The Writivism Short Story Prize 2018 shortlist was announced on July 21, 2018. Those in the running for the prize are Mbogo Ireri (Kenya), Mali Kambandu (Zambia), and Obinna Jones (Nigeria).
The Writivism Short Story Prize celebrates writers from the African continent of prose from the last year. The prize which was born on the back of the Writivism initiative in 2012 typically has winners going home with a US$500 cash prize and more literary goodies. Previous winners of the prize include Munachim Amah in 2017, Acan Innocent in 2016, Pemi Aguda in 2015, Saaleha Idrees Bamjee in 2014, and Anthea Paelo in 2013.
The panel of judges for the prize Shadreck Chikoti, Emmanuel Sigauke and Beatrice Lamwaka have announced the shortlist. Those in the running for this year’s prize are;
- Hopes and Dreams by Mbogo Ireri (Kenya)
Mbogo Ireri is 38 years old and was born in Embu, Kenya. He lives in Nairobi with his wife and son (although currently he is away on a short job contract in Doha, Qatar). He wrote his first short story, when he was 18 and it was published by BBC Focus on Africa Magazine in 1999. He is a hotelier by profession.
- The photograph by Mali Kambandu (Zambia)
Mali Kambandu lives in Lusaka, Zambia, with her husband and two children. Mali’s writing influences are Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, but her most cherished book is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. While storytelling came early for her, she didn’t write for pleasure until after university at Juniata College, though the writing courses she took there certainly gave her tools to use in the craft. At Juniata, she once contributed to the literary club magazine, Kvasir. In April 2018, Mali won the Kalemba Short Story Award 2018 in its inaugural year for her short story A hand to hold.
- A River Ends in an Ocean by Obinna Jones (Nigeria)
Obinna Jones. Nigerian. Sadly adult. Studying Physics at Imo State University, Owerri. Writes, reads and stalks Facebook celebrities. Has a dream of winning a Nobel Prize in Physics or literature or both. Has works of fiction on elsieisy’s blog and sidomexentertainment’s blog.
The winner of the prize will be announced at the Writivism Festival in August.
