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Charlotte Amalie
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeArts-EntertainmentThe Caribbean Writer Chooses Winners of Literary Prizes

The Caribbean Writer Chooses Winners of Literary Prizes

The Caribbean Writer Vol. 32

Volume 32, this edition of the Caribbean Writer, which is entitled “Rough Tides, Tough Times: Reflections and Transitions,” is a tribute by Paget Henry in memory of Wilson Harris.

“We received over 300 submissions for this edition of The Caribbean Writer. The selections represent a wealth of talent from within the region and its diaspora,” said Alcess Lewis-Brown. “As always, our work at The Caribbean Writer requires a dedicated focus because submissions are year-round, nonstop and just about 24/7 because of the fact that our Caribbean authors live and work all over the Caribbean region and its diaspora as far away as England, India, Japan and Canada. They are as close as Jamaica, St. Lucia and Grenada, of course, the Virgin Islands,” she said.

The Caribbean Writer, nestled within the University of the Virgin Islands College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, has announced the prize winners for its Volume 32 edition. Winners in the various categories are as follows:

The Daily News Prize for an author/ resident in the U.S. Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands has been awarded to Virgin Islands author, poet and essayist Clement White for “Fia’bun An’ Dey Queen Dem—Re-Examination DWI Sits and History in Search of a V.I. Identity.” This prize to a prose or fiction writer is a longstanding prize sponsored for over two decades by the Virgin Islands Daily News.

The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for best short fiction goes to Trinidadian-Bahamian poet and fiction writer Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming, who was selected for a story entitled “Spider and the Butterfly.” This prize is offered on behalf of the founder/ publisher of the St. Croix Avis. It has been offered for more than three decades by Rena Brodhurst, owner and publisher.

The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize for a new or emerging writer goes to Jody Rathgeb who was selected for her short story entitled “Uncle Jeep.” This prize is sponsored by Dasil Williams, wife of the late Marvin Williams, deceased editor of The Caribbean Writer.

The Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize to a Caribbean author whose work best expresses the spirit of the Caribbean goes to Jane Bryce, who is selected for her work entitled “When it Happened.” This prize is sponsored by Gov. John de Jongh on behalf of his wife for her abiding support and interest in the literary life of the Virgin Islands and the region.

The David Hough Literary Prize to an author residing in the Caribbean goes to Patricia Nelthropp Fagan for her story “Jewish Island Girl.” This is the final instalment of this prize. The Caribbean Writer thanks Ms. Sonya Hough of Sonya Ltd. for decades of support to the Virgin Islands literary community.

For the first time, The Caribbean Writer is awarding The Vincent Cooper Literary Prize to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (a term used by celebrated post-colonial Caribbean author Kamau Brathwaite to describe vernacular language born in the Caribbean). The 2019 recipient is Dionne Peart for her short story ‘Merica.” This prize is sponsored by University of the Virgin Islands Professor Vincent Cooper, Ph.D., a longstanding member of The Caribbean Writer’s Board of Editors, himself a Rhodes Scholar, author and poet.

Beginning with Volume 34 (2020), authors may also qualify for The Boyce Literary Prize to be given to an author residing in the Caribbean whose work best expresses the changing social dynamics of regional life. The prize is sponsored by Michael and Vicky Boyce, author and photographer, international travelers and owners of Boyce Plumbing Contractors, a Virgin Islands business that has been serving the community for over 50 years.

The Caribbean Writer truly appreciates this level of support and thanks its prize sponsors for their generous gesture towards improving literacy and literature, not only within the Virgin Islands but also the broader Caribbean region and beyond. Accordingly, the internationally refereed journal, edited by Alscess Lewis-Brown, welcomes new prize sponsors who are keenly interested in cultivating and advancing the literary life of the region.

The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize of $400 for best short fiction.
The Daily News Prize of $500 to a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.
The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize of $500 to a new or emerging writer.
The Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize of $500 to a Caribbean author whose work best expresses the spirit of the Caribbean.
The Vincent Cooper Literary Prize of $300 to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (Kamau Brathwaite).
The Boyce Literary Prize of $500 to a Caribbean author for a work that best expresses the changing social dynamics of regional life.

For more information on The Caribbean Writer, please visit www.thecaribbeanwriter.org

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