Black History Month Literary Competition: Stories of the Diaspora in the UK
In celebrating Black History Month 2023, the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE invites the general public to make submissions in its literary competition themed, “Roots, Bridges and Echoes: Reclaiming our Stories”. This is a chance for you to tell us about your experiences and connections with the Black diaspora in the UK.
What Are They Looking For?
- Personal stories about Black experiences in the UK.
- Show how these stories link your origins to your life in the UK.
- They can be about your personal journey, cultural mix, challenges, or any topic that represents the Black diaspora.
- Open to everyone, especially those who identify as Black or have connections with Black communities.
In their words, “The understanding of this theme is open to the interpretation of the writers and could cover anything from religion and politics to migration and adaptation, challenges of their migrant journey, tales of assimilation, the marriage of cultures in its beauty or sadness, the carriage of community and resilience or just about anything that shows the true spirit of blackness and/or the diaspora. The important thing is to tell a story and to ensure that this story is personal and heart-felt.”
Categories:
- Fiction (up to 1000 words)
- Creative Non-Fiction (up to 1000 words)
- Poetry (up to 40 lines)
Who Can Enter?
- Stories should be about Black experiences in the UK.
- Black migrants, or those with connections to the Black diaspora, are encouraged to join.
- You can submit work in one or two categories.
How to Submit:
- Email your writing as a Word doc to pfal@lse.ac.uk. Use font: Times New Roman, size: 12, spacing: 1.15.
- Email subject: Your category (e.g., ‘BHM Fiction 2023’).
- In the email, give your name, city, title of your work, entry category, email, and phone number.
- Your writing should be original and not published elsewhere.
- Don’t put your name on the attached writing. Only in the email body.
- If chosen, your story might be published online or in a book.
Prizes:
- 1st Prize: £150 voucher and a certificate.
- 2nd Prize: £100 voucher and a certificate.
- 3rd Prize: £50 voucher and a certificate.
The top three finalists will also have a one-one session with an inspiring literary personality.
Deadline: October 31st at midnight.
- ELEGY FOR THE THINGS WE’VE BEEN THROUGH by Olalekan Ayodele - August 16, 2024
- ANNOUNCING THE SEVHAGE/KSR HYGINUS EKWUAZI LITERARY PRIZES 2023 LONGLIST - October 30, 2023
- UBUNTU 2.0 at the London School of Economics: Celebrating Rich Voices, Culture and the Black Experience with V. Osarumwese, McInerney, Agape, Omeke, Su’eddie Agema, E. Mwambulukutu and Orayyy - October 28, 2023
