Etisalat Nigeria Launch First Ever Pan-African Prize For Literature Award

Etisalat Pan-African prize For Literature

In line with its vision of promoting passions, nurturing talent and providing a platform for communicating ideas today announced the first edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature aimed at recognising and celebrating writers and other members of the literary community across Africa.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first ever pan-African prize to applaud first time writers of published fiction novels. The prize will bring together high profile writers, book critics and academics from across the continent and beyond to identify new writers of African descent. Submitted works must be the writer’s first fiction book of over 30,000 words and which has been published in the last twenty-four months.

Entries are now open until the deadline of the 30th of August 2013 to publishers with a minimum of 10 published authors. All entries will be vetted and scrutinized by a panel of four preselected judges chaired by Pumla Gqola, associate professor in the Department of African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and of South Africa’s most celebrated intellectuals. Other judges are Zaks Mda, Professor of Creative writing at the University of Ohio and winner of the Commonwealth Prize, Billy Kahora, Managing Editor of Kwani Trust, of the literary Journal Kwani and Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer and academic. These judges will work together to select the long list as well as a shortlist of three novels and finally the winner who will be announced in February 2014.

By recognizing and celebrating writers and other members of the literary community across Africa, Etisalat plans to bring some much needed awareness and acclaim to the art of Fiction writing while also applauding and rewarding the efforts of those who have ventured into this genre in recent times.

At the core of Etisalat’s vision is promoting passion, nurturing talent and providing a platform for communicating ideas, The ‘Etisalat Prize for Literature’ wholly embodies this vision, bringing together celebrated high profile writers, book critics and academics from across the Continent and beyond in order to give credence and honor to ‘home-grown’ talent while also rewarding new entrants and encouraging further participation in this area.
Prize Structure

The Etisalat Prize for Literature will celebrate new writers of African citizenship whose first fiction book (over 30,000 words) was published in the last twenty four (24) months. For the purposes of this definition, first book means first printed production in book form of any type or genre. Authors and their publishers can be based anywhere in the world. An online Flash Fiction Prize will be launched later in the year driven entirely by social media – more information on this will be made available on our website.

The winner of the Etisalat Prize for Literature receives £15,000, a Samsung Galaxy Note and a Montblanc Meisterstuck. In line with our vision of promoting upcoming writers, Etisalat will sponsor a book tour to three African cities. The winning writer will also embark on the Etisalat Fellowship at the University of East Anglia mentored by Professor Giles Foden (author of The Last King of Scotland) which will include significant opportunities to meet other writers, publishers and most importantly work on their second book. Shortlisted writers will win a Samsung Galaxy Note and also go on a book tour to two major African cities.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is unique in that it also aims to promote the publishing industry at large and will therefore purchase 1000 copies of all shortlisted books which will be donated to various schools, book clubs and libraries across the African continent.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans said that the Prize was created out of the need to give recognition to indigenous works of literature while also rewarding new entrants and encouraging further participation. “We are pleased to have initiated this important project that celebrates literary excellence and creativity in Nigeria and across Africa. We believe literature has the potential to effect change and serve as a catalyst for promoting a cultural revolution. However, it is a field that has been relegated to the background, making African fiction and short story writers to look to international awards for recognition,” he said. “The Etisalat Prize for Literature is our way of sharing in the passions and aspirations of young and upcoming writers as well as breathing new life to the literary society,” Evans added.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature aims to serve as a viable platform for the discovery of new creative talent from the continent and invariably promote the growing publishing industry in Africa. Entries will be accepted for two categories, namely: Full length English fiction novels and Flash Fiction Short Stories, to be launched towards the end of the year and driven entirely via social media.

Criteria for Entry

    Submissions will only be accepted from publishing houses.
    All books entered must have a registered ISBN number or equivalent.
    Entries for fiction books will be submitted by publishers who have published a minimum of ten (10) authors.
    Each publisher will be allowed to enter a maximum of three (3) books – however books maybe called in by the judges.
    Each entry will be required to be accompanied by Seven (7) copies of the book being entered along with acceptance of publicity terms.
    The Etisalat Prize for Literature is not open to employees of any organisation under Emirates Telecommunications Corporation with branded trade name Etisalat.

How to Enter

Applications will be accepted via post only. Please complete the attached entry form signifying acceptance of our terms and conditions. Click Here Application Details.

Entries fulfilling the criteria listed below will be accepted until the 30th August 2013

    The book was first published between 01 May 2011 and May 31 2013
    The book was first published in English and by an author of African citizenship
    All shortlisted and winning authors will cooperate fully with Etisalat corporate communications, making themselves available for interviews, events and other opportunities where possible
    Entries by non-African based publishers will require a co-publisher partnership with an African based publisher should any entries be shortlisted.