In its quest to promote reading and writing culture in the country, Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) has introduced a short story competition.
The development comes barely a month after the writers’ body announced names of its board of trustees, which is led by seasoned writer Lawrence Kadzitche, who is famed for Katakwe series.
According to a poster that Mawu has released, the competition is open to Malawian writers who are based in Malawi and in the diaspora.
The competition comprises two categories; one for secondary school students and another that is open to all Malawian writers.
The competition, which is running under the theme ‘AI and Mental Health’, will see the winner walking away with K1 million whereas the second and third-place occupants will pocket K750,000 and K350,000, respectively.
In the secondary school category, the winner will receive K300,000 whereas the second and third-place occupants would walk away with K200,000 and K100,000, respectively.
Five shortlisted entries will be selected from this category from a longlist of 10 and the winning stories will be included in an anthology.
The poster also indicates that the submission of entries opens tomorrow, with the announcement of judges scheduled for next month.
The closing date for receiving entries is May 31 2025.
The announcement on those shortlisted will be made in June, with the awards ceremony set for July.
Mawu President Shadreck Chikoti said yesterday that the short story competition had been organised with the aim of promoting writing and reading.
“We want writers to focus on the theme,” Chikoti said.
He said “we are trying to spark conversations through the platform”.
The award-winning writer said this is the beginning of more things to come for the writers’ body as they seek to propel writing in the country and compete at the international stage.
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