, lifestyle, food, or wildlife books
• Erotic Fiction of any kind (until further notice)
• Self-published titles (we do not offer distribution or marketing for these)

Submissions outside these categories will not be considered or acknowledged.

How to Submit Your Manuscript

To ensure your submission receives proper consideration, please follow the instructions below. Incomplete or non-compliant submissions will be discarded without notice.

Please include the following in your email:

1. A 200–300-word summary of your manuscript
2. Your contact details
3. Three sample chapters (or full manuscript if available)
4. A full table of contents (chapter list)
5. A short biography including:
• Relevant qualifications
• Previous publications (if any)
6. Optional but helpful:
• Comparable books or similar titles
• Estimated manuscript word count or total pages
• Timeline: When will the full manuscript be ready?
• For illustrated submissions: A portfolio of your work (as email attachments or cloud links)

Our Review Process

We receive a high volume of submissions. Please allow 2–3 months for a response. If your manuscript matches our vision, a member of our editorial team will contact you. Due to the volume of proposals, only successful applicants will be contacted.

Where to Send Your Submission

Please send your proposal to:
submissions@themahokohouse.co.za

Do not send submissions to any other Mahoko House email or staff member—this may delay or disqualify your application.

Why Publish With Us?

At The Mahoko House, we don’t chase trends—we craft legacies. We amplify stories with depth, cultural relevance, and the power to shift minds and inspire futures.

If you’re ready to publish something purposeful, powerful, and proudly African, this is your home.