Golden Baobab Prize 2018

Golden Baobab Prize 2018 Call for Submissions

Golden Baobab has announced a call for submissions for the 2018 Golden Baobab Prize the leading prize for children’s literature on the continent.

The Golden Baobab Prize was established in July 2008 to support the development of children’s books by African writers and illustrators. The prize invites entries of unpublished stories and illustrations created by African citizens irrespective of age, race, or country of origin. It is organized by Golden Baobab, a Ghana-based pan-African NGO dedicated to creating a world filled with wonder and possibilities for children, one African story at a time. The organization’s advisory board includes renowned authors Ama Ata Aidoo and Maya Ajmera.

Previous winners of the prize include Vennessa Scholtz and Lori-Ann Preston (2016), Portia Dery, Xanele Puren and Mary Ononokpono (2014), Liza Esterhuyse, Karen Hurt, and Kanengo Rebecca Diallo (2013), Joy Nwiyi, Jenny Robson, and Rutendo Chabikwa (2012) and Ken Fansworth, Edyth Bulbring, and Luc Haasbroek (2011). Also winning were Lauri Kubuitsile, Mirirai Moyo, and Ahmed Farah (2010) and in the previous year Lauri Kubuitsile, Aisha Kibwana, and Ivor W. Hartmann (2009)

The Prize discovers and celebrates African writers and illustrators of children’s stories and confers awards for their work. After enjoying nine successful years as an industry leader, Golden Baobab this year announces an exciting new phase with a heavier focus on publishing. It also announces the re-opening of the Golden Baobab Prize for Illustrators, the most important award for African children’s book illustrators.

The 2018 Golden Baobab Prize offers a distinct platform for professional African writers and illustrators to kick-start their careers. The Prize will work to facilitate relationships between African publishers and finalist writers and illustrators with the goal to see more African children’s books being published. In view of this, Golden Baobab is excited to expand its publishing network and increase its impact in more countries.

Commenting on the launch of the 2018 Prize Victor Kyerematen, the organization’s Prize Coordinator said, “In the past, Golden Baobab has done a fantastic job of highlighting and honouring fresh voices in African children’s literature. Henceforth, we are eagerly prioritizing work that gets more African books in the hands of children.”

The 2018 Golden Baobab Prize offers three awards:

  • The Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books, for the best story targeting a reader audience of ages 4-8.
  • The Golden Baobab Prize for Early Chapter Books for the best story targeting a reader audience of ages 9-11.
  • The Golden Baobab Prize for Illustrators for the best artwork that matches illustration briefs provided, intended for children ages 4-11.

Winners of the 2018 Golden Baobab Prize will receive a cash prize of 5,000 USD. In addition to press publicity, winning stories are guaranteed a publishing deal, finalist writers are connected with publishers across Africa and finalist illustrators participate in exhibitions and workshops.

The final deadline for submission is 1st December 2017. Golden Baobab invites African writers and illustrators to submit entries for this year’s Prize and spread the word among their networks.

Update: The deadline was updated to March 31, 2018. Good luck!


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