The Caine Prize for African Writing 2024 is now accepting applications. As a registered charity, the AKO Caine Prize aims to bring African writing to a wider audience through its annual literary award.
In addition to administering the prize, the organization actively connects readers with African writers through public events and supports emerging talents by facilitating their entry into mainstream publishing.
The Caine Prize writers’ workshop, held annually in different African countries, is pivotal in nurturing new voices.
About the Caine Prize Award
- Mission: The AKO Caine Prize is dedicated to promoting African literature globally.
- Activities: Apart from the award, the organization hosts public events to connect readers with African writers. The annual writers’ workshop aids emerging talents in entering mainstream publishing.
- Publication: Stories developed at Caine Prize workshops are published annually alongside shortlisted stories in the Caine Prize Anthology. Cassava Republic Press in the UK and various African publishers contribute to this literary showcase, including Jacana Media, Cassava Republic, FEMRITE, Gadsen Publishers, ‘amaBooks, Langaa, and Mkuku na Nyota.
This is an excellent opportunity for African writers to gain recognition and contribute to the vibrant literary landscape.
Prize Highlights
- Winner: £10,000 cash prize
- Four Shortlisted Writers: £500 each
- Shortlisted Writers’ London Invitation: Engage in public events
- Workshop Opportunity: Selected writers from the longlist are invited to an annual workshop in an African country
Eligibility Criteria
- Published Work: Submit stories published between April 1, 2019, and March 25, 2024.
- Word Count: Entries should range from 3,000 to 10,000 words.
- Publisher Submission: Publishers (physical or digital) can submit entries, including literary journals, magazines, and arts-oriented websites.
- Age Requirement: Writers must be over 18 years old at the time of submission.
- Self-published and Unpublished: Only published works are eligible; self-published and unpublished stories will not be considered.
- Multiple Submissions: Publishers can submit multiple stories but not more than one by the same author.
- Genre: Eligible entries are fictional short stories; novels, children’s stories, factual writing, academic essays, plays, poetry, autobiography/biography, and non-fiction are not eligible.
- Single Submission: Stories may only be entered once for consideration for the Caine Prize.
- Specify Nationality: Indicate the author’s African country and the short story’s word count.
- Publisher’s Letter: Include a ‘publisher’s letter’ with details like the writer’s name, story title, word count, writer’s nationality, and publication date.
How to Apply
Publishers can submit each story as a PDF attachment via email to ([email protected]) or provide a link if published online.
Ensure the subject line of the email includes “‘The Caine Prize for African Writing Entry for 2024”
Submission Deadline
The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2024.
For more detailed information and inquiries, please visit the official Caine Prize website here.
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