The literary prize is open to cis, trans, and genderqueer Black women writers and will begin accepting submissions on October 26, 2023.
By Hope Ibiale
Nigeria’s notable publishing agency, Cassava Republic Press, has announced the launch of the Black Women Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize. The literary prize is open to cis, trans, and genderqueer Black women writers and will begin accepting submissions on October 26, 2023.
The writer with the winning unpublished non-fiction manuscript will receive a publishing contract with Cassava Republic Press and a cash prize of $20,000. Two runner-ups also get a publishing deal and a cash prize of $5,000.
(Read also: Nancy Adimora Set to Launch Publishing Consultancy and Studio, OtherStories)
In an official statement released by the publishing director of Cassava Republic Press, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, she said, “We take immense pride in launching the Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize as we take steps to address a long-overlooked gap in the literary world. The prize builds on the long tradition of Black women writers as theorists and intellectuals, and provides a platform for a range of writers from Africa and the Afro-diaspora to follow in the footsteps of luminaries such as Anna Julia Cooper, Amy Jacques Garvey, Claudia Jones, Noni Jabavu, Audre Lorde, May Ayim, Ellen Khuzwayos, bell hooks, and Toni Morrison who have come before.”
The soon-to-be-announced panel of judges of the prize will include Black female writers and scholars from Africa and the African diaspora.
Interested applicants can get more information here.