African Short Stories Vol. 1

OBJECTIVES

The short story is a very important but largely neglected medium for artistic enlightenment and educational development of many cultures. Most creative writers and novelists had started out with short story writing although few have been consistent and successful in handling the difficult compressed narrative structure of the story telling tradition. In African tradition it is an elegant and celebrated means of cultural education and moral upbringing of the young. The Literary Society Online is poised to revive literary and critical interest in African short fictions and their transmission to the modern world in a new information age.

SUBMISSION FACTS

Submissions are open to all published, not-yet-published, older and younger writers from Africa.

A writer may submit one or more entries.

Entries with grammatical inaccuracies and tardy typographical finishing may not be accepted.

Entries in Swahili, Xhosa, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba (and any other African language of world broadcast) will be considered IF an equivalent in English translation is attached.

The Literary Society adopts blind blind review of all submissions and will consider quality of language and style of composition.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Each submission could be less, but not more than, 10,000 words of an original composition.

A story is a work of strong and powerful imagination; although life writing will be considered, submission based on pedestrian concepts, mere journalese and over-beaten concerns will not be fitting for this volume.

A work that relies upon or recreates familiar oral traditions and legends must have at least 75% innovation and variation in its composition.

Stories may reflect aspects of modern or traditional life but credible fictional characterisation (human and animal as in folk tales) and a visionary perspective on conflict within the tradition of the short fiction narrative will merit especial recognition.

Modern literary experimentations across the genres (poetic and dramatic) and the marriage of traditional story telling with modern narrative techniques might prove useful.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Submissions are ongoing for the year 2010. Initial Entries for review should be sent to LISON at lisonet@gmail.com

All submissions will be read and owners will be forwarded the reviewers’ reports. LISON will issue Publication and Membership notification to successful candidates subject to final and satisfactory review of submitted stories.

Successful entrants may also qualify for membership and accompanying privileges of The Literary Society International.