Etisalat Prize for Literature
| Etisalat Prize for Literature | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | First Pan-African Prize for debut published writers |
| Sponsor | Etisalat Nigeria (2013) |
| Location | Africa |
| Presented by | Etisalat Prize for Literature |
| First awarded | 2013 |
| Official website | Website |
The Etisalat Prize for Literature was created by Etisalat Nigeria in 2013.[1][2] The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first ever pan-African prize celebrating first-time African writers of published fiction books.[3] The prize aims to serve as a platform for the discovery of new creative talent out of the continent and invariably promote the burgeoning publishing industry in Africa. The winner receives a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the University of East Anglia.
The Etisalat Prize for Literature also aims to support publishers by purchasing 1000 copies of all shortlisted books, to be donated to various schools, book clubs and libraries across the African continent.[3]
Entry and Prize
The Etisalat Prize for Literature celebrates new writers of African citizenship whose first fiction book (more than 30,000 words in length) was published in the previous 24 months. The prize accepts any printed production in book form of any type or genre. Authors and their publishers can be based anywhere in the world.[3]
The winner of the Etisalat Prize for Literature receives £15,000, a Samsung Galaxy Note and an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück. In line with the prize's vision of promoting upcoming writers, Etisalat sponsors a book tour to three African cities for the winning writer and shortlisted writers. The winning writer is also awarded the Etisalat Fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, which includes significant opportunities to meet other writers, publishers and work on a second book. Shortlisted writers win a Samsung Galaxy Note and also embark on a book tour to two major African cities.
The Etisalat Prize has a board of patrons (in addition to the judges) who are mostly writers, academics, publishers and critics. Patrons are carefully selected based on professional excellence and a relationship with the African writing industry. As of 2014, patrons are:[4][5]
- Ama Ata Aidoo, writer, playwright and academic
- Dele Olojede, journalist, winner of Pulitzer Prize
- Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, OBE, publisher, Granta Magazine
- Kole Omotoso, Writer
- Margaret Busby, OBE, writer, publisher and dramatist
- Zakes Mda, novelist and playwright
Award history
Blue ribbon (
) = winner
2013
The shortlist was announced on 23 January 2014.[6][7] The winner was announced on 23 February 2014,[8] and the award ceremony took place on Sunday, 2 March, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.[9]
- Yewande Omotoso, Bom Boy (Modjaji Books)
- Karen Jennings, Finding Soutbek (Holland Park Press)
- NoViolet Bulawayo, We Need New Names (Little, Brown and Company/Chatto & Windus UK)[10]
The judges in 2013 were:[11]
- Zakes Mda, novelist and playwright
- Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer, academic
- Pumla Dineo Gqola, writer, academic
- Billy Kahora, writer, editor of Kwani?
2014
The 2014 judges were:[12]
- Sarah Ladipo Manyika (chair)
- Alain Mabanckou
- Jamal Mahjoub
- Tsitsi Dangarembga
The shortlist was announced in December 2014.[13] The winner was announced on Sunday, 15 March 2015, at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, Nigeria.[14][15]
- Nadia Davids, An Imperfect Blessing (Random House Struik-Umuzi)
- Chinelo Okparanta, Happiness, Like Water (Granta Books)
- Songeziwe Mahlangu, Penumbra (Kwela Books, imprint of NB Publishers)
See also
- Emirates Telecommunications Corporation
- Etisalat Nigeria
- Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature
References
- ↑ "Pan-African Prize for Literature Project". BellaNaija.com. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ↑ Carolyn (7 June 2013). "First Pan-African Prize for Debut Writers of Published Fiction Books: The Etisalat Prize for Literature". Books Live. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Prize Profile", Etisalat Prize for Literature.
- ↑ Terh Agbedeh (26 June 2013). "Sustainability of literary prizes, as new one debuts". National Mirror. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ↑ Patrons, Etisalat Prize for Literature.
- ↑ "Etisalat Prize for Literature Announces 2013 Shortlist". Etisalat Prize. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- ↑ Lindsay (22 January 2014). "The Inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature Shortlist Announced". Books Live. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- ↑ "Toast to African writers at Etisalat Prize for Literature", Nigerian Tribune, 2 March 2014.
- ↑ Toni Kan, "Noviolet Bulawayo Wins Etisalat Literature Prize", This Day Live, 2 March 2014.
- ↑ Ben (23 February 2014). "NoViolet Bulawayo Wins the Inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature". Books Live. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ↑ "List of Panel of Judges for Etisalat Prize for Literature out", Vanguard, 21 July 2013.
- ↑ Akintayo Abodunrin, "Quartet announced as judges for 2014 Etisalat Prize", Nigerian Tribune, 20 July 2014.
- ↑ "Candidates announced for Etisalat Prize for Literature", The Nation, 14 December 2014.
- ↑ "South African Songeziwe Mahlangu Wins the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature For His Story ‘Pen Umbra’", BellaNaija, 16 March 2015.
- ↑ Micheal Abimboye, "South African wins Etisalat prize for Literature", Premium Times, 16 March 2015.
External links
- Etisalat Prize for Literature website.
- Official site of Etisalat Nigeria.
- Prisca Sam-Duru, "Echoes from Etisalat Prize for Literature", Vanguard, 8 March 2014.