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The panel for the Etisalat Prize for Literature has shortlisted three books for the 2016 edition of the Pan-African literary prize, according to a statement released today by Etisalat Nigeria. The books are The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa) by Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa); And After Many Days (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria) by Jowhor Ile (Nigeria); and Mr & Mrs Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA) by Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria).

The three books were shortlisted by a three-member judging panel comprising Helon Habila, a Nigerian novelist and poet; South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu; and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Renée Dro.

The winner of the 2016 prize will be unveiled at a ceremony in Lagos, scheduled to take place in March 2017, Etisalat Nigeria said.

“In addition to originality of voice and literary excellence, our purpose was to also select a work that portrays an African sensibility,” said Habila, who serves as the chair of the panel.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first Pan-African prize that celebrates debut African writers of published book-length fiction resident anywhere in the world. Now in its fourth year, the prize is regarded as the most prestigious literary prize for African fiction.

Apart from the literary prize, the Etisalat Prize for Literature also incorporates an award for Flash Fiction, which is an online-based competition for non-published African writers of short stories.

The winner of the literary prize receives £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and an Etisalat sponsored book tour to three African countries. The award winner also receives an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.

All shortlisted writers will also enjoy a sponsored multi-city book tour while Etisalat will also purchase 1,000 copies of their books for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across Africa in an effort to promote reading culture and the continent’s publishing industry.

The past winners of the Etisalat Prize for Literature include Fiston Mwanza Mujila from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Tram 83; 2015); South African novelist Songeziwe Mahlangu (Penumbra, 2014) and Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo (We Need New Names, 2013).