Commonwealth Writers: A World of New Fiction

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in 2011, the Commonwealth Foundation re-launched its prizes to form part of Commonwealth Writers.

The prizes act as catalysts to target and identify talented writers from different regions who will go on to inspire and inform their local communities.

Commonwealth Writers – a World of New Fiction – is an ongoing cultural programme within the Commonwealth Foundation which develops, connects and inspires writers.  By awarding prizes and running on-the-ground activities, it works in partnership with international literary organisations, the wider cultural industries and civil society to help writers develop their craft in the fifty four countries of the Commonwealth.

www.commonwealthwriters.org is a forum where members from anywhere in the world can exchange ideas and contribute to debates.

The prizes awarded by Commonwealth Writers are:

·         The Commonwealth Book Prize which is open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2011. The overall winner receives £10,000. Regional winners will have previously received £2,500.

·         The Commonwealth Short Story Prize which is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000-5000 words). The overall winner receives £5,000. Regional winners will have previously received £1,000

Timetable:

·         24 April Commonwealth Book Prize and Commonwealth Short Story Prize longlist announced to UK and International media – 20 books and 20 short stories

·         22 May Commonwealth Book Prize and Commonwealth Short Story Prize regional winners announced to UK and International media (Regions are Africa, Asia, Canada & Europe, Caribbean and Pacific)

·         8 June Overall winners announced.

More info available here: www.commonwealthwriters.org