8 Nigerians make 2018 Brittle Paper Award shortlist

Eight Nigerians in a list of 31 writers have made the 2018 Brittle Paper Award shortlist. These include Sarah Ladipo Manyika for ‘On Meeting Toni Morrison’, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo for ‘How to Gossip About African Writing in Geneva’, Kola Tubosun for ‘A House for Mr Soyinka’, Itiola Jones for ‘A Field, any Field’, and Chisom Okafor […]

Eight Nigerians in a list of 31 writers have made the 2018 Brittle Paper Award shortlist.

These include Sarah Ladipo Manyika for ‘On Meeting Toni Morrison’, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo for ‘How to Gossip About African Writing in Geneva’, Kola Tubosun for ‘A House for Mr Soyinka’, Itiola Jones for ‘A Field, any Field’, and Chisom Okafor for ‘I Like to Think I’d Yet Manage to Weave Words into Poems’.

Others are Chika Unigwe for ‘Why I No Longer Use the Term ‘Game’ for Bushmeat’, Tochukwu Emmanuel Okafor for ‘All Our Lives’, and Alaaka Tobi for ‘Facebook Writers and Other Trivia’.

The list is in five categories, including fiction (worth $200), poetry ($200), essays and thin pieces ($200), creative nonfiction ($200), and Anniversary Award ($300).

The award was established in 2017 to recognize the finest, original pieces of writing by Africans published online. It draws attention to literary innovation in the 21st century. The 31 shortlisted pieces were published online between 31 July 2017 and 31 August 2018 and available for free. Selection was based on aesthetics, formal innovation, significance, and impact. Preference was given to work that inspired readers to see African writing differently while kindling important conversations and debates.

All 5 shortlists reflect the state of contemporary African literature. They explore questions of history, race, power, privilege, contemporary poetry, photography, and push the boundaries on style, form, and genre.

The key decisions on shortlists and winners are made by Brittle Paper’s core editorial team, consisting of Dr. Ainehi Edoro, Assistant Professor of English at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Otosirieze Obi-Young, fiction writer and literary journalist based in Nigeria.

Brittle Paper is a literary platform dedicated to African writing and literary culture. The website covers latest news and updates on publications, authors, events, prizes, and lifestyle.

The winners will be announced on Monday, November 19, 2018.