Submissions Open: The Caine Prize for African Writing

Deadline: 27-Feb-2026

The Caine Prize invites publishers to submit outstanding short fiction by African writers, providing a platform for stories between 3,000–10,000 words published within the last five years. Eligible submissions must be fictional short stories, and publishers retain author consent while the Prize gains reproduction rights for promotional use. Shortlisted authors are invited to participate in events, gaining global exposure for African literature.

Program Overview

The Caine Prize is a prestigious award recognizing excellence in African short fiction. It supports publishers in showcasing literary talent while promoting African storytelling internationally. The Prize emphasizes quality, originality, and the ability to engage readers across diverse contexts.

Key Focus Areas

• Fictional short stories 3,000–10,000 words

• Stories published in the five years preceding the deadline (before 27 February 2026)

• African writers, defined as:

  • Nationals of an African country

  • Authors with at least one African parent by birth or nationality

Who Can Submit?

• Publishers only: including physical and digital book publishers, literary journals, magazines, and arts-oriented websites

• Authors must be over 18 years old at the time of submission

• Self-published or unpublished stories are not eligible

• Multiple entries permitted, but only one story per author

Eligible Genres

• Only fictional short stories

• Ineligible genres include:

  • Novels

  • Children’s literature

  • Factual writing, academic essays

  • Plays, poetry, autobiography/biography

  • Non-fiction or works not considered fictional short stories

Submission Requirements

Publishers must provide:

• Proof of author consent for submission

• Author’s African nationality or parental link

• Word count of the short story

• Digital stories submitted as PDF or PDF with link to publication

• Only works published within the last five years are considered

Important Guidelines

• Stories may only be submitted once for consideration

• Ineligible submissions include any not meeting criteria above

• By submitting, the publisher and author grant the Prize permission to:

  • Reproduce and distribute shortlisted works in anthologies and promotional materials

  • Ensure authors receive full credit for excerpts used

Shortlisted Authors

Selected authors are expected to participate in:

• Panel discussions

• Interviews

• Readings

• Other literary events (online or in-person)

Participation provides:

• International exposure

• Networking opportunities within the literary community

• Enhanced visibility for African literature globally

Why It Matters

The Caine Prize:

• Amplifies African voices on the world stage

• Encourages publishers to invest in quality short fiction

• Provides a professional platform for African authors to gain recognition and career opportunities

• Supports the preservation and promotion of African storytelling traditions

How to Submit / Steps

1. Ensure the story meets eligibility criteria: African author, fictional short story, 3,000–10,000 words, published within five years

2. Obtain author consent for submission

3. Prepare PDF files or PDF with publication links

4. Include author nationality, word count, and publisher information

5. Submit before the deadline (27 February 2026)

6. Await notification of shortlisted entries

Tips for Publishers

• Verify story publication date and word count compliance

• Confirm the author has not submitted the story elsewhere for the Prize

• Include accurate and complete author and publication information

• Ensure digital files are accessible and formatted as PDFs

FAQ

1. Who can submit to the Caine Prize?
Only publishers may submit entries, not authors directly.

2. What types of stories are eligible?
Fictional short stories between 3,000–10,000 words, published within the last five years.

3. Can an author submit multiple stories?
No, only one story per author is allowed, though a publisher may submit multiple authors’ works.

4. Are self-published stories eligible?
No, self-published or unpublished works are not eligible.

5. What happens if a story is shortlisted?
Authors will be invited to Prize-related events such as panels, readings, or interviews, gaining global exposure.

6. Can the Prize use the submitted stories?
Yes, the Prize may reproduce and distribute shortlisted works for anthologies and promotional purposes, with full credit given to authors.

7. What is the submission format?
Digital entries must be PDFs or PDFs with publication links.

Conclusion

The Caine Prize is a premier platform celebrating African short fiction. By connecting publishers with talented authors, it amplifies African storytelling on a global stage, promotes literary excellence, and provides meaningful exposure for authors and publishers alike.

For more information, visit The Caine Prize.