From our ancestors’ first forays through the continent, to the contemporary diaspora spread around the world, people are eternally moving in, out and about the African continent. Not everyone leaves out of their own volition, and not everyone comes with the best intentions: nevertheless, the story of Africa is the story of souls migrating, settling, unsettling, fleeing, seeking, resting, nesting and sharing stories, experiences and myths.
From herds of migrating animals to treks both physical and spiritual, from the comfort of ancient myth to the desperation of those currently fleeing their homes, Short Story Day Africa is looking for a crop of short fiction that will bring a fresh, urgent perspective to one of our most profound phenomena, and the basis of all our greatest stories.
• Any African citizen or African person living in the diaspora ( Citizens of African countries or former citizens who have given up citizenship for whatever reason, and second generation Africans whose parents are/were African citizens. as well as persons residing permanently-granted permanent residence or similar) in any African country, may enter.
• Writers may only submit one story for the competition. Repeat entries by the same writer will be disqualified.
• Writers are welcome to submit stories in any fiction genre.
• Stories must be between 3000 and 5000 words in length.
• Stories must be submitted in English. While you are free to incorporate other languages into your story, the story must be able to be understood fully by its English content.
• Stories must be submitted online between 1 June 2016 – 3 1 July 2016. The link to the submission form will be made live on 1 June 2016.
• To facilitate easy reading and judging, please format your stories according to the standard manuscript format stipulated below. Stories not formatted in this way are at the risk of being disqualified.
• Stories must not have been previously published in any form or any format.
• Simultaneous submissions are not welcome. Any story entered or published elsewhere during the course of judging or publication will be disqualified.
• You are welcome to enter under a pseudonym or nom de plume, as long as you also include your real name along with your entry.
• All entries will be judged anonymously, i.e. with names removed.
The judges’ decision is final.
• By submitting a story the author attests that it is their own original work and grants non-exclusive global print and digital rights to Short Story Day Africa; non-exclusive digital rights to Worldreader to publish individual stories on Worldreader Mobile; and non-exclusive global print and digital rights to
• Short Story Day Africa, and non-exclusive digital rights to BooksLive for publicity purposes.
• By entering, the author agrees to allow ShortShort Story Day Africa to include their entry in an anthology should it be selected by the judges; and to working with editors to get their story publication ready.
• We will not share your personal information with anyone. We will, however, add you to Short Story Day Africa mailing list for the sole purpose of informing you of next year’s event.
You can submit content here.
