6 African writers have made the shortlist for the just announced Commonwealth Short Story prize. The writers include Buke Abduba (Kenya), H. B. Asari (Nigeria), Michael Boyd (South Africa), Hana Gammon (South Africa), Josiah Mbote (Kenya), and Matshediso Radebe (South Africa). The writers on the Shortlist were selected from 6,642 entries.
The Prize, which is awarded annually, is given to the best unpublished short fiction works in English by writers from Commonwealth countries. The prize was first established in 2012 and has since become one of the most prestigious literary awards for emerging writers.
The regional winners of the prize will be announced on May 17, while the overall winner will be announced on June 27, 2023. The regional winners receive cash prize of £2,500 each, while the the grand prize winner will receive £5,000.
This year’s prize was judged by a panel of judges chaired by Pakistani writer and translator, Bilal Tanweer, and includes other authors such as Rwandan-born author, Rémy Ngamije, Sri Lankan author, Ameena Hussein, British-Canadian author, Katrina Best; Saint Lucian author, Mac Donald Dixon; and New Zealand’s former Poet Laureate, Dr. Selina Tusitala Marsh.
Speaking about the shortlist, the chair Bilal Tanweer said, “This year’s shortlist is a concert of voices from across the Commonwealth, showcasing the richness of its writing traditions, histories, and perspectives. These stories brim with the energy and urgency of the present moment—read them to experience the beat and pulse of contemporary storytelling”
You can read more about the shortlist here
Congratulations to the Shortlisted Writers.
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