ALSO READ: Chimamanda Adichie elected into American Academy of Arts and Science

Alongside her most recent publication, Dear Ijeawele, Or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, Adichie has written a good number of good reads and has received over 15 awards for her work and is now adding another notch on her belt.

The McCarthy award which is named after famous novelist Mary McCarthy who taught at Bard for a year, is given in acknowledgement of engagement in the public sphere by an intellectual, artist, or writer and Adichie who is recognised for her brilliantly written novels and her captivating public persona  was recently awarded, making her the first Nigerian to receive such prestigious award.

Some other notable recipients of the award are Margaret Atwood (the author of The Handmaid’s Tale), Zadie Smith, Mona Simpson, and Susan Sontag.

The Mary McCarthy Prize in short fiction includes a $2,000 cash award, publication of a collection of short stories or novella and a standard royalty contract.