Kalemba Short Story Prize 2020 longlist announced.

The longlist of 39 writers in the running for the Kalemba Short Story Prize 2020, Zambia’s leading literary prize, was revealed on Saturday, August 22, 2020.

The Kalemba Short Story Prize is awarded annually to the best work of original and unpublished short fiction written in English by a Zambian administered and funded by Ukusefya Words. The award has been won in the past by Mali Kambandu (2018) and Mubanga Kalimamukwento (2019).

The judges for the 2020 edition are Ellen Banda-Aaku who chairs alongside Masande Ntshanga, Remy Ngamije, and 2018 winner Mali Kambandu. The judging panel announced the longlist for the Zambia-based prize on Saturday, August 22. The full list of those in the running is;

1. 107 – Noah Siwale
2. A choice of the Gods – Beard Mwanza Jr
3. A pale storm – Mutale Mubanga
4. A Promise to Keep – Leanet kamizhi
5. A silent cry – Chowa Chikumbi
6. After the storm – Otensia Kapinga
7. Amulets – Moreblessings Gondwe
8. Behind the suicide – Joseph Sakala
9. Bwela – Karen Bwalya
10. Chapters – Nancy Mubanga
11. Chibanda – Masiyaleti Mbewe
12. Conflicted – Syivia Mbewe
13. Daze – Mukuka Nkunde
14. Dear Lucy – Mikha Mweetwa
15. Deathbed lessons for black skin – Mwlwa Mushibwe Ntanisha
16. Fate or mere coincidence – Ireen Sangwa
17. Hidden stories – Taonga Nikiwe Thole
18. How it feels to fly – Wankunda Mphuka
19. If it aint broke – Rhodasi Mwale
20. Ignis Fatuus – Mbambo Sianga
21. I will keep you safe – Vanessa Nakayange
22. Ingrained Memories – Anna Mbu
23. Irresistible lake – Kelvin Sakala
24. Junta or Divorce – Samuel Zimba
25. Kunsha’s last steal – Ian Membe
26. Lost in heaven – Chishimba Malisawa
27. Misozi – Ireen Chikatula
28. Shield of Lana – Peter Mbulo
29. Shipikisya club – Kateule Chabala
30. The In-between place – Lucy Zulu Simuzingili
31. The kind man and the little girl – George Chilala
32. The Lusaka hotel – Mthuzi Mkandawire
33. The magnificent clay pot – Mercy Zulu-Hume
34. The mine captain’s story – John Zulu
35. This side of the blanket – Nawa Sitali
36. Two steps – Natalie Simpamba
37. Watershed – Fiske Nyirongo
38. With love from a dying heart – Joe Nyirenda
39. Where from here – Peter Nawa

The shortlist and winner will be announced at a later date.