We are delighted to unveil the longlist for the Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize (BPLP) 2024!
From over 230 entries across poetry and short story categories, our esteemed judges have carefully chosen 11 exceptional short stories and 20 remarkable poems. The selected works are:
Poetry:
- LIVING MAKES MAN A FAITHFUL SINNER by Clement Abayomi
- A BODY THAT REFUSES TO BE QUIET by Chioma Christabel Okpetah
- AMNESIA by Mazpa Ejikem
- HOPE IS A BIRD WITH BROKEN WINGS by Adindu-Nwokorie Uzomadii
- ROOM GHAZAL by Chiwenite Onyekwel
- HOME IS A FOUR LETTERED WORD BEYOND MY REACH by Abdulwahab Fatima Zahara
- PLAYLIST OF A PAPER-BACK WAR: EP 1 by Ebuka Evans
- LAYERS by Ese-Ose Idemudia
- BENEDICTION by Ojo Olumide Emmanuel
- AKPABANA’S BANQUET by Hillary Ofukocho Anfofun
- TO GROW IS TO WITHER by Qudus Olowo
- HOW TO TEST HEALING by John “Penwielder” Ebute
- YOU CANNOT KILL THE FIRE OF GRIEF THROUGH INTERACTIONS BETWEEN GENITALS by Abduljalal Musa Aliyu
- MEMORY IS A BIRD by Agboola Tariq A.
- KADUNA by Ókólí Stephen Nonso
- AND GOD WATCHES IN UTTER DISBELIEF by Abiodun Ekundayo
- A POEM OF MY UNBECOMING by Prosper C. Ìféányí
- SWALLOW by Oluwakemi Ladejobi
- GOD IN LOWERCASE by Hero Jason
- IF by Annah Atane
Short Story:
- SOUP by Chinaza James-Ibe
- (DISCARD ME) LIKE A BROKEN DOLL by Daniel Echezonachi Maxwell
- THE IN-BETWEEN By Gloria Ogo
- TRUST FALL by Oyinloye Michael Oluwatomisin
- HAMAKA, LEAVE ME ALONE by Testimony Odey
- AN OVERSIZED SHOE by Jessica Ajuonuma
- SEMICOLON by Awwal Owolabi
- THE DAY GOD DIED by Feyikemi Olajide
- TO BE A WOMAN IS TO BE WITHOUT A NAME by Chidera Solomon Anikpe
- INTERVIEW by Ola W. Halim
- THE BREADWINNER by Olufunmi Alaba
These outstanding entries are vying for prestigious honours, including a $300 cash prize shared between the winners of each category, a chapbook publishing contract, publication in the December issue of
Cọ́nscìò Magazine and the 2024 BPLP e-anthology.
The shortlist will be revealed on Saturday, December 21, 2024, with the winners announced one week later, on Saturday, December 28, 2024.
The judges for the BPLP 2024 include Iquo DianaAbasi, an acclaimed writer, editor, and performer whose works have explored themes of womanhood, the environment, and humanity; [Su’ur E.] Su’eddie Vershima Agema, a multiple-award-winning writer, cultural activist, development practitioner, and editor; Brigitte Poirson, a French poet, editor, and educationist who has devoted herself to promoting African poetry and literature; and Kukogho Samson, an accomplished writer, communications professional, arts administrator, and publisher who has fostered literary excellence throughout his career. They also judged the 2023 edition.
Click here to read more about the Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize and past winners of the Prize.
