Strictly embargoed until 00:01 hours, Thursday 18 February 2010No coverage to appear in print media before Thursday 18 February 2010Press Release 18 February 2010

Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

Opens New Chapter for 14 Authors inAfrica

Internationally recognised for propelling authors into the literary spotlight, the shortlist for theregional winners from Africa has been unveiled in the race to win the influential 2010

Commonwealth Writers’ Prize.

Offering an exceptional opportunity for new writers todemonstrate their talent and for authors already on the literary scene to strengthen theirreputation

–

writers across the region - are in pole position to compete with the best authorsfrom, Caribbean and Canada South Asia and Europe and South East Asia and the Pacific towin the coveted prizes of

the Commonwealth’s

Best Book and Best First Book.The shortlisted writers for

Africa’s

Best Book are:

Trespass

by Dawn Garisch

(South Africa)

The Double Crown

by Marié Heese (South Africa)

The Thing Around Your Neck

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria

)Eyo

by Abidemi Sanusi (Nigeria)

Tsamma Season

by Rosemund Handler (South Africa)

Refuge

by Andrew Brown (South Africa)

Kings of the Water

by Mark Behr (South Africa)

The shortlisted writers for

Africa’

s Best First Book are:

I Do Not Come to You by Chance

by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani (Nigeria)

The Shape of Him

by Gill Schierhout (South Africa)

The Shadow of a Smile

by Kachi Ozumba (Nigeria)

Come Sunday

by Isla Morley (South Africa)

Sleepers Wake

by Alistair Morgan (South Africa)

Jelly Dog Days

by Erica Emdon (South Africa)

Harmattan Rain

by Aysha Harunna Attah (Ghana)

The critically acclaimed Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

is in its 24

year and has a strongtrack record of discovering new international stars. The winners of Best First Book and BestBook will stand alongside some of the biggest names in fiction, including Festus Iyayi, whowon Best Book in 1988 for his book

Heroes

.The Prize is presented by the Commonwealth Foundation with support from the MacquarieGroup Foundation. The final programme, starting on 7 April in Delhi, India will bring togetherthe finalists from the different regions of the Commonwealth, and the two overall winners willbe announced there on 12 April.Commenting today, the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Mark Collins, said:

“The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is distinct

and unique in that the books that win oftenhave strong insight, spirit and voice about the incredible diversity, history and society of theCommonwealth. The Prize aims to reward the best of Commonwealth fiction written inEnglish and in doing so, spots rising talent and creates new literary figures from theCommonwealth.

This is the Prize to watch for tomorrow’s best

sellers.”

David Clarke, Chairman of the Macquarie Group Foundation, the main sponsor of the Prize,added:

“The Commonwealth Writers’

Prize is unique in giving a voice to authors who throw light onevolving social realities. The Macquarie Group Foundation is delighted to be part ofrecognising literary talent from around the world and to help support emerging

writers.”

Dan Ojwang, regional judge for Africa said:

“One of the most remarkable aspects of the entries was the high number that concentrated

on stories of human trafficking, child abuse, sexuality, immigration and growing up underconditions of political repression such as apartheid. Given the exceptional depth and varietyof books submitted for the competition, the panel is convinced that African stories continueto be told in ways that are likely to evoke empathy and enable readers to grasp the others

’

humanity.

”

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