Medical Doctor-turned-author Dan Kairo Wins the 2024 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize
Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Announces 2024 Winner Nairobi, Kenya – October 30, 2024 – The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2024 edition: Sibiloi: The Genesis of Humanity? by Dan Kairo. This prestigious award celebrates the best independently published books by African authors, recognising outstanding contributions to literature that address current and future African narratives. Dan Kairo’s Sibiloi: The Genesis of Humanity? captivated the judges with its compelling storytelling and profound exploration of humanity’s origins. Set against the backdrop of Sibiloi National Park in Northern Kenya, the novel intertwines archaeology, mythology, and suspense, offering readers a unique and thought-provoking journey. The 2024 shortlist featured an impressive array of works from talented authors across the continent, showcasing the diversity and richness of African literature. The first runner-up was Run, Cheche, Run (YA novella) by Tony Mochama (Kenya), and the second runner-up was Joe’s Collectanea by Joshua Omeke (Nigeria). They were both presented with a certificate. Other shortlisted authors were: Serving God With Joy by Mary Maganga (Kenya) How to Help the Boy Child by Wilson Macharia The winner, Daniel Kairu Kiaraho, writing as Dan Kairo, will receive Ksh 20,000, scholarships to select creative writing courses at Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute, and a book distribution offer to all Mystery Publishers distribution channels. Dan Kairo joins the previous winners, Engineer Peter Nduati (2023) and Jerusha Kananu Marete (2022). “We are incredibly proud to honour Dan Kairo with this year’s prize,” said Vincent de Paul, the Publishing Manager at Mystery Publishers. “His work exemplifies the spirit of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize, celebrating the power of independent publishing and the vibrant voices of African authors.” The chairperson of the judging panel, Lexa Lubanga, founder of Kenyan Readathon and ardent supporter of Kenyan writers/literature, Lexa said: “Let us come together to collaborate in elevating the standards of our literary community, ensuring that these remarkable stories attain the recognition and appreciation they truly deserve.” The judging panel comprised reader and passionate supporter of African literature, Lexa Lubanga (Kenya) as the chairperson; Dr Michael Dickel (Israel) as the vice-chairperson; and members writer and columnist Empress Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki (Kenya), writer Lesalon Kasaine (Kenya), avid reader Xavier Omweri (Kenya), Tanzania-based Kenyan teacher, Richard Mbuthia, and Dr Carren Odhiambo from Rongo University (Kenya). For more information about the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize and to view the full list of shortlisted books, please visit https://bookprize.mysterypublisherslimited.com/shortlisted-books/2024-shortlist/.
2024 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Open for Submissions
The 2024 edition of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize for quality, independently published books (fiction, poetry, and creative/narrative non-fiction) by African authors is open for submissions. About the Prize. The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is an annual prize managed by Mystery Publishers, a Kenyan premier pan-African independent publisher with a bias toward African speculative fiction and genre/pop literature stories for quality, professionally self-published books. The 2024 winner will be awarded Ksh.20,000 (might increase depending on available funding). GUIDELINES The Prize is open to African authors on the continent or in the diaspora. An African is a citizen of any African country by birth if, on the day of the person’s birth, whether or not the person is born in any African country, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen or through naturalisation. Self-published authors only. (Proof of self-publishing to be provided.) A book or author is self-published if: It is DIY publishing (the author does all the publishing process by themselves); They engage professional author services providers/companies to provide the services for them (invoices and receipts for such services to be provided); They publish their books using self-publishing companies (a publishing agreement in addition to invoices and receipts to be provided); or Self-publishing companies may submit books on behalf of their authors (copies of publishing agreements, invoices and receipts issued to authors, and business registration/incorporation certificate to be provided). Books Eligible Print (hard copies) and eBooks (PDF only). Books submitted should be published in English or translated into English. Not more than three (3) years since publication (only books published in 2021 and later). 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). Submissions close on 15 April 2024. Submission Fee Print books – Ksh.3000 or USD 20 per title. eBooks – Ksh.1,500 or USD 15 per title. Payments to be sent to Mystery Publishers through the online payment gateway, PesaPal. Click Here to pay. 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 CC afrikaredefinedbookprize@gmail.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. 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. (Public voting accounts for 10% of the overall evaluation.) 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. The winning book is announced at an award ceremony at Alliance Francaise de Nairobi, and the winner is awarded the prize money, a trophy, and a certificate. The first and second runners-up will be awarded a certificate. Mystery Publishers shall print 1,000 copies of the winning book and donate them to schools and community libraries. The winning author shall be expected to accompany MPL during these events.