Quramo Releases 2023 Literary Prize Longlist

Quramo Writer’s Prize has released its 2023 Literary Prize Longlist recently in Lagos.

Established in 2017, the annual prize aimed at stimulating a new breed of African writers, awards one, unpublished author of African descent, a million naira cash prize, alongside a publishing contract as a kickstart to their writing career.

The prize begins with calls for 30,000 words (novel) manuscript submissions earlier in the year, followed by a longlist of 20 writers, then a shortlist of five, and the announcement of a winner at the annual Quramo Festival (QFest).

Selected to the longlist this year are: Husna Yussif, Obinna Paul Ezeodili, Oluwasegun Odetola, Chidi Nwakpa, Emmanuel Chukwunweike Monyei, Zainab U. Imam, Bisola Faith Akintomide, Muhajid Ameen Lilo, Chiziterem Chijioke, David Vera Sorochi, Grace Aggrey-Fynn and Ishaokanyie Otogbo. Others are, Sandra Uche Delumozie, Adejuwon Akande, Truth Bakare, Uduak Alphonsus Ikono, Chike Ibekwe, Darius Kwabena Partey, Chikezie Onwumere and Chimezie Agumbah.

To review the manuscripts are a three-man jury comprising, author and Executive Director of Business Development at Narrative Landscape Press, Dr. Eghosa Imaseun; author, book editor and Chief Executive Officer of book printing and promoting outfit, Finished Work Enterprises, Lechi Eke, and author, former Arts and Political Editor at the Guardian Newspaper and founder online arts news platform, Anotearhub, Mr Anote Ajeluorou.

Unveiled at the event, the jury members who were handed over the 20 manuscripts for review will produce the shortlist of five in September, while the winner will be announced at the 2023 Quramo Festival scheduled to hold October 4 to 8, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, with the theme Connecting The Dots.

The Quramo Writers Prize is sponsored by the Quramo Festival, founded by publisher, Mrs Gbemi Shasore.