Leading Nigerian publishing house, Cassava Republic Press, is calling Black women writers around the world to send in submissions for its inaugural Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize worth $30,000 in cash prizes..
This prize is dedicated to exceptional works by Black women (cis, trans and genderqueer). It represents a first in the world of Black women’s letters, not only by virtue of its global scope, but also its non-fiction focus, and its generous prize value. The primary objective of the award is to publish emerging and established Black women writers and thinkers from across the world, focusing on critical ideas across time and space. At the heart of this prize lies a deep commitment to amplifying the long tradition of Black women writers as knowledge-makers and critical thinkers.
Cassava Republic is looking to publish and champion Black women writers who bridge the gap between “creativity” and “theory” with work that is both rigorous and beautiful, creative and thoughtful. Straightforward memoirs are not eligible, but manuscripts that incorporate theory with personal essays/experiences within a broader context will be considered.
The winner of the Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize will receive a $20,000 advance and a publishing contract with Cassava Republic Press. Two runner-up writers will each receive a $5000 advance and publication by Cassava Republic Press, bringing the total prize value up to $30,000.
“We take immense pride in launching the Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize as we take steps to addressing a long-overlooked gap in the literary world. The prize builds on the long tradition of Black women writers as theorists and intellectuals, and provide 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, Ellen Khuzwayo, May Ayim, Toni Morrison and bell hooks, who have come before”, said Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Publishing Director at Cassava Republic Press, announcing the launch of the Prize.
The manuscript prize, open to Black women writers aged 18 and over living anywhere in the world is sponsored by Alitheia Capital, the largest woman-owned impact investing private equity firm in Africa, and Open Society Foundation Africa.
Submissions should include five sample chapters and a pitch letter, which should include a synopsis and a full outline of all chapters. Longlisted authors will then be given a week to submit full manuscripts.
Cassava Republic Press was founded at Abuja, Nigeria in 2006, and has established itself as one of the most successful publishers in Africa. It has published some of the continent’s finest authors, including Chigozie Obioma (whose novel The Fishermen was short-listed for the 2015 Man Booker Prize), Elnathan John (whose debut novel Born On A Tuesday won a Betty Trask Award in 2017 and was shortlisted for the Republic Of Consciousness Prize), and Ayesha Harruna Attah.
Applications for the Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize close at 23:59GMT on June 30th 2024. To learn more, click here: