Earlier today, the shortlist for the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize was released and we’re very excited.
Now in its ninth year, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded annually for the best piece of unpublished short fiction from the Commonwealth. Out of the 5,107 entries received from 49 Commonwealth countries, 20 unique stories made the final cut with five (5) from Africa; two from Nigeria, one from Ghana, one from South Africa and one from The Gambia, which is happening for the first time.
A summary of the African shortlist:
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‘Rites Evasion Maneuvers’ by Caleb Ozovehe Ajinomoh (Nigeria) – Three brothers turn tricks at their father’s funeral.
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‘The Dawning’ by Aba Asibon (Ghana) – A housekeeper works to balance the mourning of her beloved employer with carrying out her domestic duties, the most challenging of which is the nurturing of her dejected madam.
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‘When a Woman Renounces Motherhood’ by Innocent Chizaram Ilo (Nigeria) – A woman and her mother bond in the face of a sexist tradition.
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‘Fatou vs. the Dictator’ by ML Kejera (The Gambia) – Fatou, a young woman raised in The G’s diaspora, is in an airport awaiting her flight home. She comes across her recently ousted dictator and debates whether she should confront him.
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‘The Faraway Things’ by Alboricah Tokologo Rathupetsane (South Africa) – This story is a journey of life through Lesedi’s eyes, a young boy whose mental limitations have prevented him from accepting a tragic event in his life.
Ghanaian writer and editor Nii Ayikwei Parkes, who is the Chair of the Judges, had this to say about the shortlist:
“The result of the time we’ve spent indulging in the submissions to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize is a shortlist of 20 unique stories. These stories, drawn from all over the globe, are as harrowing as they are uplifting, funny while being tragic—and defiant in the face of politics, bigotry, and injustice. But, crucially, at a time like this, with the world beset with myriad challenges and a devastating virus, the stories are grounded in faith, hope and the humanity we all share.”
A big congratulations to everyone on the list, they’re all winners irrespective of who gets crowned regional and overall winners come June 2nd and July 7th, respectively.
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the regional winner is £2,500 and £5,000 for the overall winner.
Click HERE to see the full shortlist.
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