Toni Morrison, for decades the greatest living writer, passed on at 88, on 6 August. We have compiled tributes to her, published on other sites, by Namwali Serpell, Diana Evans, Bernardine Evaristo, Chigozie Obioma, Ben Okri, Aminatta Forna, Afua Hirsch, Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, Margaret Busby, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Laila Lalami. For […]
The 9Mobile Prize for Literature Says It Will Announce a 2018 Winner, 18 Months After the Shortlist
The Etisalat Prize for Literature was founded in 2012 by the telecommunications company Etisalat Nigeria. Worth £15,000, it recognized the best debut book by an African writer. It was won by Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo in 2014, for We Need New Names; South Africa’s Songheziwe Mahlangu in 2015, for Penumbra; the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston […]
Announcement of Resignation from the Founding Patrons of the Etisalat / 9Mobile Prize for Literature
The Etisalat Prize for Literature was founded in 2012 by the telecommunications company Etisalat Nigeria. Worth £15,000, it recognized the best debut book by an African writer. It was won by Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo in 2014, for We Need New Names; South Africa’s Songheziwe Mahlangu in 2015, for Penumbra; the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston […]
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey to Lead New Project for Artistic Partnership between University of Manchester and HOME
As part of their three-year artistic partnership, the University of Manchester and the Manchester-based arts venue HOME have created a knowledge exchange programme and a literature event series to be led by Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, OBE, who has been appointed Senior Research Fellow. It is her fourth major appointment this year, following her being named […]
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey & Bibi Bakare-Yusuf Join the Royal Society of Literature as Honourary Fellows
Caine Prize chair Ellah Wakatama Allfrey and Cassava Republic Press co-founder Bibi Bakare-Yusuf have been inducted into the UK’s Royal Society of Literature (RSL) as Honorary Fellows, a category for “those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of literature as publishers, agents, booksellers or producers, or who have rendered special service to […]
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey Joins Canongate as Editor-at-Large for Fiction
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey has joined UK publishing house Canongate as editor-at-large for fiction. This is the powerfully influential editor and critic’s second major new role this year, after being named chair of the Caine Prize in April. The Zimbabwean Allfrey, who until recently was Publishing Director of The Indigo Press and chief judge for the […]
The Miles Morland Foundation Announces Judges for 2019 Scholarships: Muthoni Garland, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf & Otosirieze Obi-Young
The Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) has announced changes for its prestigious Writing Scholarships. Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, founder of The Indigo Press and new chair of the Caine Prize, and Olufemi Terry, winner of the 2010 Caine Prize, have left the judging panel, and have been replaced by Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, founder of Cassava Republic Press, and […]
Influential Publisher, Editor & Critic Ellah Wakatama Allfrey Is the New Chairperson of the Caine Prize
The influential publisher, editor, critic, and broadcaster Ellah Wakatama Allfrey is now Chairperson of the Caine Prize for African Writing. Allfrey, who is Zimbabwean, and is a Trustee of the Prize, will be replacing Dr Delia Jarrett-Macauley in her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees and of the Advisory Council of the Caine […]