The 9mobile Prize for Literature was a literary award established by Etisalat Nigeria in 2013.[1][2] It was the first ever pan-African prize for a debut African novel or short story collection.[3][4] Awarded annually, the prize aimed to discover new literary talent on the continent and promote the African publishing industry. The winner received a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the University of East Anglia.[5]
The 9mobile Prize also sought to support publishers by purchasing 1000 copies of all shortlisted books. The books were donated to schools, book clubs and libraries across the African continent.[3]
The award was initially named the Etisalat Prize for Literature. In 2017, Etisalat Nigeria was rebranded 9mobile[6] and the award name changed accordingly.[7][8]
Entry and prize
The 9mobile Prize for Literature was directed at emerging writers of African citizenship whose first fiction book (of more than 30,000 words) was published in the previous 24 months. All genres were eligible as long as written in English or published in English translation.[9]
The winner of the 9mobile Prize for Literature received £15,000 and a Fellowship at the University of East Anglia where they were mentored by Professor Giles Foden. The winner also was awarded a Samsung Galaxy Note, as were the shortlisted writers, and an engraved MontblancMeisterstück. All of the finalists participated in book tour through three African cities sponsored by 9mobile.
The 9mobile Prize was overseen by a board of patrons composed of literary figures. These included:[10][11]
Margaret Busby, Founding Patron of the 9mobile Prize for LiteratureAma Ata Aidoo, writer, playwright and academic (2013–2018)
From a longlist of nine titles,[12] the shortlist was announced on 23 January 2014.[13][14] The winner was announced on 23 February 2014,[15] and the award ceremony took place on Sunday, 2 March, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.[16]
The longlist was announced in November 2014[19] and the shortlist in December 2014.[20] The winner was announced on Sunday, 15 March 2015, at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, Nigeria.[21][22]
The longlist of nine titles was announced on 23 November 2016[27] and the shortlist of three on 5 January 2017.[28] The winner was announced on 20 May.[29]
Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa), The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)
The founding patrons of the prize, which was established in 2012 as the Etisalat Prize for Literature, announced their resignation from the award in July 2019.[33]
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