9mobile Prize for Literature

The 9mobile Prize for Literature celebrates new writers of African citizenship whose first fiction book (more than 30,000 words in length) was published in the previous 24 months. The prize accepts any printed production in book form of any type or genre, written in English or published in English translation.[https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/terms.php "Terms & Conditions for 9 mobile Prize for Literature"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204822/https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/terms.php |date=2 August 2017 }}, 9mobile Prize for Literature website (retrieved 3 August 2017). Authors and their publishers can be based anywhere in the world.

The winner of the 9mobile Prize for Literature receives £15,000, a Samsung Galaxy Note and an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück. In line with the prize's vision of promoting upcoming writers, 9mobile sponsors a book tour to three African cities for the winning writer and shortlisted writers. The winning writer is also awarded the 9mobile Fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, which includes significant opportunities to meet other writers, publishers and work on a second book. Shortlisted writers win a Samsung Galaxy Note and also embark on a book tour to two major African cities.

The 9mobile Prize has a board of patrons (in addition to the judges) who are mostly writers, academics, publishers and critics. Patrons are carefully selected based on professional excellence and a relationship with the African writing industry. Those who have served as patrons are:{{cite web |url=http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sustainability-of-literary-prizes-as-new-one-debuts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927053001/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sustainability-of-literary-prizes-as-new-one-debuts/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2013 |title=Sustainability of literary prizes, as new one debuts |work=National Mirror|author=Terh Agbedeh |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=28 June 2013}}[https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/patrons.php Patrons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803045529/https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/patrons.php |date=3 August 2017 }}, 9mobile Prize for Literature.

• Ama Ata Aidoo, writer, playwright and academic (2013–)
• Dele Olojede, journalist, winner of Pulitzer Prize (2013–)
• Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, OBE, editor and literary critic (2013–)
• Kole Omotoso, writer (2013–16)
• Margaret Busby, OBE, writer, editor and publisher (2013–)
• Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer and academic (2016–)
• Zakes Mda, novelist and playwright (2013–)

Blue ribbon ({{blue ribbon}}) = winner

From a longlist of nine titles,{{Cite web |title=The Inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature Longlist |url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2013/12/23/the-inaugural-etisalat-prize-for-literature-longlist/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411125238/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2013/12/23/the-inaugural-etisalat-prize-for-literature-longlist/ |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Sunday Times Books LIVE @ Sunday Times Books LIVE |language=en |url-status=live }} the shortlist was announced on 23 January 2014.{{cite web |url=http://etisalatprize.com/etisalat-prize-for-literature-announces-2013-shortlist/ |title=Etisalat Prize for Literature Announces 2013 Shortlist |publisher=Etisalat Prize |date=23 January 2014 |access-date=23 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301214613/http://etisalatprize.com/etisalat-prize-for-literature-announces-2013-shortlist/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=usurped }}{{cite web |url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/01/22/the-inaugural-etisalat-prize-for-literature-shortlist-announced/ |title=The Inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature Shortlist Announced |work=Books Live |author=Lindsay |date=22 January 2014 |access-date=23 January 2014}} The winner was announced on 23 February 2014,{{Cite web |date=2 March 2014 |title=Toast to African writers at Etisalat Prize for Literature |url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/34592-toast-to-african-writers-at-etisalat-prize-for-literature.html|first=Akintayo|last=Abodunrin|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305111532/http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/34592-toast-to-african-writers-at-etisalat-prize-for-literature.html |archive-date=5 March 2014 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Nigerian Tribune}} and the award ceremony took place on Sunday, 2 March, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Noviolet Bulawayo Wins Etisalat Literature Prize |url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/noviolet-bulawayo-wins-etisalat-literature-prize/172723/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091730/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/noviolet-bulawayo-wins-etisalat-literature-prize/172723/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |url-status=live }}

• Yewande Omotoso (South Africa), Bom Boy (Modjaji Books, South Africa)
• Karen Jennings (South Africa), Finding Soutbek (Holland Park Press, UK)
• {{blue ribbon}} NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), We Need New Names (Little, Brown and Company/Chatto & Windus, UK){{cite web |url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/02/23/noviolet-bulawayo-wins-the-inaugural-etisalat-prize-for-literature/ |title=NoViolet Bulawayo Wins the Inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature |work=Books Live |author=Ben |date=23 February 2014 |access-date=23 February 2014}}

The judges in 2013 were:[http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/list-of-panel-of-judges-for-etisalat-prize-for-literature-out/ "List of Panel of Judges for Etisalat Prize for Literature out"], Vanguard, 21 July 2013.

• Zakes Mda, novelist and playwright
• Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer, academic
• Pumla Dineo Gqola, writer, academic
• Billy Kahora, writer, editor of Kwani?

The longlist was announced in November 2014{{Cite news |last=Literature |first=Etisalat Prize For |date=2014-11-11 |title=Etisalat Prize For Literature Press Release {{!}} Longlist For 9 mobile Prize for Literature 2014 Announced |url=https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/press-release.php?id=20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204617/https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/press-release.php?id=20 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |access-date=2024-12-25 |work=Etisalat Prize For Literature |language=en |url-status=live }} and the shortlist in December 2014.{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=The |date=2014-12-13 |title=Candidates announced for Etisalat Prize for Literature |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/candidates-announced-etisalat-prize-literature/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}} The winner was announced on Sunday, 15 March 2015, at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, Nigeria.[http://www.bellanaija.com/2015/03/16/south-african-songeziwe-mahlangu-wins-the-2014-etisalat-prize-for-literature-for-his-story-pen-umbra/ "South African Songeziwe Mahlangu Wins the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature For His Story ‘Pen Umbra’"], BellaNaija, 16 March 2015.Micheal Abimboye, [http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/178566-south-african-wins-etisalat-prize-for-literature.html "South African wins Etisalat prize for Literature"], Premium Times, 16 March 2015.

• Nadia Davids (South Africa), An Imperfect Blessing (Random House Struik-Umuzi, South Africa)
• Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria), Happiness, Like Water (Granta Books, UK)
• {{blue ribbon}} Songeziwe Mahlangu (South Africa), Penumbra (Kwela Books, imprint of NB Publishers, South Africa)

The 2014 judges were:{{Cite web |last=Abodunrin |first=Akintayo |date=2014-07-20 |title=Quartet announced as judges for 2014 Etisalat Prize |url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/arts-culture/item/10998-quartet-announced-as-judges-for-2014-etisalat-prize/10998-quartet-announced-as-judges-for-2014-etisalat-prize |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123355/http://www.tribune.com.ng/arts-culture/item/10998-quartet-announced-as-judges-for-2014-etisalat-prize/10998-quartet-announced-as-judges-for-2014-etisalat-prize |archive-date=2015-04-02 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Nigerian Tribune}}

• Sarah Ladipo Manyika (chair)
• Alain Mabanckou
• Jamal Mahjoub
• Tsitsi Dangarembga

The longlist was announced on 3 December 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/38525-Etisalat-Prize-for-Literature-Announces-2015-Longlist |title=Etisalat Prize for Literature Announces 2015 Longlist |work=CSR Newswire |publisher= African Press Organization |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=20 March 2016}} The shortlist was announced on 8 March 2016,{{cite web |url=https://www.naij.com/769217-finalists-etisalat-prize-for-literature-2015.html |title=Meet the finalists of the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015 |work=naij.com |author=Mitchelle Okuku |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016}} and the winner on 19 March.

• Penny Busetto (South Africa), The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself (Jacana Media, South Africa)
• {{Blue ribbon}} Fiston Mwanza Mujila (Democratic Republic of Congo), Tram 83, translated by Roland Glasser (Deep Vellum, USA){{cite web |url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2016/03/19/fiston-mwanza-mujila-wins-2015-etisalat-prize-for-tram-83/ |title=Fiston Mwanza Mujila wins 2015 Etisalat Prize for Tram 83 |work=Books Live |author=Jennifer |date=19 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016}}
• Rehana Rossouw (South Africa), What Will People Say (Jacana Media, South Africa)

The 2015 judges were:

• Ato Quayson (chair)
• Molara Wood
• Zukiswa Wanner

The longlist of nine titles was announced on 23 November 2016[https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/press-release.php?id=61 "9 Authors Make Etisalat Prize for Literature 2016 Longlist"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803045527/https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/press-release.php?id=61 |date=3 August 2017 }}, 23 November 2016. and the shortlist of three on 5 January 2017.[https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/press-release.php?id=63 "Etisalat Prize for Literature Announces 2016 Shortlist"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204717/https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/press-release.php?id=63 |date=2 August 2017 }}, 5 January 2017. The winner was announced on 20 May.{{cite web |url=https://brittlepaper.com/2017/05/photos-jowhor-iles-days-nigerian-win-etisalat-prize-literature/ |author-link=Otosirieze Obi-Young|first=Otosirieze|last=Obi-Young|title=Jowhor Ile is the First Nigerian to Win the Etisalat Prize for Literature |website=Brittle Paper |date=20 May 2017 |access-date=21 May 2017}}

• Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa), The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)
• {{Blue ribbon}} Jowhor Ile (Nigeria), And After Many Days (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria)
• Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria), Mr & Mrs Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA)

The 2016 judges were:

• Helon Habila (chair)
• Edwige-Renée Dro
• Elinor Sisulu

The award had a hiatus. In August 2017, the name of the literature prize was changed to 9mobile.{{Cite web |last=Ago |first=Arinze |date=2017-08-08 |title=Etisalat Prize for Literature rebrands to 9mobile Prize for Literature |url=https://www.citypeopleonline.com/etisalat-prize-literature-rebrands-9mobile-prize-literature/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=City People Magazine |language=en-US}}

The winner of the 2018 edition of the award was announced on 8 August 2019, the shortlist having been chosen in January 20218.{{cite web|url=https://johannesburgreviewofbooks.com/2019/08/08/the-jrb-daily-ayobami-adebayo-announced-as-winner-of-9mobile-prize-for-literature-for-her-debut-novel-stay-with-me/|title=Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ announced as winner of 9mobile Prize for Literature for her debut novel Stay With Me|website=Johannesburg Review of Books|first=Jennifer|last=Malec|date=8 August 2019}}

• Lesley Nneka Arimah (Nigeria), What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky
• Marcus Low (South Africa), Asylum
• {{Blue ribbon}} Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (Nigeria), Stay with Me (Ouida Books)

The judges for the 2018 edition of the prize were Professor Harry Garuba (chair), Doreen Baingana and Siphiwo Mahala.{{cite web|url=https://brittlepaper.com/2019/08/ayobami-adebayo-wins-the-9mobile-prize-for-literature-for-stay-with-me/|title=Ayobami Adebayo Wins the 9Mobile Prize for Literature, for Stay with Me|author=Otosirieze Obi-Young|website=Brittle Paper|date=8 August 2019}}

The founding patrons of the prize, which was established in 2012 as the Etisalat Prize for Literature, announced their resignation from the award in July 2019.{{Cite web |title=Announcement of Resignation from the Founding Patrons of the Etisalat / 9Mobile Prize for Literature |url=https://brittlepaper.com/2019/07/an-announcement-from-the-founding-patrons-of-the-etisalat-9mobile-prize-for-literature/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=brittlepaper.com|date=26 July 2019 }}

• Nigeria Prize for Literature
• Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature
• Grand Prix of Literary Associations

{{Reflist}}

• [https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/ 9mobile Prize for Literature] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204517/https://literature.9mobile.com.ng/ |date=2 August 2017 }} official website.
• Prisca Sam-Duru, [http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/echoes-etisalat-prize-literature/ "Echoes from Etisalat Prize for Literature"], Vanguard, 8 March 2014.
• Elinor Sisulu, [https://johannesburgreviewofbooks.com/2017/06/05/lagos-one-long-literary-and-artistic-lime-etisalat-prize-judge-elinor-sisulu-reflects-on-a-trip-of-note/ "Lagos, one long literary and artistic lime: Etisalat Prize judge Elinor Sisulu reflects on a trip of note"], The Johannesburg Review of Books, 5 June 2017.

Category:2013 establishments in Nigeria

Category:African literary awards

Category:Awards established in 2013

Category:English-language literary awards

Category:Fiction awards

Category:First book awards

Category:Nigerian literary awards