SOURCE: NIGERIA SUN

The longlist for the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature has been released. In a statement signed by the Jury Chair, Henry Akubuiro, on behalf of the panel comprising Nneoma Otuegbe, Tatiana Cassiano, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, Javier Gutierrez Lozano, Debbie Edwards and Masande Ntshanga, stated that over 80 entries were received from African writers spread across East, West, Central and Southern Africa

“The jury is impressed with the overall quality of entries recorded this year, a reflection of the diversity of Africa’s storytelling tradition. The stories by these talented novelists pay witness to the postcolonial African condition, mystery and subaltern lives, told with flair and panache.

“In delving into realities beyond the familiar, some of these narratives leave the reader awestruck in a manner that reminds us that the next generation of ingenious African storytellers is waiting in the wings, if not here already,” said Akubuiro.

The 11 longlisted writers for the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature include, in no particular order:

Black Fractures in Exile by Limpho Sechele

Bolga by Bus by G.A. Agambila

The Night Wing by Oluwaseun Beatrice Wende

Kindred Beyond by Chidubem Iweka

A Dangerous Job for a Woman – Pat Brickhill

Girl Generation by Zainab Suileman

The Legend of Beach House by Peter Ngila Njeri

The Remnant by Tariro Ndoro

Ominla by Taofeek Olatunbosun

Akala by William Moore

Azogini by Chuks Iloegbunam

A shortlist of 5, he said, would be announced on August 20th, 2023, while the winner would be announced on September 3, 2023, in Oxford at the James Currey Literary Festival, taking place from September 1-3, 2023.