Black Crake Books announces winners

Maureen Odubeng | Thursday March 6, 2014 16:46

 

Tsamaase walked away with P2,500 and a publishing deal from Black Crake Books.

Tsamaase’s manuscript is a science fiction novel set in a futuristic Palapye, Botswana where people are being sucked up into the sky.

“I am beyond ecstatic.  I would like to thank Black Crake Books for this amazing competition and making publishing so possible for writers in our country.  It makes writers feel appreciated,” Tsamaase said.  Tsamaase is a final year Architecture student at the University of Botswana (UB).  This was not her first win, as she has previously won the UB Creative Arts and Culture Awards 2013.  Her Unlettered Skies Of The Sublime won first prize in the novel category of the Bessie Head Literature Awards.

The Black Crake Books second prize went to Julie Adams for her manuscript Jolly - The Life Of An Indian girl In Southern Africa.  Adams received a cash prize of P1,500 and a publishing contract, while the third prize went to Leungo Serumola, who won P500. “The awards have shown that the talent and desire is there, and we at Black Crake Books are looking forward to unearthing and publishing more talented writers,” founder and director of Black Crake Books, Nick Green said. Green said his company is looking forward to working with talented writers. “With regards to the next awards, submissions will commence this year in August.  We are looking forward to discovering new talent and publishing,” he said.

Black Crake Books was founded in 2012, and has so far published four titles, including a book by one of the popular local writers Lauri Kubuitsile.