Elnathan John, 2 other Nigerian authors made the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature longlist

The longlist for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature was unveiled at the opening of the 2016 Ake Arts and Book Festival. Only 3 Nigerian authors made the list.

While revealing the longlist, director, brands & experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye said that Etisalat has a huge commitment to literature and the promotion of creative endeavors like arts and photography.

“We are delighted to support Ake Arts & Book Festival again this year because it is literary inclined and it aligns with our vision of promoting people’s passion, nurturing talents and providing platforms that enable Africans to communicate their ideas and tell their own stories,” he said.

“The Etisalat Prize for Literature wholly embodies our company’s vision, which is to promote and celebrate writers of African descent in order to give credence and honour to ‘home-grown’ talents while encouraging further participation in this area,” he added.

The judges now have the task of selecting a shortlist of three to be announced in December.

The shortlisted writers will go on a multi-city sponsored tour to be announced in December 2015 and will also have 1,000 copies of their books purchased by Etisalat for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the Continent.

The winner of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be awarded a cash prize of £15,000  (7.5 Million Naira) and will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, award-winning author of The Last King of England at the University of East Anglia.

Previous winners include No Violet Bulawayo, Songeziwe Mahlangu and Fiston Mwanza Mujila.

The Nigerian authored books on this list deserve a win and we wish them all the very best.

See longlist below:

Julie Iromuanya (Nigerian) — Mr. and Mrs. Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA),

Elnathan John (Nigeria) —  Born on a Tuesday (Cassava Republic, Nigeria),

Jowhor Ile (Nigeria) — And After Many Days  (Farafina an imprint of Kachifo Limited, Nigeria),

Mohale Mashigo  (South Africa) — The Yearning (PanMacmillan, South Africa),

Nakhane Toure (South Africa) — Piggy Boy’s Blues (Blackbird Books imprint of Jacana Media, SA),

Jen Thorpe (South Africa) — The Peculiars (Penguin Random House, USA),

Unathi Magubeni (South Africa) — Nwezelenga: The Star Child (Black Bird Books Imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa).

Andrew Miller (South Africa)— Dub Steps  (Jacana Media, South Africa),

Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa) — The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)

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