The Penguin Prize for African Writing

Entries are invited for the Penguin Prize for African Writing.The Penguin Prize for African Writing will be awarded to writers of a previously unpublished, full length adult work in two categories: Fiction and Non-fiction.

The winner in each category will be awarded a prize of R50 000 as well as a publishing contract with Penguin Books (South Africa) that will include worldwide distribution via Penguin Group companies.

Through this award Penguin aims to highlight the diverse writing talent on the African continent and make new African fiction and non-fiction available to a wider readership.

Timeline

The shortlists will be announced in April and the prize in each of the two categories will be awarded in September.

Criteria for entry and rules for the fiction prize Novels of freshness and originality that represent the finest examples of contemporary fiction out of Africa will be considered

Submissions must be typed full-length works of fiction (generally between 60 000 and 100 000 words);

Poetry, plays, and short story collections will not be considered Submissions in the children’s literature, science fiction or fantasy genres will not be considered

Submissions should be previously unpublished works and the rights available to Penguin Books (SA) for worldwide publication and distribution

Submissions must be original works, from established or new writers

Submissions must be in English

Translations into English will be accepted, as long as the rights to publish in English around the world are not held by another publisher

Entrants must be citizens of an African country, where Africa is defined as continental Africa and the associated islands

The competition is not open to Penguin employees, screeners or judges for the prize, nor to members of their families

The judging panel will be convened by Penguin Books (SA)

The shortlist of entries will be communicated to the successful entrants

The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into

Submissions must preferably be emailed to:

fictionprize@za.penguingroup.com.

Hard copy submissions will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances after formal correspondence with the Prize.

Administrator on fictionprize@za.penguingroup.com or addressed to

The Prize Administrator,

Penguin Books,

PO Box 9, Parklands 2121,

South Africa.

Entrants may submit only ONE entry.

Entrants must keep copies of their work as manuscripts will not be returned.

Submission Deadline; 30 January.

For More Information and Application, Please visit; The Penguin Prize for African Writing Website