Recently, there’s been a wave of prizes and magazines who have opened their windows for submissions. Let’s jump right in:
1. Afritondo Short Story Prize.
Now in its fifth year, Afritondo has put out a call for the “special edition” of its prize. Each year, writers are required to write around a theme. For this year, writers were asked to write on the theme: “Fate.” The winner will receive a cash prize of $1000. Four other shortlisted writers will get $100 each. The longlist will be published in an anthology in August 2024. Previous winners of its short story prize have been: Jarred Thompson, Desta Hailey, Howard Meh-Buh Maximus, and Alex Kadiri. Deadline is December 15, 2023. Click here for submission guidelines.
2. The Best Okereke Prize for Short Fiction.
Newly founded, The Best Okereke Prize for Short Fiction is targeted at short story writers in Nigeria within the ages of 18 and 26. According to them, “The power of storytelling cannot be undermined, as a good story has the power to delight, to question, to instruct, to mirror, to console us. The right story found at the right moment feels like a friend, a companion, maybe even a therapist.” Entered short stories should be between 2,500- 5,000 words. The winner will be awarded a cash reward of #200,000, while two honorable mentions selected from the shortlist of five will receive the sum of #50,000 each. Entries open: October 1st to December 31st, 2023. Click here to read more and apply.
3. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
One of the world’s most renowned short story contests. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded annually for the best piece of unpublished short fiction from the Commonwealth. Regional winners each receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £5,000. Writers can submit work on any theme of their choice. This year, the prize was awarded to Kwame McPherson (Jamaica, Caribbean) for ‘Ocoee’.
Click here for full details on this year’s submission.
4.
The Muse: A Journal of Creative and Critical Writing
Founded by Chinua Achebe, The Muse is the oldest-surviving students’ journal in West Africa, and is owned by the Department of English and Literary Studies, Nigeria, Nsukka. As a way of uplifting new voices, they recently introduced a new series: The Mid-Semester Spotlight. This series aims to “is to uplift the emerging creatives and give them the recognition they deserve. ”
“Each accepted piece of The Mid-Semester Spotlight will be published online immediately, and will showcase the most outstanding pieces from each genre. The best pieces will also be included in our upcoming printed issue.” This is different from their annual call for submissions. Only Nigerian Student Writers with no publication are eligible. Click here to read more.
5. The Shallow Tales Review
The Shallow Tales Review has currently opened its window for submission. Submissions will run from October 1st – October 31st.
They accept fiction, creative non-fiction, book reviews, poems, one-act plays, cultural and social essays, art photographs, and translations–and from anyone, anywhere–as long as it centers “on the sensibilities of the African.” Read their guidelines here to submit.
6. Bernadine Evaristo Prize for Poetry.
Formerly known as Brunel International African Poetry Prize, it was first founded by British writer Bernardine Evaristo who managed the prize for ten years. The prize sought to “encourage a new generation of poets who might one day become an international presence.” Previous winners like Safia Elhillo, Gbenga Adesina and Romeo Oriogun have become global sensations. Renamed, and managed by African Poetry Book Fund presently, the legacy of the prize continues. The prize is open to African poets who have not published a full-length poetry book at the time of submission. It is currently open for submissions for the 2024 edition, from October 1 and November 1, 2023. Only African poets who have not published a full-length poetry book at the time of submission are eligible. To view their submission guidelines, click here.
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