The
Burt Award for African Literature
Supporting
and encouraging a love of reading for young adult
Reminder – Calling
for Manuscripts
The National Book Development
Council of Kenya (NBDCK) in partnership with the Canadian Organization for
Development through Education (CODE) and with the generous support of a
Canadian patron, Mr. Bill Burt, have the pleasure to invite Kenyan-based and
duly registered publishers to submit engaging and educational story-based
manuscripts for the youth (12 – 18 years old) to be considered for the 2013
Burt Award for African Literature.
1. To support and motivate
the development of supplementary reading materials in both primary and
secondary schools.
2. To stimulate and support
the Kenyan publishing industry and contribute to the literary wealth of Kenyan
literature.
3. To recognize excellence in
literature for youth.
4. To
publish stories which strengthen the English language skills of the youth and
help foster enthusiasm and a love for
reading.
reading.
5. To increase the stock of
English reading materials in school and community libraries.
Rules
Governing the Award
1. Eligible entries must be
in manuscript form, and submitted by publishers only.
2. The quality of content
shall be the overriding criterion. The story should:
a) Be written in English.
b) Be between 30,000 to
40,000 words (approximately 90 to 120 pages).
c) Be prose fiction in
chapter form, containing content and language appropriate for ages 12-18 years
old.
d) Demonstrate a solid
command of English through a clear cohesive language and proper sentence
structure, vocabulary and punctuation.
e) Be
thought-provoking and original with an excellent story telling style e.g.
strong imagery, lively dialogue, and vivid
description to arouse young readers’ interest and curiosity and keep them turning pages.
description to arouse young readers’ interest and curiosity and keep them turning pages.
f) Have a strong literary
merit including:
i. Engaging characters with
whom young readers can identify and a protagonist who overcomes challenges or
obstacles in a positive way.
ii. A well-developed plot
with a good flow of events.
iii. The effective use of
literary devices, such as flashbacks.
g) Reflect current issues and
challenges of concern to contemporary Kenya.
3. The author has to be a
Kenyan national, preferably a resident in Kenya.
4.
Six non-returnable, spiral-bound copies of the submitted title(s), accompanied
by an entry form and entry fee must be
delivered to the undersigned not later than 12.00 noon, Friday 28th September 2012.
delivered to the undersigned not later than 12.00 noon, Friday 28th September 2012.
A summary of the work and
reasons for its suitability must be submitted together with the entry form
(download the entry form from the NBDCK website).
5.
The submission cost is Kshs. 10,000 per title. Payment should be through a
banker’s cheque payable to National Book
Devt Council of Kenya.
Devt Council of Kenya.
6.
The decision of the Committee for the Burt Award for African Literature will be
final. No further correspondence will be entered into in connection with the
Award.
Modality
of submission
Electronic
format, accompanied by six (6) spiral-bound hard copies of each submitted
title. The soft copies should be sent to info@nationalbookcouncilkenya.org,
while the hard copies should be delivered at the NBDCK offices, Suite No.3,
Pittaway Building, Ralph Bunche Road (off Ngong Road, next to Prof. Nelson
Awori Building).
The
Awards
1st
Prize – CAD$ 9,000
2nd Prize – CAD$ 7,000
3rd Prize – CAD$ 5,000
2nd Prize – CAD$ 7,000
3rd Prize – CAD$ 5,000
Presentation
The Awards will be presented
during the Book Week period which will be held in September 2013.
Deadline
for Submission
All manuscripts must be
submitted by 12.00 noon, Friday 28th September 2012.
For more information about
the Award, please contact:
The
National Book Development Council of Kenya
P.O. Box 10904 – 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
P.O. Box 10904 – 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel. 254 020 2721876; 2725006
Cell Phone +254 770 108 556
Email:
info@nationalbookcouncilkenya.org,
www.nationalbookcouncilkenya.org
www.nationalbookcouncilkenya.org
