The Miles Morland Foundation is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2016 Morland Writing Scholarships. This year, Nigerians have dominated the list. Of the twenty-two names, eleven are from Nigeria, three from South Africa, two each from Somalia, Kenya and Zimbabwe, and one each from Gambia and Ghana.
Miles Morland said, “The standard of the shortlist is always high but this year we had an even greater depth of talent than before, making the choosing of a shortlist particularly difficult. We had over 500 entries, up from 385 last year and they came from 37 countries, compared with 27 last year. We have three Caine Prize winners on it, and a number of writers who have received global recognition. We are pleased also to have writers early in their career who show terrific promise. We have been blown away by the talent, imagination, energy, and humour that characterises African writing. Our only disappointment is that, although we had a number of non-fiction submissions, only one made it to the short list. We are actively trying to encourage non-fiction, Africans telling Africa’s story.”
The judges, with Ellah Wakatama Allfrey from Zimbabwe in the chair, assisted by Femi Terry from Sierra Leone, and Muthoni Garland from Kenya, will meet on Dec 12th to select the five 2016 Scholars. Their names will be announced shortly afterwards. The Scholars will each receive £18,000, paid over the course of a year, to allow them to take time off to write the book they have proposed.
Shortlist for the Morland Writing Scholarships for 2016
Abdul Adan – Somalia
Jekwu Anyaegbuna – Nigeria
Ayesha Harruna Attah – Ghana
Rotimi Babatunde – Nigeria
Dayo Forster – Gambia
Amy Heydenrych – S Africa
Abubakar Ibrahim – Nigeria
Nneoma Ike-Njoku – Nigeria
Julie Iromuanya – Nigeria
Hamse Ismail – Somalia
William Ifeanyi Moore – Nigeria
Lidudumalingani Mqombothi – S Africa
Nick Mulgrew – S Africa
Otosirieze Obi-Young – Nigeria
Okwiri Oduor – Kenya
Adeola Opeyemi – Nigeria
Olawale Olayemi – Nigeria
Troy Onyango – Kenya
Mary Ononokpono – Nigeria
Koye Oyedeji – Nigeria
Bryony Rheam – Zimbabwe
Sandisile Tshuma – Zimbabwe
If you have any questions please contact Mathilda Edwards, the Foundation Secretary, on me@johnp105.sg-host.com.