African poets, unpublished in full-length collections, can submit without fees. The program offers a $1000 prize and book publication. Submit by Dec 1.
About the Opportunity
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry aims to recognize and support emerging African poets who have not yet published a collection of poetry. The program is made possible through the generosity of philanthropists Laura and Robert F. X. Sillerman, facilitating the establishment of the African Poetry Book Series.
- Theme/Objective:
- Encourage and recognize African poets who have not published a poetry collection.
Who Can Apply
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets exclusively considers submissions from African writers who have not previously published a full-length poetry collection.
This eligibility criterion extends to self-published books, provided they have been made available for sale online, in stores, or at literary readings.
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Students | Open to students who have not published a book-length poetry collection. |
| Professionals | Open to professionals who meet the specified eligibility criteria. |
| Age Restriction | No specific age restriction mentioned. |
| Country/Region | Open to individuals born in Africa, nationals or residents of an African country, or those with African parents. |
| Academic Requirement | No specific academic requirement mentioned. |
| Other Criteria | Submission must be the poet’s first book-length collection. |
| Restrictions | Past or present paid employees of specified entities or current faculty, students, or employees at the University of Nebraska are ineligible. |
Timeline
Submissions are accepted annually between September 15th and December 1st.
Award
The winner of the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry receives:
- USD $1000 cash prize.
- Book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion in Senegal.
Entry Fee
No entry fee is required to submit to the contest.
FAQ
- Q: Can self-published books be submitted?
- A: Yes, self-published books are eligible if they were sold online, in stores, or at readings.
- Q: What does “African writer” mean?
- A: An African writer includes someone born in Africa, a national or resident of an African country, or with African parents.
- Q: Can translated work be submitted?
- A: Yes, translated poetry is accepted, with a percentage of the prize awarded to the translator.
- Q: Are there specific formatting rules for submissions?
- A: While no specific rules are provided, it is suggested to submit manuscripts in Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font, single-spaced, with one poem per page. The author’s name should not appear on the manuscript.
- Q: How many manuscripts can one writer submit?
- A: Eligible writers may submit more than one manuscript.
- Q: Who is ineligible for the prizes?
- A: Past or present paid employees of the University of Nebraska Press, Akashic Books, or Amalion Press, and current faculty, students, or employees at the University of Nebraska.
More Information
- Target Participants Anyone, Students, Professionals
- Award Type Prize-money
- Program Frequency Yearly