The Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry is an annual award for a collection of poetry by an African writer. It is the only pan-African prize for a single collection of poetry. It is named for the poet and literary philanthropist Glenna Luschei and is managed by the African Poetry Book Fund. Previous winners include Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, Kobus Moolman, Otoniya J. Okot Bitek, and Koleka Putuma.
History The prize was established in 2014. It is named for and funded by the poet and literary philanthropist Glenna Luschei, who also endowed awards and the editorship at the literary journal Prairie Schooner. The prize is administered by the African Poetry Book Fund, under its founding editor Kwame Dawes, in partnership with Prairie Schooner at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
The prize is open to collections by poets born in Africa, or who are nationals and residents of an African country, or whose parents are African. The collection must be 48 pages or more and must be written in English or published in an English translation.
The prize is judged by a single writer each year. Judges have included Chris Abani, Bernadine Evaristo, Aracelis Girmay, and John Keene. Initially, the prize was $5000. Currently, it stands at $1000.
Winners
YearAuthorTitleJudgeRef2014Chijioke Amu-Nnadithrough the window of a sandcastleChris Abani2015Kobus MoolmanA Book of RoomsGabeba Baderoon2016Rethabile MasiloWaslapMatthew Shenoda2017Otoniya J. Okot Bitek100 DaysJohn Keene2018Koleka Putuma Collective AmnesiaBernardine Evaristo2019Mangaliso Buzani a naked bone Aracelis Girmay2020Maneo Refiloe Mohale Everything is a Deathly FlowerPhillippa Yaa de Villiers2021Leila ChattiDelugeChris Abani2022Togara Muzanenhamo VirgaMatthew Shenoda2023Tawanda MulaluPlease Make Me Pretty, I Don't Want to DieJohn Keene2024Momtaza MehriBad Diaspora PoemsAracelis Girmay2025Siphokazi JonasWeeping Becomes a RiverPhillippa Yaa de Villiers
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