Macmillan awards writers

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - Six young African writers have been short listed for the Macmillan Writer's Prize for Africa, a statement said on Monday in Accra.

The Macmillan Writers Prize for Africa actively promotes the very best in unpublished African fiction for children and young people between ages eight and 17.

The fiction stories of the six writers selected from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia and Uganda were picked out of a total of about 600 entries received this year from 19 countries across the Continent and others currently residents overseas. In the statement, the Chair of Judges of the Prize, Meshack Asare described the entries as "a wonderful response to this ongoing competition, with a number of the manuscripts showing real potential, adding that, judging was once again challenging but an enjoyable and worthwhile privilege".

In recognition of the potential of the writers, and at the request of all the judges, Macmillan would be profiling best entries from individual countries and writing to a number of entrants individually. The statement also announced the shortlist for the Macmillan Children's Illustrator Award for Africa, a new competition, which was launched in January in recognition of the importance of pictures in children's books.

The winner of the illustrators' prize receives 1,000 dollars and would have the opportunity to work with Macmillan Education illustrating their acclaimed children's books. From a 100 entries, six children, two each from Ghana, and Nigeria, and one each from South Africa and Tanzania have been chosen for the children's illustrator award.

Winners of both awards would be announced on January 16, 2006 along with presentation and publication details with the best manuscript listed in the press and featured on the website in January.