We are delighted to share that poet and textile designer Star Zahra has been shortlisted for the prestigious Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) KMVL Poetry Prize for her second poetry collection, Girls and the Silhouette of Form, published by Masobe Books.
Star Zahra was first interviewed for Poet’s Talk in August 2019, and she has since edited several Black Poets features. Her work for Konya Shamsrumi can be found HERE.
This year’s shortlist is a strong and exciting one, featuring:
- Stoning the Wind by Gbemisola Adeoti
- Japa: Elegy for Nigerians by Toyin Shittu
- Girls and the Silhouette of Form by Star Zahra
Zahra’s literary journey began early. Her debut collection, The Dance of Dawn (2018), published when she was just seventeen, went on to be adopted as a set text at the University of Abuja and other institutions. With Girls and the Silhouette of Form, she not only expanded her poetic voice but also made history as the first female poet published by Masobe Books, the vibrant publishing house founded by Othuke Omniabohs.
The ANA KMVL Poetry Prize is one of the most important recognitions of contemporary Nigerian poetry, highlighting voices that are both innovative and deeply rooted in our literary tradition. The Association of Nigerian Authors was itself founded in 1981 by the late Chinua Achebe.
At Konya Shamsrumi, we celebrate Star Zahra and her fellow nominees for their commitment to the art of poetry and look forward to the announcement of the winner.