Afritondo Short Story Prize 2022

Afritondo Short Story Prize, being one of the most anticipated literary competitions for African writers has been announced open for submissions.

Afritondo Short Story Prize 2022: How To Submit

Afritondo Short Story Prize, being one of the most anticipated literary competitions for African writers has been announced open for submissions. Interested African writers who wants to submit to the contest should read below and follow the guidelines for submissions.

Also Read: The Island Prize For African Writers 2022/23

The Themes Of The Afritondo Short Story Prize 2022

This year, we want writers to respond to the theme of “aliens”: unfamiliar things, unfamiliar people, how they are received and lived with or rejected, how they change families, communities, societies. 

We are looking for stories that surprise us, that take risks with imagination and language. Feel free to give the theme your own personal interpretation. A good story for our prize will offer unique insight into the theme and explore characters in refreshing and imaginative ways.

Deadline: December 16, 2022.

Prizes For The Afritondo Short Story Prize 2022

The winner will receive a cash prize of $1000.

 Four other shortlisted writers will get $100 each. 

The longlist will be published in an anthology.

The 2022 Prize was won by Howard Meh-Buh Maximus for his story, Grotto, published in the anthology Rain Dance.

The 2021 Prize was won by Desta Haile for her story, Ethio-Cubano, published in the anthology The Hope, The Prayer, The Anthem.

The 2020 Prize was won by Jarred Thompson for his story, Good Help is Hard to Find, published in the anthology Yellow Means Stay

Judges For The Afritondo Short Story Prize

This year’s edition will be judged by Doreen Baingana, Ayesha Harruna Attah, and Efemia Chela.

 Eligibility Requirements For Afritondo Short Story Prize 2022

1.      You may only submit an entry if you meet any of the following eligibility requirements:

i.             You are a citizen or national of an African country;

ii.            One of your parents is a national of an African country;

iii.           You identify as Black or African or belong to an African or Black minority population anywhere in the world.

For any questions on eligibility, please send an email to  admin@afritondo.com. 

2.      Submissions must be made before the stated deadline. Any submission after the deadline will be disregarded.

3.      Submissions must be in English.

4.      Submissions must reflect the theme.

5.      Only one submission per writer is allowed.

6.      The submission, including the title, must be between 3000 and 5000 words.

7.      The submission should be in Microsoft Word (doc, docx) and in the following format:

·        Double-spaced, Times New Roman or Calibri font, 12-point size

·        The title of the story should appear at the top of the first page followed by the word count. No further information is required.

·        Every page must be numbered.

8.      The author’s name or detail must not be included anywhere on the document to be uploaded. The document must contain only the title, word count, and story. All entries are judged anonymously.

9.      Submission is accepted only via email. Entries should be sent to submissions@afritondo.com. 

The subject of the email should read: Submission for Afritondo Short Story Prize 2023. The filename of the entry (i.e., the attached document) must be the title of the short story. In the body of the email tell us, briefly, about yourself, including such information as your legal name, country of residence, age, and contact details.

10.   Entries must not have been previously published or shortlisted for another prize. Also, entries published or shortlisted during the judging or publishing process will be disqualified.

11.   Entrants agree as a condition of entry that the prize organisers may publicise the fact that a story has been entered, longlisted, or shortlisted for the prize.

12.   By submitting an entry, the author agrees to its inclusion in an anthology should it be selected by the judges, and to work with editors to get the story ready for publication.

13.   By submitting an entry, the author attests that it is their original work and grants exclusive global print and digital rights to Afritondo Press should the entry be longlisted or selected for publication in the anthology. The copyright remains with the author.

14.   The decisions of the judges in relation to the winning entries are final and not subject to appeal.

15.   Shortlisted writers will be expected to submit their pictures and other information necessary for publicising the prize on social and other media.

16.   Shortlisted writers will be expected to take part in publicity activities such as interviews.

Site Official Page