The African Literature Association is currently accepting nominations for the following awards. Please note the deadlines and the specified individual to whom and all nominations and materials should be addressed. The awards will be presented at the ALA 43rd Annual Meeting and Conference, June 2017, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.

Graduate Student Best Essay Award (Deadline: Thursday, September 1, 2016)
For an outstanding paper in African literary studies by a graduate student. Authors must be current members of the ALA. The paper must have been presented at the preceding ALA conference (i.e. in 2016). (The expectation is that authors have had the benefit of comments at the conference and have revised the paper).

Send the following by email to: Marie Kruger (marie-kruger@uiowa.edu)
(1) the paper and an abstract, in Word document, with no name or any other identifying mark anywhere;
(2) a pdf file of the 2016 ALA conference Program page showing the panel in which the paper was presented
(3) CV and bio

Book of the Year Award – Creative Writing (Deadline:  Thursday, September 1, 2016)
For an outstanding book of African literature, whether novel, non-fiction prose, play, or poetry collection, published in the preceding calendar year (2015) by an African writer. Authors must be current members of the ALA. Authors or their publishers can make nominations.

Send an author bio, one-page book description, and 5 copies to:
Onipede Hollist, ALA Awards,

Department of English

University of Tampa, Box R

401 W. Kennedy Blvd

Tampa, FL 33606

ALA 2017 Annual Conference will take place in Yale. Image courtesy of africanlit.org

Book of the Year Award – Scholarship (Deadline:  Thursday, September 1, 2016)
For an outstanding book in African literary studies published in the preceding calendar year (2015). Authors must be current members of the ALA. Book must be published by a reputable peer-reviewed press. Authors or their publishers can make nominations.

Send an author bio, one-page book abstract, and 5 copies to:
Adélékè Adéẹ̀kọ́, ALA Awards,

Department of English

421 Denney Hall
164 Annie & John Glenn Avenue

The Oho State University
Columbus, OH 43210

First Book Award – Scholarship (Thursday, September 1, 2016)
For an outstanding book in African literary studies, which is the first book by the author, and published in the preceding calendar year (2015). Authors must be current members of the ALA. Book must be published by a reputable peer-reviewed press. Authors or their publishers can make nominations.

Send an author bio, one-page book abstract, and 5 copies to:
Cilas Kemedjio, ALA Awards,

Department of Modern Languages & Cultures

402 Lattimore Hall

1. O. Box 270082

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY 14627

Best Article Award (Thursday, September 1, 2016)
For an outstanding article in African literary studies published in a major peer-reviewed journal in the preceding calendar year (2015). Authors must be current members of the ALA. Authors or their publishers can make nominations.

Send a pdf copy to: Marame Gueye (gueuem@ecu.edu)

Fonlon-Nichols Award (Deadline: Tuesday, November 1, 2016)
For excellence in creative writing and contributions to the struggle for human rights and freedom  of expression. It is given every year to an African writer. The Award was established in 1992 to honor Bernard Fonlon and Lee Nichols for their contributions to both African literature and the freedom of expression Authors cannot nominate themselves, and neither can their publishers nominate them.

Send nominations as email document attachments to: Adélékè Adéẹ̀kọ́ (adeeko.1@osu.edu)
Please note: The nomination statement should contain:
(1) a biographical profile of the nominee
(2) a detailed justification for  the nomination. This should not be more than 2 single-spaced or 4 double-spaced pages

ALA Distinguished Member Award (Deadline: Tuesday, November 1, 2016)
For outstanding record of service to the ALA and commitment to teaching and scholarship in African literature. By nomination only. Nominees must have distinguished themselves over the years in service to the ALA, and commitment to teaching and scholarship in, and promotion of, African literature. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Send nominations as email document attachments to: Adélékè Adéẹ̀kọ́ (adeeko.1@osu.edu)
Please note: The nomination statement should contain:
(1) a biographical profile of the nominee
(2) a detailed justification for the nomination. This should not be more than 2 single spaced or 4 double-spaced pages.

Categories: Calls for & opportunities

Tags: African literature, African Literature Association, ALA Awards