Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize

The Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize

About the Prize

This prize, established in 2020 by Jaachi Anyatonwu, is awarded annually to previously unpublished African poets. The Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize is open to poets only and is intended to amplify the literary skills of young African poets, encourage the development of new writing talent, and help to promote the richness and diversity of African literary traditions.

2020 (Maiden Series) Winners

Uchendu Njionye’s voice whispers and murmurs the existential abyss of humanity, with due regard for motherhood as the source of existence and transition.

“The Rubies In Me” is a poetry chapbook by Kpobari Peaceful, the 2nd runner-up of the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize, 2020 Series.

2021 Series Winners

SEASHELLS

I bought my freedom
From the arms of the oceans
For littered footprints on her shore.

ALAGEMO

Oh, my friend of many colours,
How much I admire you?
If you can lend me your cloth
I shall seek to visit my father
In my grandfather’s pantaloon.

2022 Series Winners

The twenty-five poems contained in this chapbook manuscript titled ‘Courageous’ range from courageous desires through achievements.

“On The Mount” is a chapbook by Overcomer Ibiteye, the 3rd runner-up of the 2022 series of the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize.

“In Conversations” is a chapbook by Abasiama Nora Udom, the 2nd runner-up of the 2022 series of the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize.

White Sun Incandescence is a chapbook by Osy Mizpah Unuevho, the 1st runner-up of the 2022 series of the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize.

Submission Guidelines

ELIGIBILITY

The Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize for African Poets will only accept “first book” submissions from African writers who have not published a book-length poetry collection. This includes self-published books if they were sold online, in stores, or at readings. Writers who have edited and published an anthology or a similar collection of other writers’ work remain eligible.

An “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa, who is a national or resident of an African country, or whose parents are African.

Only poetry submissions in English can be considered. Work translated from another language to English is accepted, but a percentage of the prize will be awarded to the translator.

No past or present paid employees of Poemify Publishers, or past winners of any prize by Poemify Publishers, are eligible for the prizes.

Entrant must be African or of African origin.
Entrant must be previously unpublished. If you have published a chapbook-length of poetry, you are automatically disqualified.
Poems in the chapbook must be 25 poems minimum or 30 poems maximum.
Format: 12 Font. Times New Romans. Single spaced.
Save Word Doc in the following format before upload: Full Name-Title-PPCP2024. E.g. [Amaka Adamu Akan-Hell’s Home-PPCP2024].
Judge’s decision is final.