Deadline: 28 September 2012 (12nn)
The National Book Development Council of Kenya (NBDCK) in partnership with the Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE) and with the generous support of a Canadian patron, Mr. Bill Burt, have the pleasure to invite Kenyan-based and duly registered publishers to submit engaging story-based manuscripts for the youth (12 – 15 years old) to be considered for the 2013 Burt Award for African Literature.
OBJECTIVES OF THE AWARD:
- To support and motivate the development of supplementary reading materials in both primary and secondary schools.
- To stimulate and support the Kenyan publishing industry and contribute to the literary wealth of Kenyan literature.
- To recognize excellence in literature for youth.
- To publish stories which strengthen the English language skills of the youth and help foster enthusiasm and a love for reading.
- To increase the stock of English reading materials in school and community libraries.
1. Eligible entries must be in manuscript form, and submitted by publishers only.
2. The quality of content shall be the overriding criterion. The story should:
- Be written in English.
- Be between 30,000 to 40,000 words (approximately 90 to 120 pages).
- Be prose fiction in chapter form, containing content and language appropriate for ages 12-15 years old.
- Demonstrate a solid command of English through a clear cohesive language and proper sentence structure, vocabulary and punctuation.
- Be thought-provoking and original with an excellent story telling style e.g. strong imagery, lively dialogue, and vivid description to arouse young readers’ interest and curiosity and keep them turning pages.
- Have a strong literary merit including: (i) Engaging characters with whom young readers can identify A well-developed plot with a good flow of events, and (ii) The effective use of literary devices.
- Reflect current issues and challenges of concern to contemporary Kenya.
4. Six non-returnable, spiral-bound copies of the submitted title(s), accompanied by an entry form and entry fee must be delivered to the undersigned not later than 12.00 noon, Friday 28th September 2012. A summary of the work and reasons for its suitability must be submitted together with the entry form (download the entry form from the NBDCK website).
5. The submission cost is Kshs. 10,000 per title. Payment should be through a banker’s cheque payable to National Book Devt Council of Kenya.
6. The decision of the Burt Award for African Literature jury will be final. Only publishers with shortlisted titles will be notified.
MODALITY OF SUBMISSION: Electronic format, accompanied by six (6) spiral-bound hard copies of each submitted title. Strong contenders only. The soft copies should be sent to info@nationalbookcouncilkenya.org, while the hard copies should be delivered at the NBDCK offices, Suite No.3, Pittaway Building, Ralph Bunche Road (off Ngong Road, next to Prof. Nelson Awori Building).
THE AWARDS:
- 1st Prize - CAD$ 9,000
- 2nd Prize - CAD$ 7,000
- 3rd Prize - CAD$ 5,000
Download: entry form
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: info@nationalbookcouncilkenya.org
For submissions: The National Book Development Council of Kenya, P.O. Box 10904 - 00100, NAIROBI, KENYA
Website: www.nationalbookcouncilkenya.org