Book Club - Nairobi
Welcome to the Authors and Writers Book Club
A space where book writers and book lovers connect beyond the page. Launched in 2025, we’re a community of Nairobians who love books. Many of us write and read them, and the rest edit, market and champion them. None of us wants to walk the book world journey alone.
The idea behind the club
How Authors and Writers Book Club began
It began in 2025, as a chama-style circle: Kenyan authors buying, reading and discussing each other’s books, and met hybrid in Nairobi bookstores to cheer one another on toward the next book and the next bestseller. Cohort 1 ran through 2026 and closed in October 2026. See our book events.
Along the way, authors received honest feedback and reviews from fellow writers and readers, booksellers, literature enthuasists, marketing strategist, advice on their target audience and book marketing, and talks on book covers and formatting.
Cohort 2 keeps what worked: honest conversation and the author in the room. It becomes a paid annual membership, so the club stays consistent and members stay committed.
What's coming up
A new chapter, restructured
for committed members
When you joined, the club was free. We’ve now moved to a paid annual membership, so we can keep the circle consistent and committed, with more of what you came for: great stories, honest conversation, and the authors in the room.
What we read
Fiction or creative non-fiction by Kenyan and African authors, with one Book of the Month.
Why we read
To learn from published authors, see books through each other’s eyes, and enjoy great conversations about every story. Whether you write, read, edit, publish, or promote books, you leave with fresh insight, new connections, and a stronger love for Kenyan stories.
Who joins us
Authors, writers and readers, plus book influencers, content creators and book lovers of every kind. Publishers, editors, reviewers, booksellers and book marketers join selected meetups as guests.
When we meet
- Monthly virtually meetings
- Quarterly Club Physical Gatherings
Reasons to join
What's in it for you, whoever you are
Whether you read, write, edit, publish, or promote books, there’s a seat for you. Come for the books and the conversation, and stay for the friendships.
Authors
Learn from published authors what works in a book, from voice to structure. Find readers and writers who will talk honestly about your genre, and get your book in front of a community that buys and reads Kenyan stories. Stocking on the Doreen Khamala Books website is arranged separately; contact us for terms.
Writers
Read like a writer, picking up craft you can use in your own manuscript. Find beta readers who will give honest feedback, and stay motivated and accountable among people who understand the road to finishing a book.
Readers
Discover a new Kenyan or African read every month, and talk it through with the author and people who love books as much as you do. Ask the authors your questions, share your view, and help writers see what lands with readers. You’ll read more, and never finish a good book with no one to tell.
Publishers
Meet new voices and see which Kenyan stories resonate with readers. Join selected meetups as a guest and connect with authors and editors in a relaxed setting.
Editors
Meet writers who are serious about their craft, and talk about what makes a story work with people who care about the details. Join selected meetups as a guest.
Book Marketers
Hear straight from authors and readers about what makes a book sell. Join selected meetups as a guest, test your ideas with a live audience and find authors to work with.
Book Influencers
Discover fresh Kenyan and African titles to share with your followers, and build relationships with authors and fellow book lovers.
Book Content Creators
Find stories, voices and conversations worth creating around, and collaborate with authors and readers.
Book Lovers
Enjoy a monthly reading ritual with warm company, great conversation and plenty of book recommendations, and finally finish the books you start.
And every member gets
- Keep your reading on track — a friendly nudge, and great company, to help you read more, share your reading perspective and finish the book you're reading.
- Stay connected all month — join our private WhatsApp group for updates, conversation, and next actions.
- A 10-minute presentation — slot to build confidence and discussion.
- Grow your Nairobi network — connect with professionals, creatives, and thinkers you haven't met yet.
- Meet Kenyan authors and literature lovers —and interact with them.
- Monthly Virtual Meetings
- Our quarterly club Physical gatherings.
Note
Authors and Writers Cozy Afternoons are our quarterly gatherings are all about sharing passions, learning from one another, and celebrating diverse interests. Instead of discussing a book, each member presents a short PowerPoint on any topic they truly care about e.g love, money, cars, travel, architecture, religion, culture.. (Anything you are passionate about). We meet on a Saturday afternoon for relaxed, inspiring conversations that spark curiosity and connection. All done over tea/wine and good food. Everyone is welcome to bring their unique perspective and discover something new.
Meeting & Communication
- Monthly Virtual meetings
- Physical meetings: Quarterly
- Between meetings: Private WhatsApp group continues until the next action is shared.
- Presentation format: Each member gets 10 minutes to present their understanding og the book
Membership & joining
Register, Pay, and pull up a chair
Nothing is charged unless you choose to join, and you’re always welcome at our free Writer’s Community WhatsApp Group and our public events either way. Any questions, contact us through here and we’ll get back to you.
Step 1 · Register
- Pay your annual fee. After you submit, check your email for payment details. By registering you agree to the non-refundable annual fee and to our privacy policy.
- Join the group. Once you've paid, we'll add you right away to a private WhatsApp group committed only to the book club.
Pay your annual fee
KES 208 per month. Annual membership: KES 2,500
Join the group
Once you've paid, we'll add you right away to a private WhatsApp group committed only to the book club.
How do I join?
- Fill the form
- Submit your membership details
- After you submit, check your email for payment details.
- Complete the annual payment covers till 31st December, Yearly
- WhatsApp us on 0715969201 / email us on info@doreenkhamalabooks.ke
- Get added to the Authors and Writers Book Club Private WhatsApp and receive meeting updates
Book reviews
My Reading List 2026
Common questions
You Asked, We answered
It covers running the online community and it helps us keep the circle committed and sustainable.
No. We welcome writers at every stage, as well as readers. You only need to love books and be ready to take part.
Fiction or creative non-fiction by Kenyan and African authors, with one Book of the Month.
Monthly, in a Nairobi Bookstore chosen for each meetup. You cover your own transport and bring along a snack to share.
Yes. You can join our meetups online and stay connected through the private WhatsApp group.
When we announce the monthly titles, we also share where to find them: physical copies from a bookstore that we’ll meet that month, and e-book or audiobooks options where available.
We offer a 30-day guarantee if you find the learning provided inside the program unfitting to the description on this landing page. Please note that this program isn’t a subscription, but a 12-month installment plan to manage affordability, which means we don’t support cancellations, pauses or delays.
Make sure that when you’re starting this program you commit to the 12 months to get the most out of this experience. You don’t have to be present for the entirety of the program to benefit from it, and the schedule is adjustable to you, so even if you fall behind a little, you can catch up on your own time, but we unfortunately can’t grant extensions.
Content such as the video lessons and live access to the program (groupchat, live events and support) will expire in 365 days from your starting date, but you will still be able to keep the Ebooks, exercises, templates, and your Notion workspace indefinitely, even if you do not participate in the live portion of the program.
I am always available to answer any queries you may have on info@doreenkhamalabooks.ke to make sure this is the right investment for you before you commit.
No pressure. We’ll publish a report on the Doreen Khamala Books website and share highlights on our Instagram page:
If you miss that too, just rejoin the following month. It’s flexible.
Yes, please do – especially if they love books. They’re welcome to sign up and stay.
Register, pay the annual fee using the details sent to your email, and we’ll add you to the private WhatsApp group right away.
We encourage you to read along so the conversation is richer. We’ll share where to find each title when we announce it.
Yes. Share your suggestions in the Private WhatsApp Group and we’ll consider them for upcoming months. We also invite authors to join us when they’re available.
Follow Authors and Writers Book Club
Meetup reports, Book of the Month reveals, author spotlights and highlights from every circle — all on Instagram.