Kendeka Prize for African Literature is a Non-Profit Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Kenya whose main objective, aim, vision and mission is to nurture new and existing writers from the African Continent and the Diaspora by creating a platform for Africans to tell their stories not only on the Continent but to reach wider audiences around the world. The Prize encourages upcoming writers to write on issues affecting Africa from an African perspective thereby amplifying African voices worldwide.The Prize was founded and launched in September 2020 by Andrew Maina Kariuki, a Kenyan author, in memory of his late mother Kendeka Nyambura. It celebrates the strength and the role played by the African mother in nurturing, supporting and watching their children children grow. It is a celebration of their desire to see their children triumph through hard work and determination.
Kendeka Prize aims at stirring a new army of writers from Africa and the African Diaspora, unhindered by age, social, economic, educational, or ethnic backgrounds. Publication of the long-listed stories is guaranteed by Solano Publications Ltd. in the Anthology, “I Am Listening”. We are delighted to have received coverage in many countries in Africa and especially the Johannesburg Book Review which published the three winning stories. We aim to develop a publishing network throughout Africa as well as outreach programs to bring our published writers closer to their readers.The Awards of Ksh 100,000 shall be given to the best story while the 2nd and the 3rd placed shall receive Ksh 50,000 and 25,000 respectively.
WORTH
- The first prize will be Kshs.100,000.
- The 2nd and the 3rd will receive Kshs.50,000 and Kshs.25,000 respectively.
- All long listed stories shall be published in an anthology titled I Am listening, later in the year.
ELIGIBILITY
- Entrants must be born in, or are citizens of any African country.
- One entry per writer.
- Manuscripts should be of between 3000 and 5000 words.
- All entries must be in English.
- Entries should be attached in Microsoft Word or Rich Text format, with the title of the story as the file name.
- The first page of the story should include the title of the story and number of words.
- The entry must be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font with 1.5 line spacing.
- Entries must be sent as attachments to the email info@kendekaprize.com
- The email to which the story is attached must include the legal name of the writer, telephone number, a short Bio, age, and country of residence.
- Entrants agree that the prize organizers may publicize the fact that a story has been entered, long listed, or shortlisted or won the prize.
- An author of a long-listed story agrees to its inclusion in the anthology, and to work with the editors to get the story ready for publication.
- the long listing of a story is not a guarantee that the story shall be included in the anthology
- The winner, first and second runners up in the Kendeka Prize 2021 are not eligible.
- Every author confirms that the submission is their original work, it has not been published anywhere else, and that it has not been long listed in this prize or in any other prize.
- The entrant gives exclusive global print and digital rights to Solano Publications Ltd for the long-listed stories for publication in an anthology. The author retains the copyright.
- The judges’ decision is final.
DEADLINE: May 15, 2023
To apply and for more information visit here