About TANFWA
Who We Are.
The voice of Tanzania’s academic and non-fiction authors.
A member-driven association supporting the profile, status and rights of authors in Tanzania, through recognition, rights protection and collaboration across the book value chain.
Tanzania Academic and Non-Fiction Writers’ Association
Authors have the power to change society for the better
TANFWA is a Tanzanian national association for authors of general non-fiction works, textbooks and academic works. We believe authors can inspire and influence society, campaigning to end poverty, protect the environment and promote peace and prosperity, and that they have played a significant role in our nation’s social and economic development.
We defend intellectual property rights, promote members’ work and share practical expertise on writing and publishing, so that every author can write, publish and be properly rewarded.
Are you a book writer, editor, illustrator, translator, typesetter, graphic designer or publisher? You belong here.
- Book writers
- Editors
- Illustrators
- Translators
- Typesetters
- Graphic designers
- Publishers
Our vision
A leading organisation supporting academic and non-fiction authorship
To be a member-driven association that supports and develops the profile and status of authors in Tanzania, advocating for the recognition of their works and the protection of their rights.
We do this in collaboration and cooperation with other stakeholders in the book value chain, such as government agencies, publishers, booksellers and libraries.
- Recognition
- Rights protection
- Collaboration
Our mission
Building a strong organisation that responds to authors’ needs
To promote development in academic and non-fiction authorship in Tanzania by advocating for authors’ rights and creating supportive environments for authorship, and to enable all players to direct their own development as creative workers.
- Inform authors of their intellectual property rights and ensure they are properly remunerated for their work.
- Keep good relations with rights-holder bodies and stakeholders to grow a writing and reading society.
- Contribute to Tanzanian culture, heritage and economic and human development through a literate society, supporting writing across the arts, sciences and humanities.
- Encourage authors to write and publish new works of striking relevance, from human rights to social and economic development and the environment.
Our objectives
What TANFWA sets out to do for its members
Eleven commitments guide our programmes, from protecting intellectual property to investing the Association’s revenue for the benefit of members.
Become a Member- Promote and protect the intellectual property rights of members.
- Provide information to all academic and non-fiction authors in Tanzania about their rights.
- Advocate for clear and beneficial professional and legal relationships between authors and publishers in Tanzania.
- Assist authors in negotiating fair publishing contracts.
- Offer general and legal advice and assistance to authors of academic and non-fiction works.
- Promote the personal development of aspiring and emerging academic and non-fiction authors, and offer guidance in all aspects of such writing.
- Liaise and cooperate with local, national, regional and international bodies involved in funding, promoting, developing and disseminating writing.
- Promote members’ publications, both nationally and internationally.
- Promote and protect members’ right to freedom of expression.
- Create and maintain networks, and encourage cooperation between authors and other professionals in the book chain.
- Generate and invest the Association’s revenue for the benefit of members.
Across the book value chain
We work with everyone who brings a book to its readers
TANFWA partners with international, regional and national literary stakeholders to share experience in authorship and strengthen the whole chain.
Government agencies
Working with public bodies on policy, copyright and the recognition of authors’ work.
Publishers
Building fair, transparent and beneficial relationships between authors and publishers.
Booksellers
Connecting authors with the trade that carries their books to readers.
Libraries
Supporting access to knowledge and the circulation of Tanzanian scholarship.
Become part of Tanzania’s writing community