Building on the successes of previous editions, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter)—the literary body that hosts the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture—invites submissions of quality poems and essays from writers worldwide for the 9th edition of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology.
This annual anthology is a
collection of poems and essays published in honor of the late Prof. Chinua
Achebe, a foremost Nigerian literary legend and the father of modern African literature.
The prestigious anthology will, as always, be unveiled at the 9th Chinua Achebe
Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, scheduled for November 16, 2024, at the
Anambra State Central E-Library (Prof. Kenneth Dike Central E-Library) in Awka,
southeastern Nigeria.
According to Izunna Okafor, the Editor-in-Chief of the anthology and Project Coordinator, who also coordinates the Society of Young Nigerian Writers in Anambra State, the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture is an annual event that celebrates Achebe's life, works, contributions, and legacies.
The event was initiated in 2016
and is held annually on Achebe’s birthdate, November 16. The 8th edition of the
anthology, Anthills of Words, was unveiled at the 2023 festival.
“To mark this year’s festival
in a more remarkable and memorable way, we call on both emerging and
established writers from around the world to submit their quality,
thematically-written poems and essays for this ninth anthology," Okafor
stated.
"The anthology is in honor
of Prof. Chinua Achebe, and only entries related to or revolving around Achebe,
his works, literary prowess, and legacies will be accepted for publication,” he
added.
SUBMISSION
GUIDELINES/RULES:
Only poems and essays/reviews
are accepted for the anthology.
Entrants must specify the genre
of their entry (poetry or essay/review).
The poems and essays/reviews
must be related to Achebe, his personality, works, literary feats, life, or
legacies.
Essays should be concise—no
more than 500 words, and poems should be no longer than 20 lines. Submissions
exceeding these limits may be disqualified.
Include the author’s contact
information—location, phone number, email address, and a brief bio (maximum 40
words).
Submission is free and open to
writers worldwide.
Entries must be the original
work of the author/poet. Plagiarized works will be disqualified and exposed.
Only one entry per person is
allowed.
The title of the work is up to
the author, but it must align with the theme.
Send entries to [email protected]
and copy [email protected].
The subject of the email should
be: “9TH CHINUA ACHEBE ESSAY/POETRY ANTHOLOGY (SPECIFY GENRE).” Example: “9TH
CHINUA ACHEBE ESSAY/POETRY ANTHOLOGY (POETRY).”
Entries and titles must be
typed in the body of the email, not as attachments. Entries submitted as
attachments will be disqualified.
Submission deadline: September
30, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Entries can be submitted in
either English or Igbo.
BENEFITS:
All accepted poems and essays
will be published in both soft and hard copies of the 9th Chinua Achebe
Poetry/Essay Anthology.
Media promotion of published
entries and authors.
All published entrants will
receive a Certificate of Participation.
Each published entrant will
receive a copy of the anthology.
The authors/poets of the top 10
essays and poems will receive special recognition and a Certificate of Award at
the 2024 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture.
Automatic free membership in
the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (for accepted Nigerian entrants).
For inquiries, contact:
+2348163938812 (Izunna Okafor,
Editor-in-Chief).
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