The shortlist for the 2021 Short Story Day Africa Prize has been announced.


Short Story Day Africa Prize awards a total of $1,100 worth of cash prizes on up to three writers for a single short story ($800 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place). It is open to an African citizen or African in the diaspora.


Previous winners are Adam El Shalakany (2018), Tochukwu Emmanuel Okafor (2017), Sibongile Fisher (2016), Cat Hellisen (2015), Diane Awerbuck (2014), and Okwiri Oduor (2013).


The 2021 Prize is themed “Disruption”. The collection of the longlisted stories will be published by US-based catalyst press. The anthology cover is designed by South African writer Megan Ross. The anthology is edited by Rachel Zadok with contributions from board members Jason Mykl Snyman and Karina Szczurek.


The longlist for the award was announced on October 8, 2020. The shortlisted writers are:
Static – Alithanayn Abdulkareem (Nigeria)
Dɔrə’s Song – Victor Forna (Sierra Leone)
The Fish Tank Crab – Genna Gardini (South Africa)
Shelter – Mbozi Haimbe (Zambia)
Before We Die Unwritten – Innocent Ilo (Nigeria)
Laatlammer – Julia Louw (South Africa)
Five Years Next Sunday – Idza Luhumyo (Kenya)
When the Levees Break – Edwin Okolo (Nigeria)


The three winners will be announced on 21 June 2021. The anthology Disruption: New Short Fiction from Africa, will be launched globally on 7 September 2021.

Image source: James Murua