Storymoja Hay Festival Writing Contests
“The biggest gathering of incredible minds talking about everything that affects and informs our daily lives.” The Star
The Storymoja Hay Festival takes place from 16th – 18th September at the Railway Sports Club Grounds in Nairobi, Kenya. The Festival is a three day celebration of stories, ideas, writing and contemporary culture through storytelling, books, live discussion forums, workshops, debates, live performances, competitions, mchongoano and music. It is organized in collaboration with Storymoja, the Hay Festival (UK) and British Council. The Hay Festival held in the UK every May attracts up to 150,000 people ranging from presidents to authors to fans.
The Storymoja Hay festival attracts the most exciting local and international writers and thinkers. With four event tents, and the Storyhippo children’s village, this year’s line-up has something for all tastes. From a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, to Man Booker Prize winning author, from the earth’s only stand-up comedian for children to funky science experiments, from storytelling workshops to sessions with the world’s funniest travel author; the Storymoja Hay Festival promises both engaging and stimulating discussions as well as light-hearted entertainment.
For 3 days, from 16th – 18th September 2011, the Railway Sports Club Grounds in Nairobi comes alive with stories, ideas, laughter and music.
For members of the Storymoja Writing Community, of interest to you would be the Workshops that will run during the festival as listed below:
- Creative Writing with Ben Okri
- Writing workshop with Hari Kunzru
- Writing for Children
- Travel writing with Peter Moore
- Poetry with Yusef Komunyakaa
- Performance Poetry with Beth Lisick
- Illustration workshop with Stian Hole
And here’s your chance to do what you love – write – and win Season Passes (for all 3 days) to the festival, including entry to all workshops of the day.
1. Storymoja Short Story Writing Contest.
Theme/Topic: This is my African Story
Genre/Category: Urban Narrative
Length: 1500 words (Max word count)
Prizes:
1st Place: Season Pass, a spot in all the workshops for the day, access to Pink Lounge to mingle with the Stars.
2nd Place: Gate Pass for one of the first two days, including entry to all workshops of the day.
Deadline to send in story: Friday 9th September 2011 at 4pm East African Time. Send in your story in word 97 attachment to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke. Make sure you mark in the subject line: Storymoja Hay Festival Short Story Writing Contest (all submissions not marked as such will be disregarded).
2. Storymoja Hay Festival Poetry Writing Contest
Theme/Topic: This is my Africa
Prizes:
1st Place: Season Pass, a spot in all the workshops for the day, access to Pink Lounge to mingle with the Stars.
2nd Place: Gate Pass for one of the first two days, including entry to all workshops of the day.
Deadline to send in poem: Friday 9th September 2011 at 4pm East African Time. Send in your poem in word 97 attachment to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke. Make sure you mark in the subject line: Storymoja Hay Festival Poetry Writing Contest (all submissions not marked as such will be disregarded).
Winners will be informed of which day the specific workshops fall on so they can schedule themselves.
“The 2009 Nairobi Storymoja Hay Festival was an absolute blast. The writers and others there included Vikram Seth, Hanif Kureishi, Tony Kan, Kate Adie, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Francois Devenne, Monica Arac, Tolu Ogunlesi, Chika Unigwe, Lee Siegel, Doreen Baingana, Dayo Foster, Billy Kahora, Judy Kibinge, Yvonne Owuor, Parselelo Kantai, Wambui Mwangi and the inspirational and inspired Muthoni Garland, the force of nature behind the whole shebang.” Petina Gappah, author of ‘Elegy for Easterly’