I received the absolute best news yesterday. The Peculiars is one of 9 books (6 South African, 3 Nigerian) to be long listed for the Etisalat prize for Literature. I am extremely honoured to have been considered and humbled to have been long listed alongside writers whom I respect and whose writing I enjoy so much.
The long list includes the following 9 books:
- Mr. and Mrs. Doctor by Julie Iromuanya (Coffee House Press, USA)
- The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo (Pan Macmillan, South Africa)
- Piggy Boy’s Blues by Nakhane Toure (BlackBird Books, imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa)
- The Peculiars by Jen Thorpe (Penguin Random House, South Africa)
- Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John (Cassava Republic, Nigeria)
- And After Many Days by Jowhor Ile (Farafina, imprint of Kachifo Limited, Nigeria)
- Dub Steps by Andrew Miller (Jacana Media, South Africa)
- The Seed Thief by Jacqui L’Ange (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)
- Nwelezelanga: The Star Child by Unathi Magubeni (BlackBird Books, imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa)
I wish everyone the best of luck and congratulations!
Jen Thorpe 