Macmillan prize shortlist announced
Writers from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia have been shortlisted for the 2004 Macmillan Writer’s Prize for Africa, which recognises unpublished African fiction for children and young people.
The shortlist of seven has been chosen from more than 500 manuscripts. Entries were submitted by both new and experienced writers from 19 different countries across the continent: Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There were also a number of entries from writers living overseas.
This year’s Chair of the judges Beverley Naidoo sayss: ‘The prize has once again revealed enthusiasm and talent in writers across the continent exploring a variety of themes. Reaching our shortlist wasn't easy. We actively debated individual merits in widely differing scripts, assessing them in terms of originality, quality of writing and appeal to intended audience.’
The judging panel for the Macmillan Writer’s Prize for Africa is: Award-winning children’s authors Beverley Naidoo (Chair) and Meshack Asare; writer and broadcaster Aminatta Forna; and newspaper columnist and winner of the 2002 Best New Children’s Writer Award Susan Kajura.
The winners will be announced on 15 January 15, 2004 and the winning titles will be published later in the year.
The shortlist is as follows:
Junior award, for an original, unpublished story in English for children between the ages of 8 and 12.
- The Blue Marble
Jackee Budesta Batanda (Uganda) - The Bamboo Girl
Anthony Kwamlah Johnson (Ghana) - The Talking Pot *
Gichaba Joseck Nyantino (Kenya
Senior award, for an original, unpublished story in English for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.
- Wandi’s Little Voice *
Ellen Mulenga Aaku (Zambia) - Lea’s Christmas
Elizabeth Irene Baitie (Ghana) - I Refuse to be a Statistic *
Alice Muthoni Gichuru (Kenya) - Begotten of the Gods *
Osita Okoroafor (Nigeria)
