The African Literature Association is currently accepting nominations for the following awards. The awards will be presented at the ALA Conference, held on June 2-4 2026 at the University of Delaware.
Deadlines September 30, 2026
Book of the Year Award—Scholarship (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For an outstanding book in African literary studies published in the preceding calendar year 2025. Authors must be current members of the ALA. Book must be published by a reputable press that observes the peer review process. Authors or their publishers can make nominations. Send an author bio, one-page book abstract and confidential pdf of the manuscript to: ala27awards@gmail.com. Arrangements will be made for committee members who prefer to receive hard copies.
First Book Award—Scholarship (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For an outstanding book in African literary studies, which is the first book by the author, and published in the preceding calendar year 2025. Authors must be current members of the ALA. Book must be published by a reputable peer- reviewed press. Authors or their publishers can make nominations. Send an author bio, one-page book abstract and confidential pdf of the manuscript to: ala27awards@gmail.com. Arrangements will be made for committee members who prefer to receive hard copies.
Book of the Year Award—Creative Writing (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For an outstanding book of African literature, whether novel, non-fiction prose, play, or poetry collection, published in the preceding calendar year 2025 by an African writer. Authors must be current members of the ALA. Authors or their publishers can make nominations. Send an author bio, one-page book description, and confidential pdf of the manuscript to: ala27awards@gmail.com. Arrangements will be made for committee members who prefer to receive hard copies.
Best Short Story (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For an outstanding African short story published in the preceding calendar year 2025 by an African writer. Authors must be current members of the ALA. Authors or their publishers can make nominations. Send a pdf copy to: ala27awards@gmail.com.
Abioseh Porter Best Article Award (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For an outstanding article in African literary studies published in a major peer-reviewed journal in the preceding calendar year 2025. Authors must be current members of the ALA. Authors or their publishers can make nominations. Send a pdf copy to: ala27awards@gmail.com.
Graduate Student Best Essay Award (Deadline: September 30, 2026). For an outstanding paper in African literary studies by a graduate student. Authors must be current members of the ALA. The paper must have been presented at the preceding ALA conference (i.e. in 2026). (The expectation is that authors have had the benefit of comments at the conference and have revised the paper, while keeping it 10-15 pages in length (around 3000 words). Send by email with the subject line Graduate Student Best Essay Award to ala27awards@gmail.com the following: 1. the paper and an abstract, in Word document, with no name or any other identifying mark anywhere; 2. a pdf file of the 2026 ALA conference Program page showing the panel in which the paper was presented 3. CV and bio.
Fonlon-Nichols Award (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For excellence in creative writing and contributions to the struggle for human rights and freedom of expression, either in their actions and in their writings, or just in their writings. It is given every year to an African writer. The Award was established in 1992 to honor Bernard Fonlon and Lee Nichols for their contributions to both African literature and the freedom of expression. Authors cannot nominate themselves, and neither can their publishers nominate them. Send nominations as email document attachments to: Carli Coetzee at ala27awards@gmail.com. Please note: The nomination statement should contain: 1. a biographical profile of the nominee 2. a detailed justification for the nomination. This should not be more than 2 single-spaced or 4 double-spaced pages.
ALA Distinguished Member Award (Deadline: September 30, 2026) For outstanding record of service to the ALA and commitment to teaching and scholarship in African literature. By nomination only. Nominees must have distinguished themselves over the years in service to the ALA, and commitment to teaching and scholarship in, and promotion of, African literature. Self-nominations are not accepted. Send nominations as email document attachments to: ala27awards@gmail.com. Please note: The nomination statement should contain: 1. a biographical profile of the nominee 2. a detailed justification for the nomination. This should not be more than 2 single spaced or 4 double-spaced pages.