By Iminza Keboge
Published May 15, 2018

BBC Hausa Women’s Writing Contest 2018 is now open for submissions.A short story-writing competition for women writing in Hausa is open for entries.

BBC Hausa, whose brainchild the contest is, says entries must be engaging works of fiction on any topic and should be between 1000 and 1500 words.

“The competition provides a platform for budding and established women writers to showcase their creativity and share their stories,” Jimeh Saleh, Editor of BBC Hausa Service, says of the contest that was launched two years ago. “We had over 400 entries last year and the stories had unique and fascinating perspectives on the daily challenges women face especially in Hausa communities.”

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Maimuna Sani Beli, the winner of the annual contest in 2017 whose exploration of life after death was described by the jury as ‘bold and creative,’ says winning the competition has opened many doors for her in the world of fiction writing.

Entries, BBC Hausa says, are to be submitted to labari.bbchausa@bbc.co.uk by midnight, July 8, 2018 and that a panel of judges will select one winner and two runners-up.

Grandma's List, abook written by Ghanaian Portia Dery and illustrated by South African Toby Newsome, the 2014 Golden Baobab Prize winning story for Best Picture Book, has been awarded the 2018 Children's Africana Book Award (CABA).“BBC Hausa audience will be able to hear a selection of the stories on air in the coming months,” BBC Hausa says. “The winner and two runners up will each receive a cash prize and plaque at a special awards night in the first week of Abuja in October.”

While details of how to enter and the full terms and conditions are available on bbchausa.com, inquiries or requests for further information may be directed to Marina Forsythe, Communications Publicist for BBC World Service Group, via marina.forsythe@bbc.co.uk/.

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BBC Hausa, that is said to be reaching 23.3 million listeners weekly, broadcasts on radio, online and TV in West Africa and its Diaspora.

Grandma’s List by Ghana's Portia Dery was brought to life with vibrant illustrations by South African artist, Toby Newsome and was published by African Bureau StoriesMeanwhile, Grandma’s List, the 2014 Golden Baobab Prize winning story for Best Picture Book has been awarded the 2018 Children’s Africana Book Award (CABA). Grandma’s List was submitted as an unpublished manuscript to the Golden Baobab Prize by Portia Dery, a first-time entrant from Ghana.

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CABA is an annual award presented to authors and illustrators of the best children’s and young adult books in Africa published or republished in USA.

Grandma’s List was brought to life with vibrant illustrations by South African artist, Toby Newsome and was published by African Bureau Stories, a publishing partner of the Golden Baobab Prize.

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