The longlist for the 2024 Island Prize is out and it includes a list of 10 magnificent manuscripts. The chosen authors are from all over the African continent – 2 from Nigeria, 2 from Zimbabwe, and 1 each from Angola, Ghana, Gambia, Zambia, South Africa, and Egypt.

The Island prize was set up in honor of South African author Karen Jennings’ Booker-longlisted novel An Island. It is administered by Jennings in partnership with her publishers Holland House Books (UK) and Karavan Press (South Africa). In addition to a cash award of £500, £300, and £200 for first, second and third place respectively, the top three manuscripts will be considered for publication, and their authors introduced to an agent.

This year’s judges include Karen Jennings, Sudanese writer Reem Gaafar, and Wasafiri Magazine‘s editor and publishing director Sana Goyal. The prize judges remarked that have been both overwhelmed and heartened by the number of entries they have received this year.

The judges added that this this year’s longlist represents “a broad and talented continent with many stories to tell in a variety of ways. As a result of the array of talent and potential we encountered during the reading process, we found it very difficult to make decisions and that is why we have ended up with this slightly longer-than-anticipated longlist of ten.”

Check out the longlist below:

In Vain by Joao Canoquena (Angola)

Lyrics to the Colour Red by Ruby Excel (Ghana)

Landlord of the Evil Forest by Chidinma Iwuoha (Nigeria)

Before the Rapine by Kebba S. Juwara (Gambia)

When The Shadows Call by Mali Kambandu (Zambia)

Freelance by Simbarashe Steyn Kundizeza (Zimbabwe)

The Village Bus by Phelelani Makhanya (South Africa)

Outside Where the Rain Falls by Wayne Samuel (Nigeria)

Marionette by Reda Soliman (Egypt)

What it Means to Outlive a Daughter by Chioniso Tsikisayi (Zimbabwe)

The shortlist will be announced in early May, and the winner to be announced soon thereafter.

Congrats to the longlisted writers!