Nairobi, Kenya - TheAfricanGriot.com is excited to announce the longlist for the inaugural Alexander Nderitu Prize for World Literature. The ten longlisted stories were chosen from 72 entries originating from 13 countries around the world. In no particular order, the longlisted writers for the Alexander Nderitu Prize for World Literature are:

1.          The Pregnant Ghost - Haliru Ali Musa (Nigeria)
2.          Ethiopian Night - Evanson Njuki (Kenya)
3.          A New Dawn - Maina Mary Njeri (Kenya)
4.          Mortuary - Ekenedirichukwu Anselm Alita (Nigeria)
5.          Call of the Sandy Tombs - Kaluwe Haangala (Zambia)
6.          That Last Kiss - Erick Kitheka (Kenya)
7.          Mama Tekla’s Sunset - J.E.Sibi-Okumu (Kenya)
8.          Harmony’s Echo - Maria Kegode (Kenya)
9.          Peace - Buhlebethu Sukoluhle Mpofu (USA/Zimbabwe)
10.        Beauty in a Mark - Kagira George (Kenya)

The submissions came from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Kingdom of Eswatini, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Poland, Malawi, The Gambia, Sri Lanka, USA, Botswana, and Tanzania. The youngest entrant was 19 years old while the eldest was 70. The jurors, who judged the stories on literary merit and fidelity to the 'Peace' theme, were drawn from Botswana, Nigeria, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Sweden. Commenting on the longlist, juror Rupasinghe D. Pramudith (Sri Lanka) said:

“These captivating stories not only stand out as a testament to the undeniable power of English as a language spread across cultures, facing irreversible transformation from the ingenious languages of those who embrace it, but also celebrate the essential role that tales play in sustaining mankind’s collective memory and consciousness.”

The award is named after multiple-award-winning author and critic Alexander Nderitu. The shortlist will be announced in December 2024.