Five writers have been announced as the shortlisted candidates for the 2018 Caine Prize for African Writing. The list includes:
- Makena Onjerika (Kenya) for Fanta Blackcurrant
- Nonyelum Ekwempu (Nigeria) for American Dream
- Stacy Hardy (South Africa) for Involution
- Olufunke Ogundimu (Nigeria) for The Armed Letter Writers
- Wole Talabi (Nigeria) for Wednesday’s Story
The winner will receive a £10,000 prize (approx. Ksh.1,357,462) while the other shortlisted candidates will each receive £500 (approx. Ksh. 67,872). The award ceremony and dinner will be held at the University of London on Monday 2nd July 2018. Additionally, the shortlisted stories will be published in June in New Internationalist’s 2018 Caine Prize anthology, Redemption Song, and through co-publishers in 16 African countries.
Kenyan writers who have previously won the award include: Binyavanga Wainaina (2002), Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (2003) and Okwiri Oduor (2014).
History of The Caine Prize for African Writing
The Caine Prize, is awarded annually for African creative writing. It is named in honor of the late Sir Michael Caine, former Chairman of Booker plc and Chairman of the Booker Prize management committee for nearly 25 years. The Prize is awarded for a short story by an African writer published in English (3,000 to 10,000 words).