Twenty Short Story Writers Make African Human Rights Short Story Prize Longlist

TWENTY SHORT STORY WRITERS MAKE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY PRIZE LONGLIST

 

By: Wole Adedoyin

The African Human Rights Short Story Prize is proud to announce the longlist of its esteemed literary competition. Out of the Seventy English-language submissions received, Twenty Short Story Writers from across Africa have been selected for the longlist. The rigorous process of selecting the longlist was carried out by Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, a renowned literary expert and judge for the competition.

To learn more about Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, please visit his profile at https://ihrafafrica.blogspot.com/2023/01/gabriel-sunday-afolayan-and-tom-block.html.

According to Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, the selected stories, presented in two volumes of a 406-page document, showcase a diverse range of narratives that tackle the intricate themes of human rights in Africa. It is important to note that the longlist is arranged in the sequence of their appearance and not according to their quality, as all the selected works are considered to be of high caliber.

While some entries seemed to have been hastily packaged for the purpose of the competition, lacking proper plot structure, literary devices, and editing, the organizers urge aspiring writers to invest time in honing their craft. The African Human Rights Short Story Prize encourages authors to revise their works, seek expert feedback, and refine their stories to achieve their full potential.

Nonetheless, the longlist serves as a testament to the exceptional talent that Africa possesses. The works presented here demonstrate that African writers, both emerging and established, can rival and surpass their global counterparts with their literary prowess.

The African Human Rights Short Story Prize has consistently been a beacon of light in addressing human rights issues that pervade the African continent. The organizers are commended for their unwavering commitment to promoting human rights through the medium of literature.

Submissions for the competition were received from eight countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, USA, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Pakistan, and Ghana.

As the African Human Rights Short Story Prize progresses, the next phase will see the shortlisting of finalists. The shortlisted stories will undergo further scrutiny.

Find below the complete longlist:

 

1. Diary of a First Daughter By Busayo Fakunle

2. The Libertarian Slave By Timbsara Augustine Laurence

3. Heaven By Patience Bello Peterson

4. At the End of the Rainbow By Olusoji Obebe

5. Caught in the Web By Martha Shigara

6. Water Maid By Victor Damilola Garuba

7. You are a Criminal By Chukwu Sunday Abel

8. She Died in the Midst of Plenty By Nwakpa Gilbert Arinze

9. The Trap of Tradition By Oladele Babajamu

10. Marry Me When I am Older By Chigozie A. Mbadugba

11. Leaks and Stains By Lade Ajayi

12. Dejected By Johanna Ataman

13. Gloom By Idiase Efemena Perpetual

14. I will be Good By Mimi Uguemo Samuel

15. Little Sister By Enitan Abdultawab

16. Untold Woes By Elizabeth Aduragbemi Akinmutola

17. The Head Breaker By Testimony Odeh

18. Bobina By Stephen Adinoyi

19. Barricaded By Isidinma Nnmadi

20. Uncut By Nasiru Munirat Ozohu