Inaugural Winners of the Iskanchi Magazine Prize Announced

We are so thrilled to announce the Winners of the Inaugural Iskanchi Magazine Prize! 

Our editors were intrigued by the exceptional quality of writing and storytelling from African writers, both on the continent and in the diaspora. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to engage with such remarkable talents. Choosing the winners from a pile of incredibly brilliant writers and stories was no easy task. After careful consideration, our editors have selected three winners whose work stood out for their ingenious premises, creativity and craft.

They are;

First Prize: Brighter Days by Rodney Nayo (Ghana)‍

Rodney Nayo's Brighter Days is a dystopian story set in futuristic South Africa. Through the lens of a young girl’s struggle for survival amidst devastating climate catastrophe, this story is fundamentally about hope. Nayo’s depiction of climate-induced hardship as well as his ability to blend speculative elements with the psychological makes his story stand out.

‍

Second Prize: Our Landlord’s Wife is a Witch Doctor by Delight Chinenye Ejiaka (Nigeria)

Delight Chinenye Ejiaka's Our Landlord’s Wife is a Witch Doctor is a humorous yet unsettling look at life in a Nigerian compound where rumors of witchcraft abound. This story combines elements of folklore and superstition. Delight’s ability to create characters that come alive through dialogue, suspense, and a creeping sense of dread makes her story incredibly captivating.

‍

Third Prize: Loud Music by Mark Kennedy Nsereko (Uganda)

Loud Music is a haunting narrative that explores familial expectations, culture, spirituality, mental health and the cost of unfulfilled dreams. Mark Kennedy Nsereko tells a beautiful story of a young man grappling with his desire to make music. The intensity of his internal conflict, along with the strange presence of a mysterious relative makes this Ugandan story layered and incredibly compelling. 

Congratulations to the winners and immense gratitude to everyone who submitted their writing to us.

About the Iskanchi Magazine Prize

The Iskanchi Magazine Prize honors outstanding literary works that push boundaries and showcase diverse African perspectives. We seek the most irreverent, disobedient, and non-conforming voices. We want work that examines what the experimental form looks like in the African literary context. All winning and shortlisted pieces will be considered for inclusion in Iskanchi's forthcoming Best African Experimental Writing (BAE) Anthology.

Prizes

• First Place: $200
• Second Place: $150

• Third Place: $100

• Shortlisted Writers: $50 each

Thank you!