Nigerian author Leye Adenle wins the 2024 Lawrence Prize for his short story “The House of Oluawo.” The prize comes with a cash award of 2000 USD. The story appeared in the Spring 2024 African Writing issue of Michigan Quarterly Review. The issue is guest edited by Chris Abani and features writers from across the continent.

The prize was judged by Aaron Burch, professor in the University of Michigan’s Department of English Language and Literature. He praised Adenle’s story for its unforgettable opening: “I can no longer pretend not to remember the day I saw a human head in my father’s fridge.” He described the work as “so engaging, well written, and captivating” that it maintained its hold on him long after reading, calling it “a marvel” he won’t stop thinking about soon.

Adenle is a Nigerian author known for his crime thriller series. His debut novel Easy Motion Tourist won the Prix Marianne, and Unfinished Business, the third book in the series, was published in 2022. His speculative fiction novel The Beautiful Side of the Moon has been optioned for development into a TV series, demonstrating his versatility across genres and media formats.

The Lawrence Prize is awarded by Michigan Quarterly Review, one of America’s most respected literary journals founded in 1962 with a focus on publishing a collection of essays, interviews, memoirs, fiction, poetry, and book reviews every season. The prize itself has been awarded since 1978 to the author of a short story published in the journal each year.

Congrats to Leye Adenle on this award!