2009 PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Award update

Entries for the 2009 PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Award closed on the 30th of September and we have received an unprecedented response from African authors both near and far. More than 800 entries have been received to date, 621 of which met with the entry rules.

A panel of 25 readers is hard at work reading scripts, with 124 read completely and nearly 500 still to be read. The Editorial Board has also begun reading scripts that have been long-listed. (The Editorial Board is made up of Shaun Johnson, Chair; Anthony Fleischer; Justin Fox; Harry Garuba; Alistair King and Mary Watson.)

Successful authors will be advised of their inclusion in ‘New writing from Africa 2009' in the new year. The winners of the first, second, and third prizes, to be chosen by J.M. Coetzee, will be named at the launch of the publication - details of which are to be announced in due course - in or around May 2009.

For more information visit South African PEN's website