New African Writers to Compete for Caine Prize

On January 23 AuthorMe.com, the international website for writers, nominated 19 writers for the Caine Prize for African Writing. A startling variety of stories was submitted, recognizing writers from Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

(PRWEB) January 23, 2005 -- On January 20 AuthorMe.com, the international website for writers, nominated 19 writers for the Caine Prize for African Writing. A startling variety of stories were submitted, recognizing writers from Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

The Caine Prize for African Writing was established in 2000 at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair. Sir Michael Caine, former Chairman of Booker plc, was Chairman of Africa 95, and Chairman of the Booker Prize management committee for almost 25 years.

More than a typical writers contest, the Caine Prize has become the worlds best venue for fiction stories by emerging African writers. They speak in a unique voice and represent experiences sure to arrest the worlds attention.

The submissions include excellent stories by Nmachi Nwokeabia (Nigeria), Oba Adebayo-Begun (Nigeria), Glaydah Namukasa (Uganda) , Blessing Musariri (Zimbabwe), Uchechukwu Agodom (Nigeria), John Oryem (Sudan), Chika Onuoha (Nigeria),
Valentine Ukachukwu Umelo (Nigeria), Steve Ogah (Nigeria), Anietie Isong (Nigeria), Gracious Changaya (Malawi), David L. Lukudu (Sudan),
Eyitemi Egwuenu (Nigeria), Mazi Guinness (Nigeria), Nyankami Miroro Atandi (Kenya), Valentine Ukachukwu Umelo (Nigeria), Stanley Onjezani Kenani (Malawi), Dennis Ezechukwu (Nigeria),and Fungai James Tichawangana (Zimbabwe).

Writers cannot submit stories directly to the prize committee. Instead, their works must have been published in the form of a book, magazine, or Internet magazine like AuthorMe.com.

AuthorMes Editorial Director, Kathy S. Hartwell, M.A., of Mountain State University, refers to the prize as a light of hope in a continent darkened with wars and the rumors of wars." According to Kathy, This beam radiates from talented African writers to enlighten the world for a peaceful tomorrow. The African writers experiences accounted in these manuscripts exemplify the adage 'the pen is mightier than the sword.

Therefore, it is with great pleasure that these manuscripts are displayed," says Kathy. They contain the essences human beings are to emulate--innocence, forgiveness, and love. Africa is in the process of becoming the cornerstone on which the entire world will learn to live in harmony. For that reason, these writings should be recognized, and preserved, for their inner perspectives for peace."

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