The Quramo Writers Prize (QWP) 2024 has published a longlist of 20 manuscripts for the 8th edition of the prize for emerging writers.
The longlist of 20 works will precede the final shortlist of five works in September, after which the winner will be announced at the annual Quramo Festival (QFest), which has the theme “The Shifting: Empowering Voices… Inspiring Minds”, and aims to highlight the evolving nature of literature and its ability to inspire change.
The 2024 Quramo Festival will take place from October 2nd to 6th at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The winner will receive a cash prize of one million naira and a publishing contract.
Quramo Publishing Ltd’s Editorial Director, Omoteniola Akinwalere, announced the longlisted authors, a diverse group which includes: Adeseri Emmanuella, Martin Chukwumah, Kabir Sabe Jibia, Salome Abiodun Medemaku, Arthur Gabriel Yak, Chukwumah Jonathan Jonathan, Amaka Azie, Sandra Uche Delumozie, Bisola Akintomide, Oyeleye Esther Eniola, Chidi Nwakpa and Henry Chukwuemeka Onyema.
Others include Lawal Ayuba Adewale, Ifeanyi Kalu, Ornguze Nashima Nathaniel, Immaculate Halla, Adikaibe Caleb Chidera, VandefanAondogu Fidelis, Joseph Olamide Babalola and Deryus Kwabena Partey.
The three-person panel of judges reviewing the manuscripts consists of author and Managing Director of Business Development at Narrative Landscape Press, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen; author, editor and Managing Director at Finished Work Enterprises, Ms. Lechi Eke; and author/founder of online cultural news platform TheArtHubNg, Mr. AnoteAjeluorou. They are respected figures in the literary community and will select the final five and the ultimate winner.
The Quramo Writers Prize was launched in 2017 with a prize of 1 million naira. It aims to discover new, unpublished African authors. The winner receives a publishing contract to kick-start their writing career. Each year, the prize begins with a call for submission of a 30,000-word manuscript. This is followed by a long list of 20 authors from which a three-member jury shortlists a five-author selection, which then leads to the announcement of the final winner.
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