Six new and emerging writers have made the shortlist of a national competition celebrating unpublished fiction by female BME writers.
The SI Leeds Literary Prize announced their shortlist of six writers this week at the Rich Mix Arts Centre.
The shortlist includes:
Dark Chapter – Winnie M Li
Deadly Sacrifice – Stella Ahmadou
Marmite and Mango Chutney – Amita Murray
Our Staggering Minds – Harkiran Dhindsa
Recognising Strangers – Jamilah Ahmed
When Skies Are Grey – Fran Clark
The shortlisted manuscripts were selected from twelve entries of promising and accomplished writing, covering a wide range of genres and subjects. The judges for the shortlist were Susan Yearwood of The Susan Yearwood Agency, Margaret Oldroyd for SI Leeds and writer Karen Onojaife. The judging panel was chaired by head judge and literary activist Kadija George, with the winner to be announced in October.
The SI Leeds Literary Prize is a groundbreaking award for unpublished fiction by Black and Asian women writers based in the UK. They aim to be a loudspeaker for Black and Asian women’s voices, and a platform for exciting new talent. Patrons of the prize include journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, British novelist Bernardine Evaristo, critic and broadcaster Bidisha amongst others.
The prize ceremony will take place on the October 12 2016 as part of the Ilkley Literature Festival. The winner receives £2000 and a free place on an Arvon creative writing course of their choice.
Image: Mahsuda Snaith (2014 winner) with novelist, Kerry Young
