Submissions open 1 July 2017* | Submissions close 31 July 2017
First prize: $800 | Second prize: $200 | Third prize: $100
Short Story Day Africa's theme for 2017 is "ID". This year, we're looking for innovative short fiction that explores identity, especially (but not limited to) the themes of gender identity and sexuality.
In early psychoanalysis, the "Id" was postulated as being one of three aspects of personality, and the only one over which we have no control. Often hidden and home to the unconscious, the Id is the core of the self, our instinctual nature, our deepest desires. The I before ego, the earliest version of ourselves, the who we are before we have had time to be.
In modern Africa, our identities are too often defined for us and not by us, trapped by society, biology and history. In 2017, we hope to see work that seeks to break and redefine the strictures put onto our identities, as individuals and as peoples. Fiction that looks beyond the boundaries of expectation, and peers into the truest definitions of ourselves.
The Short Story Day Africa Prize is an African writing prize open to African citizens, permanent residents of African countries, or second generation Africans living in the diaspora only. Unpublished works between 3000-5000 words in response to the theme are eligible for the prize.
1st prize R10 000 (approx US$500)
2nd prize R2 000 (approx US$125)
3rd prize R1 000 (approx US$60)
In addition three emerging writers will receive a 20 week online creative writing course. These will be selected from the long list or slush pile.
The twenty-one long listed stories will be published in the annual Short Story Day Africa anthology, and selected stories entered into The Caine Prize for African Writing (£10 000).
Remember to delete any identifying marks on your submission before uploading your story.
Remember that the file name of your uploaded entry MUST BE the title of your short story. If it is untitled, use the first line of your short story. DO NOT give your story the same name as the theme, the project or any abbreviation thereof, or your name.
APPLY HERE >>> AFRICA DAY SHORT PRIZE AWARD
Required Manuscript Format
Type your document, using a single, clear font, 12-point size, double-spaced. The easiest font to use is Times New Roman, or a similar serif font.
Put the title of your story at the top of the first page. Please give your story an original title. Please DO NOT title your story ID, SSDA Story or any similar version of such. Start your story immediately below the title.
Put an accurate word count at the top right.
Please number the pages.
Left-justify your paragraphs.
Ensure there is at least a 1 inch or 2 centimetre margin all the way around your text.
Indent each new paragraph by about 1/2 inch or 1 centimetre, except for the first line of the story or the first line of a new scene. Please use the indent function of your programme, not multiple spaces or tabs.
Don’t insert extra lines between your paragraphs. A blank line indicates a new scene.
Put the word “End” after the end of your text, centred, on its own line.
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