2009 PEN/Studzinski Literary Award finalists announced

Just under 200 stories were longlisted, and 34 stories were chosen as finalists by the PEN Editorial Board comprising Shaun Johnson (chair), Anthony Fleischer, Justin Fox, Harry Garuba, Alistair King and Mary Watson. Nobel Laureate JM Coetzee is currently judging the shortlisted stories and will choose the winners of the first (£5,000), second (£3,000) and third (£2,000) prizes.

The winners will be announced in May 2009. Details regarding the announcement will be posted on www.sapen.co.za. The finalists' stories will be included in an anthology of new writing from Africa to be published later this year.

Writers and stories selected as finalists for the Pen/Studzinski Literary Award 2009 are:

• Ken Barris - The life of Worm
  
• Nadia Davids - The visit
  
• Ceridwen Dovey - Survival mechanisms
  
• Joan du Toit - An informed decision
  
• Graham Ellis - No match for Fanie Smith
  
• Rosemund J Handler - Strident night
  
• Jeanne Hromnik - Love In troubled times
  
• Karen Jayes - Where he will leave his shoes
  
• Suzanne Jordaan - Beulah
  
• Bobby Jordan - Metalhead and Situation Orange
  
• Chisanga Kabinga - Display cabinet
  
• Ken N Kamoche - A kiss in Nanjing
  
• Yvette Kruger - What I wore
  
• Lauri Kubuitsile - Pulani's eyes
  
• Beatrice Lamwaka - The star in my camp
  
• Jennifer Lean - To each his own
  
• Irene McCartney - Pauline's ghost
  
• Jenna Mervis - The lives of dogs
  
• Kirsten Miller - Only in art
  
• NoViolet Mkha Bulawayo - Snapshots
  
• Wame Molefhe - Rainbow-coloured dreams
  
• Natasha Moodley - Spirit of Madala
  
• Isabella Morris - Bluette
  
• Kyne Nislev Bernstorff - The last supper
  
• Naomi Nkealah - In the name of peace
  
• Maik Nwosu - In Leopardville
  
• Tolu Ogunlesi - River Falling
  
• Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi - Area boy rescue
  
• Andrew Salomon - A visit to Dr Mamba
  
• Alex Smith - Soulmates
  
• Dineke Volschenk - Glorious wounds
  
• Phillippa Yaa de Villiers - Keeping everything the same
  
• Hayet Z - Flypapered days

The PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Award has replaced the HSBC/SA PEN Literary Award and aims to encourage new creative writing in Africa. It is open to all citizens of African countries writing in English, and offers writers on the continent an opportunity to develop or launch a literary career.