2027 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets Offers $1,000 and Book Publication

African poets with unpublished poetry collections are invited to submit their manuscripts for the 2027 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets, organised by the African Poetry Book Fund (APBF).

The annual competition supports emerging African poets by providing a cash award and an opportunity to publish their first full-length poetry collection internationally.

Benefits

The winner will receive:

• A cash prize of $1,000.
• Publication of their manuscript through the University of Nebraska Press as part of the African Poetry Book Series.
• International literary recognition.

Where the winning manuscript contains poetry translated into English, part of the prize will be awarded to the translator.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be African writers who have not previously published a book-length poetry collection.
• Have been born in Africa, be a national or resident of an African country, or have African parents.
• Submit an original manuscript written in English. Translations into English are also accepted.

Writers who have edited or published anthologies of other writers' work remain eligible. However, self-published poetry collections count as previously published books.

Current Brown University faculty members, students and employees, as well as paid employees of certain publishing organisations listed in the official guidelines, are excluded.

Manuscript Requirements

• Manuscripts must contain at least 50 pages.
• The author's name must not appear on the manuscript.
• Include a separate cover page containing only the manuscript title.
• An acknowledgement page listing previously published poems may be included.
• Submissions must be electronic.
• Multiple submissions are allowed.
• There is no entry fee.

Applicants are encouraged to use Times New Roman or Arial, size 12, single-spaced, with one poem per page. Entries will be reviewed anonymously. Application Deadline

December 1, 2026.

The submission period runs from September 15 to December 1, 2026, with the winner expected to be announced in June 2027.

How to Apply

Prepare your manuscript according to the guidelines and submit it through the official application portal.

Competition Information:

https://africanpoetrybf.brown.edu/2027-sillerman-prize-for-african-poetry-now-open/

Application Portal: https://africanpoetrybookfund.submittable.com/submit/46724/sillerman-first-book-prize-for-african-poets