Photo : Éditions du Faubourg
An African History of Africa: Behind the Scenes of a Publishing Success
As part of the La Voix des Indés festival, come and meet Sophie Caillat, founder of Éditions du Faubourg, to discuss the book "An African History of Africa" (2026).
Bibliothèque François Villon (Paris 10th)
About
In 2024, British-Sudanese journalist Zeinab Badawi published the book An African History of Africa. The result of more than a decade of travel across African states, research, and collaboration with local academics, this ambitious work traces the continent’s history, from the origins of humanity in West Africa to the end of apartheid in South Africa, moving away from the Western perspective.
An international bestseller acclaimed by the press, the book was released in France in 2026 under the title Une histoire africaine de l’Afrique, published by Éditions du Faubourg.
As part of La Voix des Indés, Sophie Caillat, president of Éditions du Faubourg, will join us to present this major editorial project. From the acquisition of foreign rights to the cooperation with the International Alliance of Independent Publishers for the book's distribution in Africa, including the crowdfunding campaign and institutional support in France, Sophie Caillat will share the journey of this important and successful book.
Our take on this event
Forget standard textbooks, we are diving deep into the gripping journey of a masterpiece that reclaims African history from a fresh perspective. Join us for an intimate behind-the-scenes look at how this international bestseller was brought to life and introduced to readers across the globe.
Explore the publishing journey behind the international bestseller "Une histoire africaine de l'Afrique" by journalist Zeinab Badawi. This event unveils how the book was brought to French readers, detailing its mission to narrate the continent's history—from the origins of humanity to the end of apartheid—while moving away from Western-centric viewpoints. Hosted at the Bibliothèque François Villon on Thursday, February 4, 2027, the presentation is free for all adults aged 18 and over. Please note that registration is required to attend, and the venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
On Thursday, February 4, 2027, from 19:00 to 21:00, the Bibliothèque François Villon hosts a deep dive into the creation of the acclaimed book "Une histoire africaine de l'Afrique". Written by British-Sudanese journalist Zeinab Badawi after a decade of extensive research and travel, the work offers a fresh perspective on African history, free from traditional Western biases. As part of the "La Voix des Indés" series, Sophie Caillat, president of Éditions du Faubourg, will discuss the process of bringing this ambitious project to France.
The presentation covers the complex lifecycle of the book, from securing foreign rights to collaborating with the International Alliance of Independent Publishers to ensure the title reaches readers across Africa. Sophie Caillat will recount the practical challenges of the publication, including crowdfunding campaigns and navigating institutional support. This event is open to adults 18 and older, with wheelchair access provided. Advance registration is necessary to secure your spot for this informative look at contemporary publishing.
