Kwani? Manuscript Project – call for submissions

o celebrate the African novel and its adaptability and resilience, Kwani Trust announces a one-off new literary prize for African writing. The Kwani? Manuscript Project calls for the submission of unpublished fiction manuscripts from African writers across the continent and in the Diaspora. The prize seeks fresh, original work that explores and challenges the possibilities of the novel.

The top 3 manuscripts will be awarded cash prizes:

1st Prize: 300 000 KShs (equivalent to $3500)

2nd Prize: 150 000 KShs

3rd Prize: 75 000 KShs

In addition Kwani? will publish manuscripts from across the shortlist and longlist, including the three winning manuscripts, as well as partnering with regional and global agents and publishing houses to create high profile international publication opportunities.

Winners will be announced in December 2012 at the Kwani? Litfest.

For more information go to: http://manuscript.kwani.org/

Submission Guidelines:

  • Deadline - 17th September 2012
  • Word count 45 000-120 000 words
  • Submissions should be adult literary or genre fiction (in the sense of not being 'children's fiction')
  • The work should be in English or 'Englishes'
  • The manuscript must be 'new' in the sense that it is 'unpublished in book form' (we will accept previously published submissions if circulation has been under 500 copies and limited to one national territory)
  • Eligible participants should have at least one parent born in an African country who holds citizenship of the same
  • Please send submissions by email, attached as a WORD doc to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This Kwani? Manuscript Project is made possible by the generous support of Lambent Foundation and Ford Foundation.

The Kwani? Manuscript Project was initially conceptualised after Kwani Trust received the Prince Claus Award in December 2010 for "establishing a dynamic platform for new voices in African Literature." The award has provided seed money for this prize.

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PEN / STUDZINSKI LITERARY AWARD

SA PEN is sad to announce that our PEN "New Writing" series ended with the publication of African Pens 2011 by Jacana Media in May 2011. We are looking at alternative ways of encouraging young writers in the 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community. Watch this space. The winners of the 2011 PEN/Studzinski Literary Award were announced at the launch of African Pens 2011, published by Jacana Media, at an event held at The Book Lounge, Cape Town, last night, 19th May.

SA PEN Interviews the 2011 PEN/Studzinski Literary Award Winners...read more

Prize Winners 2011 – as selected by JM Coetzee

1st - £5 000 The Story by James Whyle
2nd - £3 000 Heatwave by Beth Hunt
3rd - £2 000 The Ticket by William Oosthuizen

JM Coetzee also stated: ‘The following five stories deserve honourable mention’

Quiver by Rosemund J Handler
The Sunday Paper by Rosamund Kendal
Parking the Guilt by Kyne Nislev Bernstorff
Claremont Park by Bobby Jordan
July by Joline Young

Congratulations to the winners and to all finalists featured in African Pens 2011! This anthology, featuring the 21 shortlisted entries, can now be purchased at The Book Lounge, Exclusive Books stores and other good bookshops.

Details of the next PEN/Studzinski Literary Award will be announced in 2012. Please note that SA PEN is not accepting submissions in 2011.

Featured Members' Titles

  1. Do You Know Who I Am?!
  2. Onion Tears
  3. Sometimes There is a Void - Memoirs of an Outsider
  4. Nineveh

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