Opportunity for African Writers | 2016 Short Story Day Africa Prize Kicks Off In June

It’s almost time for the fourth edition of the Short Story Day Africa Prize (SSDA).

SSDA is one of the leading platforms for new writers in Africa. They published Okwiri Oduor’s story, “My Father’s Head,” which went on to win the 2014 Caine Prize for African Writing.

SSDA is a project committed to telling Africa’s stories in all its beauty and complexity, but it also provides global exposure to little known African writers.

Every year, the organizers of the prize invite writers to submit stories inspired by a selected theme. One winner is awarded the prize, but some of the stories are then collected in an anthology.

Last year, the theme was “water.” Of the 400 entries submitted, 21 stories were selected and published in an anthology edited by Nick Mulgrew & Karina Szczurek.

This year the theme is “Migrations.” Here is how the organizers describe what they have in mind:

From our ancestors’ first forays through the continent, to the contemporary diaspora spread around the world, people are eternally moving in, out and about the African continent. Not everyone leaves out of their own volition, and not everyone comes with the best intentions: nevertheless, the story of Africa is the story of souls migrating, settling, unsettling, fleeing, seeking, resting, nesting and sharing stories, experiences and myths. From herds of migrating animals to treks both physical and spiritual, from the comfort of ancient myth to the desperation of those currently fleeing their homes, Short Story Day Africa is looking for a crop of short fiction that will bring a fresh, urgent perspective to one of our most profound phenomena, and the basis of all our greatest stories.

While submissions are currently not open, I strongly urge aspiring writers out there to mark June 1 on their calendars. That is the date when entrieswill open.  Those who are interested will have until July 31st to submit their work. So start writing something now!

Here is the email to send any questions you might have:  [email protected]

To learn more about Short Story Day Africa, check out their website here

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Brittle Paper is not responsible for the organization or further promotion of this prize, neither do we have a stake in its popularity. Address any inquiry to the contact details included in the post.