Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015 Calls for Entries

Rebecca Ejifoma 

Nigeria’s fastest growing and most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat, has called for entries for the 2015 (third edition) Etisalat Prize for Literature in Africa. It is opened from 18 June until 27th August this year when the doors will be shut.

Some of the criteria include: entries must be a writer’s first work of fiction of over 30, 000 words, and published within the last 24 months. The EPL will also launch the online-based flash fiction prize later in the year to engage the rising stars of fiction.

Undoubtedly, being the first ever Pan-African prize celebrating debut African writers of published fiction, colourful and upcoming writers have had their dreams reeled to the public on this platform.

Therefore, according to the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, “Etisalat Prize for Literature serves as a platform for the discovery of new creative writing talents out of the African continent.”

Interestingly, he enthused that following the success of the second edition, the literary community is eagerly awaiting the third edition. And, Etisalat is not giving up on its search for Africa's best fiction octopus.

According to records, while NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition with her celebrated debut novel, We Need New Names, Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged winner of the second edition with his novel, Penumbra.

This time, however, Professor of English and inaugural Director of the Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Toronto - Professor Ato Quayson - will chair the Judging panel. And, Molara Wood, a writer, blogger, journalist, critic/editor alongside Zukiswa Wanner, author of The Madams and Men of the South will be part of the panel.

According to the organizers, the Judges will develop a list of nine novels and shortlist three before finally selecting a winner.

Surprisingly, the winner, according to Etisalat, will receive a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia under the mentorship of award-winning author, Professor Giles Foden. 

Meanwhile, the winner, also, stands to get a sponsored three-city book tour while the two other shortlisted writers will receive a sponsored two-city book tour to promote their books. 

Still spreading its wings to the peak of telecommunications across Africa, the Etisalat Prize for Literature also supports publishers by purchasing 1000 copies of the shortlisted books for distribution within the continent.