The Brunel University African Poetry Prize (in Partnership with Commonwealth Writers of the Commonwealth Foundation) is open to poets who were born in Africa, or who are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are African who have not had a full-length poetry book published.
The closing date for the 2014 award is November 30, 2013. Entries should be emailed to BUAPP@brunel.ac.uk
Now in its second year, the £3,000 prize is sponsored by Brunel University and Commonwealth Writers. The award, for a collection of 10 poems written in English, is aimed at the development, celebration and promotion of poetry from Africa.
Poets who may have published their entries as separate poems elsewhere and writers who have self-published poetry books, or had chapbooks and pamphlets published, are eligible. Translated poetry is welcome and a percentage of the prize will be awarded to the translator.
British-Nigerian writer, Bernardine Evaristo, who teaches creative writing at Brunel University, in London, said:
"We should to encourage a new generation of poets who might one day become an international presence. African poets are rarely published in Britain, so I hope this prize will introduce new poets to Britain's poetry editors."
The leading British journal of international writing, Wasafiri, will publish the winner's work. Similar arrangements will be pursued with other major literary journals in the United Kingdom and America. Prairie Schooner, one of the leading literary magazines in America has also agreed to publish some of winning poems.
Somali poet Warsan Shire was the first winner of the prize in April 2013.
Find out more on the African Poetry Prize website