Entries for Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015 Announced

Adeola Ogunrinde |

Etisalat Nigeria has announced the call for entries to the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature. In its third year, the Prize is the first ever Pan African prize celebrating debut African writers of published fiction. This year’s judges are Nigerian Journalist and literary critic Molara Wood, Kenyan Writer Zukiswa Warner and Ghanaian Writer and Professor of English Ato Quayson

In a press briefing , Matthew Willsher, Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria said “The Etisalat Prize for Literature serves as a platform for the discovery of new creative writing talents out of the African continent.”

The CEO highlighted that following the success of the second year which was concluded early this year, the literary community is eagerly awaiting the third year. NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature with her highly celebrated debut novel, We Need New Names, while Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged winner of the second year of the prize with his novel, Penumbra.

According to Willsher,   Etisalat prize is designed to foster writing in Africa, bring exciting new African writers to the attention of a wider audience, and promote the reading culture. The winner is to receive a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia under the mentorship of the award-winning author, Professor Giles Foden. The winner will also receive a sponsored three-city book tour while the two other shortlisted writers will receive a sponsored two-city book tour to promote their books. The Etisalat Prize for Literature also supports publishers by purchasing 1000 copies of the shortlisted books for distribution within the continent.

This prize which accepts submitted works which must be a writer’s first work of fiction over 30,000 words, and published within the last 24 months. Etisalat Prize will also launch the online based flash fiction prize later in the year to engage the rising stars of fiction.