( CNN ) Romance is alive and well across Africa this Valentine 's Day -- romance literature , that is . Some of the continent 's top writers have joined forces to mark the occasion by releasing an anthology of romantic short stories for free in digital and audio formats . Each story is no more than 1,000 words and has also been translated into languages spoken by all the writers -- Igbo , Hausa , Yoruba , Kiswahili , Kpelle , pidgin and French . Contributors include celebrated Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina -- voted one of TIME 's 100 `` Most Influential People in the World '' last year -- and award-winning Nigerian authors Toni Kan and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim . Well-known authors Elnathan John and Mukoma wa Ngugi , writer and publisher Eghosa Imasuen and New York Times journalist Helene Cooper have recorded audio versions of the stories . The initiative , announced by Ankara Press , an imprint of Nigerian publisher Cassava Republic , has a clear directive . `` Our mission is to read and hear what romancing in different languages might sound like and mean , as well as showing how romance can break away from the genre stereotypes and still be entertaining , '' said publisher Bibi Bakare-Yusuf . In light of recent turmoil in Nigeria , the anthology also serves a serious purpose . Bakare-Yusuf explains that the stories provide `` a sensuous antidote to election fatigue that reflects the realities of African lives . '' In doing so they dispel `` stereotypical perceptions of daily life in Africa as one of misery and violence . '' According to project co-ordinator Emma Shercliff , `` one of the most exciting things about the Valentine 's Day Story project is the way it has been a collaborative effort , bringing together writers , publishers , translator and readers from across Africa , all of whom have shown an incredible amount of goodwill by donating their time and talents for free . '' The Valentine 's Day anthology will be available for free digital download on the Ankara Press website on Saturday , February 14th . More from African Voices . Read this : Poetry hunters bring art into digital age . Read this : These are the writers you should be reading .
Africa 's top writers have joined forces for short story anthology . It will go live on Valentine 's Day in digital and audio formats in a variety of languages . Score: 6 The anthology intends to combat negative perceptions of everyday life in Africa .