The longlist for the African Indie Writers Review AFIRE 2019
Linda Ikeji Prize for Literature has been announced.
The premiere edition of the longlist for the now wildly
popular prize for upcoming and emerging writers of African descent comprises 16
writers, carefully selected from over 150 submissions, a very high number,
considering this is a new competition.
It is to be noted again that the AFIRE Linda Ikeji Prize is
open to African writers of any nationality, writing in English from anywhere in
the world, whether published or not.
The 2019 longlist of submitted work, in no ascending or
descending order:
Oluwaseyi Adebola, A Cluster of Petals
Gideon Uzoma Umezurike, Victims of Duty
Edidiong Edet, A Dream in the Jungle
Pat Anetor, A Son For My Son
Vivian Ofre, These Little Things
Ayo Collins, Drumbeats of a Nigerian Student
Ayo Oyeku (Ayla Faircountry), Reeds on the Rivers
Adeola Adejokun, Unborn Children
Eleanya Ndukwe Jnr, Afrocentric Cinematic Creations and
Analyses
10. Ojoi Igajah, Amokeye: The Dilemma of a Priest
11. Osarhieme Okungbowa, Angels Do Cry
12. I. C. Ukah, Dear Juju Witches
13. Itunu Ajao, Hubris
14. Peter O. Ibe, This Is How We Do It
15. Obinna Ochem, Living in the Ghetto
16. Evans Ufelli, A Gathering of the Tribes
The Editor of African Indie Writers Review, Odega Shawa,
released the following statement:
‘The African Indie Writers Review has come to stay, both as
an ejournal of new and emerging writers in Africa and from Africa and as a
platform for transformation. This is AFIRE’s first offer to emerging writers
from the motherland. The message is clear. Keep writing, no matter what. The
challenges that face new and emerging writers are enormous, especially on the
continent. But the fire must never die. This is also a special call to new and
emerging female writers. Frankly, we did not hear too much from you. We hope to
hear more from you in the future. We thank our benefactor, blogger and
philanthropist, Linda Ikeji, for the support. She has promised more to this partnership
with AFIRE. We cannot wait. As a writer herself she understands, more than
anybody perhaps, what Africa needs for her pen never to go silent. We
appreciate her vision to continue giving back, not just to her community, but
to the whole continent.’
The Shortlist and Winner Announcements:
The shortlist of five books will be announced on the 10th of
November 2019.
The winner will be announced on December 1 2019 in Lagos,
Nigeria. There will be a media reception for the Winner Announcement.
The winner of the 2019 AFIRE Linda Ikeji Prize for
Literature will take home the sum of N1,000,000 cash. The exposure value may
not be so easily calculable, fulfilling the vision of AFIRE to empower and
embolden new and emerging writers from Africa.
The panel of Judges to pick writers for the shortlist and
the winner will be announced on October 10 2019.
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