Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature: ANA calls for entries

 

CHINUA ACHEBE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE: ANA CALLS FOR ENTRIES

 

By: Wole Adedoyin

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced that entries for the third edition of the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature are now open. The prize, which is awarded to Nigerian novelists at home and abroad who publish in English, was launched by the Anambra State Government in July 2021 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of ANA's founding by the late Chinua Achebe.

According to a statement from ANA General Secretary, Maik Ortserga, the focus on fiction in the prize "reflects the efforts of the Nigerian writer of the contemporary era to change the narratives and intensify the search for a better world." The prize will be awarded at this year’s ANA International Convention at MammamVatsa Writers Village Abuja in November 2023.

The Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature is a prestigious award that recognizes excellence in Nigerian fiction. It is named in honor of the late Chinua Achebe, a renowned Nigerian author who is widely regarded as one of the greatest African writers of all time.

The Prize offers a cash award of N1,000,000 to the winning entry. It is open to Nigerian writers at home and abroad who have published novels in English between 2021 and 2023. Unpublished work is not eligible for the Chinua Achebe Prize, and only one novel per author will be considered in any one year. Six copies of the work are required to be submitted with the application.

To apply, interested writers are required to send six original published copies of their work, including a letter from the publisher, to the Chinua Achebe Prize c/o the General Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), KM 2, MammanVatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja.

The Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature has quickly become one of the most sought-after literary prizes in Nigeria, and it has helped to raise the profile of Nigerian writers both locally and internationally. The Prize has also encouraged young and aspiring writers to take up the craft of writing and to aim for excellence in their work.

The ANA International Convention at MammamVatsa Writers Village Abuja in November 2023 will be a major event in the Nigerian literary calendar, and the award of the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature will be a highlight of the convention. It will be an opportunity for the winner to be recognized for their outstanding work and to join the ranks of some of the most celebrated Nigerian authors.

The ANA encourages all eligible Nigerian writers to submit their works for the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature. This Prize is a testament to the enduring legacy of Chinua Achebe and his contributions to Nigerian literature. It is a fitting tribute to his memory and an inspiration to all writers who seek to tell their stories and to create a better world through their art.

The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2023. The judges for the Prize will be announced in due course. All eligible entries will be considered by a panel of distinguished judges who are experts in the field of Nigerian literature. The ANA wishes all entrants the best of luck in their submissions, and looks forward to celebrating the winners of the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature at the ANA International Convention in November 2023.