A world of new fiction
Commonwealth Writers sits at the heart of the Commonwealth Foundation’s Culture Programmes. It targets and develops distinctive, emerging voices through on-line development, on-the-ground activities and two literary prizes.
It’s a new initiative to inspire, inform, and connects fiction writers from all over the world. Members are encouraged to join up to share stories and experiences from their region.
Commonwealth Writers works in partnership with international literary organisations, the wider cultural industries and civil society to help writers develop their craft. With an online writer in residence, interviews with authors and guidance from publishers and industry experts, www.commonwealthwriters.org is also a forum where members can exchange ideas and contribute to debates. The programme will explore what being “published” means in the 21st Century. It is particularly interested in how writers can use technology to find a readership in different parts of the world and how they can effectively utilise online publishing networks.
This year Commonwealth Writers will help to shape an equitable and inclusive publishing industry (digital and otherwise) through carrying out research, followed by a debate (streamed online) which brings together key figures from a local, regional, and digital publishing industry to debate its future and relevance to our members. It will also be setting up various on-the-ground initiatives to develop and promote writers within their region.
Commonwealth Book Prize
Awarded for best first book, the Commonwealth Book Prize is open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2011. Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £10,000. Chair of the Commonwealth Book Prize, Margaret Busby said “The significance of a prize such as this becomes greater with each year. It is vital to encourage and celebrate the talent of newly emerging novelists whose words have the potential to inspire and enrich the entire literary world. Searching out and promoting the best first books of fiction internationally is a serious task, a great honour and a wonderful challenge.”
Commonwealth Short Story Prize
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000-5000 words). Regional winners receive £1,000 and the overall winner receives £5,000. Chair of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Bernardine Evaristo said “This wonderful prize will turn the spotlight on the increasingly popular short story form and aims to support and encourage short story writers worldwide.”
The winners of both prizes will be announced in June 2012.