The Caine Prize for African Writing is an annual literary prize awarded to an African writer of a short story published in English.
Application deadline: 31 January 2021.
*Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be changes to the usual submission dates and processes, please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates.
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible countries: African countries
About the Award: The Caine Prize for African Writing is a literature prize awarded to an African writer of a short story published in English. The prize was launched in 2000 to encourage and highlight the richness and diversity of African writing, bringing it to a wider audience internationally. The focus on the short story reflects the contemporary development of the African storytelling tradition.
Type: Competitions
Eligibility:
- Unpublished work is not eligible for the Caine Prize.
- Submissions should only be made by editors.
- Only fictional works are eligible.
- Only one story per author will be considered in a year.
- Submissions must specify which African country the author comes from and the word count.
- We require 6 copies of the work in its originally published version.
- If the work is published in a book or magazine, we would like to receive at least one copy of the book/magazine and five photocopies; but particularly where several stories are submitted from an anthology we would, if possible, like to receive six copies of the book/magazine itself.
- If the work is published online, we would like to receive six photocopies.
Please note that works that do not conform to the criteria will not be considered for the prize. Please don't waste your own time and postage sending in unsuitable material. Works not eligible for entry include children's stories, factual writing, plays, biography, works under 3000 words and unpublished works. If you are unsure whether your work is eligible, please email us for advice.
Number of prizewinners: 5
Value of the Competition: Winning and short-listed authors will be invited to attend writers' workshops in Africa, London and elsewhere as resource leave. There is a cash prize of £10,000 for the winning author and a travel award for each short-listed candidate (up to five in total). Shortlisted candidates will also receive a £500 prize. The winner is also invited to three literature festivals in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
How to apply: There is no application form. To apply, send six original published copies of the work for consideration to the office of the Caine Prize, including a letter from the publisher.
- If the work is published in a book or magazine, we would like to receive at least one copy of the book/magazine and five photocopies; but particularly where several stories are submitted from an anthology we would, if possible, like to receive six copies of the book/magazine itself.
- If published in a magazine or journal, we will accept one original copy plus five photocopies, but we prefer six original copies.
- If the work is published online, we would like to receive six printed copies.
- Address and post the eligible submission to:
The Caine Prize
African Writing
51 Southwark Street London
SE1 1RU
Visit the competition page for details
