About ARIBP
The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize (ARIBP) is awarded annually for the best independently published book (fiction, poetry, and creative/narrative non-fiction). The Prize is open to African independent writers resident on the continent and in the diaspora.
The Prize aims to recognise quality self-published books with unique and extraordinary stories addressing current and future Africa (Afro-currency and Afro-futurism) for books not more than three (3) years old since publication.
The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is managed by Mystery Publishers, a Kenyan premier pan-African independent publisher with a bias toward African speculative fiction and genre/pop literature stories.
Key Highlights
2022 – The 2022 Prize was open only to books & authors published by Mystery Publishers.
2023 – The 2023 edition of the Prize is open to Kenyan writers resident in Africa or in the Diaspora.
2024 – The Prize will be open to African writers resident in the continent or in the Diaspora.
The Prize, designed by Xhuma Maseeti, Usanii Mashariki Gallery
Prize Criteria
- Selection of submitted books by Mystery Publishers. We look for professionally published books (whether a book is well presented—cover, pictures [if relevant] and layout) following industry standards.
- The selected books are then taken through public voting, where readers vote for the book with the most extraordinary story to produce a shortlist of ten books.
- The shortlisted books are forwarded to a judges’ panel comprising beta readers, editors, authors, and publishers. They are given Book Score Sheets to complete for every book received. In general terms, the most important aspects they will be looking for are: whether a book is well written (including structure and style), and Afro-currency and Afro-futurism in the themes.
Ksh.30,000
2023 Submissions Closed
2023 Eligibility Criteria
The 2023 Prize is open to Kenyan authors. A Kenyan is a citizen by birth if, on the day of the person’s birth, whether or not the person is born in Kenya, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen or through naturalisation.
Self-publishing companies may submit books on behalf of their authors.
Books Eligible
- Print (hard copies) and eBooks (PDF only).
- Books submitted should be published in English.
- Not more than three (3) years since publication.
- Traditionally published books are not eligible.
- eBooks should not be a gift to download from Amazon. This is because the gift goes to just one person. Because of the judging process, the ebook may need to be read by multiple people.
- We will not accept invitations to download files from websites.
Books submitted should tell an extraordinary story about the present or future of Africa (Afro-currency and Afro-futurism).
Prize Timelines
Submit Your Book
Submission Guidelines
Five (5) hard copy books for every title submitted are to be dropped at/sent to Nuria Bookstore, The Bazaar Building, Moi Avenue, 11th Floor, Suite No. 1105, Nairobi, addressed as follows:
To Mystery Publishers Limited
Tel: +254 718 429 184
Book Prize Submission
By [Your Name and Contact Details]
Once you send or drop your books at Nuria Bookstore, please let us know via email at bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com
- eBook submissions should be through email (bookprize@mysterypublisherslimited.com) as follows:
- subject heading: ‘Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize submission by YOUR NAME’;
- Cover email and the eBook attached.
Submission Fee
Print books – Ksh.2000 per title.
eBooks – Ksh.1,000 per title.
Payments to be sent to Mystery Publishers through one of the following methods:
- PayPal or Payoneer, email address mysterypublishers@gmail.com for those using PayPal/Payoneer/international writers, or
- Lipa M-Pesa, Pay Bill No. 909534 with your name as the account number,
- Credit/Debit Card payment through Publisher’s online payment gateway, DPO Payments (the Author to contact the publisher for procedures), or
- Mobile Banking using M-Pesa:
Go to M-Pesa>Paybill (put KCB Paybill 522522)>Account No. 1203888244>Amount>Enter your M-Pesa PIN>OK
- Direct Bank Deposit to:
A/c. Name: Mystery Publishers Limited
A/c. No. 1203888244
A/ Currency: Kenya Shillings (KES)
Bank SWIFT CODE: KCBLKENX
Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB)
Branch: Tom Mboya, Nairobi, Kenya
Bank Clearing Code: 01107
ARIBP Supports Reading Culture
Schools & Libraries
Mystery Publishers shall print:
- 1,000 copies of the prize-winning book, and
- 200 copies each of the first and second runners-up books.
and donate them to schools and community libraries.
What You Get For Participating
- Prestige as a publisher is one of the many benefits of being named a winner of this distinguished award. In addition, all shortlisted writers receive:
- Recognition before the awards ceremony on the ARIBP website.
- Archived listing after the awards ceremony on the IRIBP website.
- Personalised award certificate for the winner and first and second runner-up.
- Engraved trophy marking their achievement (Winner only).
- Free marketing and promotion of the book/winner during the winning year.
- A press release template to use when personally announcing the winning book.
- Special award digital stickers to affix to the winning, runner-up, and shortlisted book(s).
- Inclusion in the announcement to the media, Mystery Publishers’ events and activities, Mystery Publishers’ and ARIBP’s social media channels (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), and more.
- Distribution of the winning book through all the channels available to Mystery Publishers.