LAPA bags distribution and sales rights:

Catalyst Press and Story Press Africa

LAPA Publishers is proud to announce that we have acquired the exclusive rights to sell and distribute titles published by the US-based Catalyst Press in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Books published under the Catalyst Press and Story Press Africa imprints will be included for distribution.

Catalyst Press is an independent publishing company founded in 2017. They seek to publish books that reveal the world from different perspectives, tilting, reversing or tweaking our own understanding of what’s real, true, necessary, or beautiful.

Catalyst Press’ publishing program will emphasize books emerging from the African continent. They aim to publish literature that exposes the truth and pursues justice and peace.

LAPA Publishers is honoured to bring these stories home to our own continent. We will cherish these books as our own and distribute them with the same professional care as we do with books published by LAPA.

The first books that will go on sale in September under the new agreement are:

• The Lion’s Binding Oath and Other Stories, a collection of short stories by the Somalia-born Ahmed Ismail Yusuf,
• And Shaka Rising, a graphic novel by Luke W. Molver about the early life and leadership of Shaka, the regaled Zulu.

Both books can be ordered from bestellings@lapa.co.za, or by phoning 012 401 0700.

Izak de Vries, LAPA’s manager: marketing and communications, is on hand to answer questions. His email address is izakd@lapa.co.za and his phone number is 083 501 2170.

 

Fiction

Al wat oorbly

Santie van der Merwe

9780799390322

R265.00

We all know the story of an evil stepmother. What will happen to Julia Meiring when she is forced to become a stepmother? Her reflections on her past life, with a stepmother who seemed to never to have loved her, and her discoveries of the truth about her mother will be the deciding factors for her delicate relationship with Wynand du Toit. Al wat oorbly is Santie van der Merwe’s sixth novel and it investigates the true nature of complicated relationships.

 

The Lion’s Binding Oath and Other Stories

Ahmed Ismail Yusuf

9781946395078

R220.00

This collection of short stories, written by the Somali author Ahmed Ismail Yusuf, takes the reader into the heart of the Somali caste system. If one has read Arundhati Roy, one would know about the devastation caused by civil wars that had had their roots in a system of casts and religion. But how many people know of the events on our continent that are so chillingly similar?

These stories are deceptively simple. They combine folk tales with everyday events – boys and girls who develop crushes, boys who play soccer and girls who adore poetry… Yet, underneath these storylines lies a web of inter- and intratextual references that combine seemingly haphazard narratives into a tightly-knit unity.

The first story is of a boy who has to face up to wild animals in order to protect his family’s goats and sheep. Then the scene changes: We are transported into the heart of the ongoing caste system in Somalia and we experience first-hand how people conduct themselves worse than any predator ever would, for the ills in Somali society gave way to a civil war that to this day has not been resolved. The stories remain personal, though: A mother tries to save her twin boys on the eve of Somalia’s collapsed state; a newlywed woman tries to save her sister from being raped by soldiers…

Yet, despite the horrors, the author finds beauty in simple, everyday moments. Boys and girls still fall in love. A teacher who has endured the shameful legacy of her outcast heritage encourages a young scholar to understand Somali poetry.

Ahmed Yusuf does not shy away from tragedy, instead he explores both the human limits of endurance and the human limits of love.

Somali folklore flows freely in and out of the fibres of these stories.

In the last story a boy, who flees from the civil war, befriends a lion. Not only does it complete the story cycle, it yet again draws on an old folktale.

Ahmed Ismail Yusuf’s simple narratives belie the fact that he is a masterful storyteller. This book is a must for all those who have appreciated Arundhati Roy’s novel The ministry of utmost happiness.

In the United States The Lion’s Binding Oath and Other Stories has already been awarded a Kirkus Star, one of the highest honours a book can receive in the USA.

Children and Young Adults

Shaka Rising: Legend of a Warrior Prince

Author and Illustrator: Luke W. Molver

Age: High-school learners to adults

9781946498984

R180,00

This full-colour graphic novel places Shaka’s rule against the slave trade that was expanding from the East African coast, and the Europeans spreading inland from the south. It draws on the recent research of Prof. Dan Wylie and explores the rise to power of a shrewd young prince who had to consolidate a new kingdom through warfare, mediation, and political alliances in order to defend his people against the expanding slave trade.

All the research is expertly repackaged by the young South African graphic novelist Luke Molver and co-author Mason O’Connor.

Molver explains: “I believe that people are inherently the same: we feel the same emotions, burn under the same sun and bleed the same red. Shaka Rising is an epic tale set in a different age, but its characters and themes are as familiar to us as sibling rivalry, the heartache of a lost love, or simply a yearning to belong. It is as much a coming-of-age tale as it is a saga of war and politics.”

Molver lives in Durban. He says: “I was misled to think I knew the significance of the tale I was taking on. I was, like most, only familiar with pop-culture’s Shaka Zulu: a warrior prince, violent and terrific. I knew very little of the nuanced and complex figure whose legacy has shaped South African history. I was to learn not only the immensity of Shaka’s influence on warfare, but also his ground-breaking innovations in politics and leadership.

“Graphic novels are the ultimate medium of communication, education and entertainment. And, if one considers the ancient cave paintings of San bushmen, sequential art has roots in Africa. So, Shaka Rising is the ultimate portrayal of our history; visceral, visual and informative. I look forward to sharing its significance with the wider world.”

Story Press Africa is a proudly South African imprint. This book has recently been launched in the USA to much acclaim and LAPA is proud to help present it to South African audiences through our distribution agreement.

As mens geluk kon proe

Zelda Bezuidenhout

13+

9780799389470

R175,00

Arnelia tries to re-invent her life when she has to move from Cape Town to Potchefstroom with her mother. It all falls apart when, soon, she realises that it is not so easy to adapt in the new school. But Dewald is doing strange things to her heart and it is not only about the scrumptious food he prepares, maybe the smile…

Keshia Davids, superheld

Alesha Dixon

Illustrasies: Pe Grigo

9+

9780799388763

R150,00

There is truly nothing special about Keshia Davids. Her hair is wild and she can’t even do a proper cartwheel. Everything changes when she is confronted by someone who is bullying her little sister. Light flashes from her fingers and she discovers that there is a family secret about her mom, who fights crime as a superhero across the world. This book has everything: Superheroes, family, peer pressure, bullying and a superstar author!

Sanri Steyn: Die rustelose mummie

Theresa van Baalen

Illustrasies: Johann Strauss

9+

9780799383850

R125,00

Sanri Steyn’s dream to become a world-renowned journalist is challenged when she decides to do a story about a mummy on exhibition in the town’s museum. Her nose starts to tingle, and that usually means that there is a big story to write about. Is the mummy really alive?

Stalmaats: Omnibus 1

Lize Roux

9+

9780799389326

R185,00

Five of our top-selling Stalmaats books have been bound into one volume. Now you can buy these stories at a mind-boggling low price. Anri’s stories of friends, family and horses are very popular and have been awarded the ATKV prizes for children’s literature in 2007 and 2008.

Helde van Suid-Afrika 2

Wendy Maartens

Illustrasies: Alex van Houwelingen

7+

9780799389210

R125,00

Building on the success of Helde van Suid-Afrika 1, Wendy Maartens continues her mission to educate the children of today about the heroes of our past. Maartens writes in an easy, accessible Afrikaans and keeps the stories effortless. In this publication you can learn about Sultan (a heroic dog), the Westdene bus tragedy of 1985, Hector Pieterson, John Ross, The City Deep Mine tragedy and Klara Majola.

Dierehotel Omnibus

Kate Finch

Illustrasies: John Steven Gurney

7+

9780799389555

R155,00

Three of the much-loved stories from an animals-only hotel are now bound into one affordable omnibus. A must have for every little animal lover.

Professor Fungus en die gekloonde konyn

Jaco Jacobs

Illustrasies: Johann Strauss

7+

9780799389234

R115,00

Professor Fungus has a problem when one of his inventions, which leads to an even bigger problem with cloning. Soon they end up with a bunny catastrophe.

Professor Fungus en die onsigbare skurk

Jaco Jacobs

Illustrasies: Johann Strauss

7+

9780799389227

R115,00

What will happen after a thief gets hold of Professor Fungus’ invention of a formula that can make you disappear? How will they apprehend an invisible criminal?

 

  Nonfiction

 

Beatrix says: Master Tunisian Crochet

Beatrix Snyman

9780799367485

R285,00

Tunisian crochet is a very old crochet technique that has made a huge comeback. This popular art form used to be synonymous with thick, heavy blankets, but nowadays crochet fans break away from this traditional style and experiment with exciting new stitches and techniques. Tunisian crochet now consists of beautiful lacey patterns, interesting forms and colourful designs!

Beatrix says: Master Tunisian Crochet is a comprehensive guide that will teach you this amazing craft step by step. With the help of stunning full-colour photos you will master about 40 different stitches and other crochet tricks.

Beatrix says: Master Tunisian Crochet will teach you:

• How to use different hooks for Tunisian crochet
• How to read patterns and understand diagrams
• The meaning of abbreviations and symbols
• How to spot and fix problems
• How to make 40 different stitches

• How to incorporate colours and forms

 

Romanza and RomanzaLiefde

Dans met my

Cynthia Robertson

9780799390353

R225.00

Marinda is a writer who tragically lost her adrenaline junkie fiancé, Lukas, in a motorcycle accident. She soon meets an exact copy of Lukas in Markus after they both recently discovered their partners’ infidelity. Will they be able to be together despite the fear of ‘not being enough’ that stems from the hurt both parties had to endure through infidelity?

 

Net myne

Susan Olivier

9780799390162

R90,00

Nadia has her heart set on an ordinary guy. She wants stability and reckons he will provide it. Human, however, shakes her believes. Will he merely provide temporary excitement or is he the One?

 

Reg vir my

Marilé Cloete

9780799390193

R90,00

Of course, Henk Rademeyer would not fancy her – she is like an inconspicuous little cysticla but for her thick-rimmed glasses, and she isalways carrying a book under her arm. Henk is just like rest of the world’s men, thinks Essie. She is in for a huge surprise when Cupid becomes involved!

 

Krummelpap in Parys

Ciska Olivier

9780799390223

R90,00

Christelle has always had the luxury of choice when it comes to men and has no shortage of self-confidence. For the first time in her life, however, she can’t have what she so badly wants: Michael le Grange!

 

Ridder van haar hart

Madelein Stoltz

9780799390254

R90,00

Lorenzo Esposito will not accept ‘no’ for an answer. Shaylee has to marry him, then her deceased sister’ and his deceased brother’s daughter, Amy, will have a home. It’s a simple business agreement … until Shaylee develops feelings.

 

Reënmeisie

Nerine le Roux

E-Pub @ LAPA Uitgewers: https://bit.ly/2n71BGi

R29,99

Mobi @ Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LM2F18

The Novella:  One rainy evening Klara meets a man with the most stunning eyes. She meets him a second time, while she is working as ‘Jai’ in a Chinese restaurant. Is this a coincidence or fate? Regardless, Ben understands her heart’s language.

The bonus short story: Sayeed has met the woman of his dreams, but now he must introduce her to the other woman in his life, his mother. He hopes this will not mean the end of their relationship.

Nog altyd jy

Madelein Stoltz

E-Pub @ LAPA Uitgewers: https://bit.ly/2OGtL7I

R29,99

Mobi @ Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LUMSwi

The novella: Sidonie must start over in the Cape of Storms. Thanks to Aubin. He betrayed her family, but everything that attracts a man and woman to each other consists between them. She guards her heart, but her love for Aubin keeps growing.

The bonus short story: It’s the day before Valentine’s Day. Mandie barely has time to comb her hair, even less time to worry about why James, her husband of more than a decade, does not pay attention to her. She especially has no time or desire to wonder if James’s forgetfulness has two long legs and a sexy body.