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Penned in Rage Literary Journal

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Read an e-Copy

of Soil Unfurling from Stem

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Edition 4:

Pennedin Rage

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Edition 1:

Penned in Rage

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Book Reviews

by Bridgette James

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Edition 2:

Penned in Rage

Reading a Book

Published Stories

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Edition3:

Penned in Rage

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Read This Month's Poem

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The anthology, Soil Unfurling from Stem, edited by British Sierra Leonean writer, Bridgette O James, opens with the winning entry from the 2025 poetry competition, ‘Prayer’ penned by the widely published poet: Osahon Oka (pictured). The book title comes from a line in his outstanding poem. Nigerian, Mr Oka is a Pushcart nominee whose poems have appeared in journals and magazines like Sontag Magazine, Kinpaurak, Poetry Sango-Ota, Feral Poetry, and elsewhere. He won the Visual Verse Autumn Writing Prize, 2022.

NEWS

 Penned in Rage Journal will be a year old in January 2026.

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January - April

Edition

Submit

Poem of the Month

www.ellaspoems.com

Please Click Link.

Poets from sub-Saharan Africa may submit a poem from a pamphlet or chapbook or a previously unpublished poem not exceeding forty lines, (40) for consideration to Mr Osahon Oka by email.

 

The link only lives for a month, following which you are free to resubmit your poem elsewhere.

I do not pay for published work.

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Why We Struggle With Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa

1. Socioeconomic Factors- unaffordability of books -

Earnings and outgoings spent on essentials instead e.g.- grocery shopping, utilities, bills, transportation, healthcare.

Plank Pose

The absence of a love for reading has also negatively impacted on creative pieces, leading to a disproportionate amount of formal or metered poetry being produced and published in the continent.

SUBMIT a Poem, Flash Fiction or Essay - Only One Submission Allowed Per Person Each Quarter, Thank Yo​u. Subscribe First: https://ellaspoems.com/#subscribe-to-penned-in-rage-journal Submit Free of Charge: This Journal Only Features Writers from Sub-Saharan Africa; its Diaspora & Ethnic Minorities. Email Submissions from January 1st - 31st to: pennedinrage@outlook.com Please Address Your Submission to The Editor of Penned in Rage, Chukwuebuka Onyishi

Why the theme outsider?

Repressive policies in African countries have led to certain groups or tribal communities being marginalised, such as gay people, those with Albinism, and individuals who suffer with mental disorders or physical disabilities.

Have you been marginalised?

Misogyny is on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in the United States of America/USA. Anti-abortion laws are being implemented. In 2025, what happens in a woman’s womb is now subjected to government policies.

Are you a woman affected by these policies?

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Anti-Brown sentiments are on the rise. In popular narrative Brown people are being demonised. Far-right politicians have had their views amplified on social media platforms. Visa-bans have been put in place to restrict the movement of certain people. In America and the United Kingdom/UK, distrust of migrants has led to new State policies.

Are you a migrant impacted by these policies?

Islamophobia and anti-Christian sentiment are becoming increasing common. Where do you stand?

Can you practise your religion freely?

Do you feel as if you don’t belong?

Have you recently moved to new neighbourhood/town/country?

 

Censorship: I do not censor your writing, nonetheless, contestants are expected to stay within the jurisdiction of their (African) countries. Please remember that when submitting poems. Don’t oust yourself and risk the venom of homophobic people. In order for your submission to be accepted, you are expected to respect the human rights of all. No hateful poem allowed. Please familiarise yourself with banned words that social groups in the UK might find offensive.

Thanks for reading.

Good luck.

I’m pleased to announce that head judge for the 2026 poetry competition is Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto.

Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto is a PhD candidate in Creative Writing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he is also a teaching assistant. He holds a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature.

Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto is the author of a collection of poems: The Naming (University of Nebraska Press, 2025) and the chapbook: The Teenager Who Became My Mother.

https://www.chinuaezenwa-ohaeto.com/

Photo: Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto

I’m pleased to announce that the 2025 poetry champion will serve as a member of the judging panel in 2026.

Osahon Oka is an English Language and Literary Studies graduate. He is a Pushcart nominee too, whose poems have appeared in journals and magazines like Sontag Magazine, Kinpaurak, Poetry Sango-Ota, Feral Poetry, and elsewhere. His poems have won numerous awards such as The Kukogho Iruesiri Samson Poetry Prize (2nd Place), and the Visual Verse Autumn Writing Prize, 2022.

Photo: Osahon Oka

I’m pleased to announce that Dr Jive Lubbungu will serve as a member of the judging panel in 2026.

Zambian Dr Jive Lubbungu, a PhD Lit., MA Lit., MBA -Project Management, Cert. -Monitoring & Evaluation, Cert. Project Consultancy, Cert.- Climate Change AI Lecturer, Author, and Researcher, Assistant Dean Postgraduate - School of Humanities and Social Sciences He currently lectures at the Kwame Nkrumah University, Kabwe, Zambia.

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6562-547x
LinkedIn Link: www.linkedin.com/in/jive-lubbungu-5222157a 
Google Scholar Link: jive lubbungu - Google Scholar 
ResearchGate Link: ResearchGate 
Website: https://www.nkrumah.edu.zm/home/

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Photo: Jive Lubbungu

I’m pleased to announce that Gary W. Bryant will serve as a member of the judging panel in 2026.

 

Gary W. Bryant’s love for storytelling began in Southeastern Kentucky, where he won a creative writing award in high school. He honed his craft at the University of Kentucky under the mentorship of literary greats Gurney Norman and Ed McClanahan. Though his early career led him into journalism, working as a reporter, editor, and magazine editor-in-chief. His passion for fiction never faded. After founding a publishing company focused on marketing and training newsletters, he returned to fiction in 2021. His debut novel, Ace of Hearts, released in July 2022, blends mystery, friendship, and romance. His sequel, Ace Johnson, continues his signature deep character development and compelling storytelling.

https://www.garywbryantbooks.com/

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Photo: Gary W. Bryant

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