The third edition of the Afritondo Short Story Prize is now for open for entry. The prize is one of the new African-run initiatives providing commendable support for literature within the continent. Writers may submit an unpublished short story between 3,000 to 5,000 words. The featured prize is a cash award of $1,000 and $100 will be given to the four additional shortlisted authors. All the longlisted writers will be published in an anthology and some may be offered publishing contracts.

The submissions for each year are themed. The inaugural prize was themed “love” and was won by South Africa’s Jared Thompson for “A Good Help is Hard to Find,” published in the anthology Yellow Means Stay. The 2021 Prize, themed “identity” was won by Desta Haile for her story “Ethio-Cubano,” published in the anthology The Hope, The Prayer, The Anthem.

The theme for the 2022 prize is “spirituality.” As detailed in a press release:

For as long as we could think, humans have wondered about the world, about life, about our very essence. How are we here? More importantly, why are we here? What is it beyond what we can see that gives us a purpose?
Spirituality encompasses a vast array of concepts from internal/personal reflections to traditional/religious practices, and everything in-between. As always, we want to be surprised and thoroughly entertained, so feel free to play around and be creative with the theme. A good story for this prize will offer unique insight into the theme and explore characters in refreshing and imaginative ways.

Submissions Guidelines

  • Entrants must be of African descent or belong to a black minority group.
  • Submissions must be in English.
  • Submissions must be previously unpublished.
  • Submissions must be entrant’s own work.
  • Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected]

See the full guidelines here.

The 2022 edition is judged by Pemi Aguda (Chair, Nigeria), Masande Ntshanga (South Africa), and Natasha Omokhodion-Banda (Zambia). Read more about them here.

Deadline: December 15

Email enquiries to Munachim Amah at [email protected]