And in their exciting Marvel Comics debuts, Ho Che Anderson (King) brings Luke Cage fans an old-school story about the choices that make a hero, author Tochi Onyebuchi (Beasts Made of Night, War Girls) tells an action-packed tale of a wild night in Madripoor with Domino, writer Stephanie Williams highlights family in a light-hearted Monica Rambeau story, and Marvel’s most promising young heroes-Ironheart, Ms. Explore Blade’s legacy – vampiric and heroic – in a story by writer Danny Lore (2020 Ironheart). Eisner Award-winning writer Nnedi Okorafor (Shuri) pens a Venom story highlighting the importance of heroes who fight for the downtrodden. The winner of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be announced in March 2017 and will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia to be mentored by renowned Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.Featuring a dazzling array of stories by both new and established creators, Marvel’s Voices: Legacy #1 will consist of seven thrilling tales plus an introduction by New York Times best-selling author Nic Stone (Shuri: A Black Panther Novel).

The judging panel, comprising Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila (chairperson), South African writer/activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate Edwige Rene Dro, now has the task of selecting three authors for the shortlist, which will be unveiled in December. Each novel reflects a very interesting and dynamic perspective that will provoke intense conversations about different personal and societal issues.” Speaking at the announcement, Matthew Willsher, chief executive officer of Etisalat Nigeria, said: “The novels in this year’s longlist represent a good number of African publishing companies.

Doctor by Julie Iromuanya (Coffee House Press, United States), The Peculiars by Jen Thorpe (Penguin Random House, USA), Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John (Cassava Republic, Nigeria), and And After Many Days by Jowhor Ile (Farafina an imprint of Kachifo Limited, Nigeria). The South African authors are joined on the list by: Mr. The longlist is made up of entries from first-time authors whose books were published in the past 24 months. They are: The Peculiars by Jen Thorpe (Penguin Random House) The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo (PanMacmillan, South Africa), Piggy Boy’s Blues by Nakhane Toure (Blackbird Books imprint of Jacana Media, SA), Dub Steps by Andrew Miller (Jacana Media, South Africa), The Seed Thief by Jacqui L’Ange (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa) and Nwezelenga: The Star Child by Unathi Magubeni (Black Bird Books Imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa).

SIX South African books have been long-listed for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature, writes ESTELLE SINKINS. Nwezelenga: The Star Child by Unathi Magubeni.

Mohale mashigo the yearning