20 BUDDING NIGERIAN WRITERS ADVANCE IN GTBANK DUSTY MANUSCRIPT CONTEST

LAGOS, Nigeria – After spending several weeks poring over more than 1000 stories submitted for the Dusty Manuscript Contest, the judges have selected top 20 entries.

The selected entries are: Devil‘s Pawn by Kukogho Iruesiri SamsonHome to the hill by Eunice EkelakaSambisa by Mohammed, Fatima AlikoThe Smell of rain by Nneoma OtuegbeOmon by Henri YeriThe Orchid Protocol Onochie Emeka OnyekwenaLove Unexpected by Pailyin JohnChildren of the Night by Chimaobi Olayinka AhuekweGiants by Adeyinka IsioyeThe Fugitive by Chidubem AkalaKamalu’s Symphony by Hayzard SolumThe Kidnapping by Oputuboye T.J. KrukruboHues of the Sun by Ally Oyedokun, Maryam WuraolaIn the Half-Dark by Ayosojumi Adeniyi AkinsanyaBook of Lost Words by Ikechukwu NwaoguSecrets beyond the Red Gate by Sylvia OzomenaLyrics by Adejoke OlamuyiwaThe Other Side of Truth by Nnema AnietoIdentity by Victor OladutemuThe Way We Do It Here Now by Onyeka Ibe 

The judges, which include renowned authors Eghosa Imasuen, Yejide Kilanko and Toni Kan, as well as an Assistant Professor of English Language Dr Ainehi Edoro-Glines, carefully selected the top 20 entries based on originality, language, grammar, narrative strength, coherence and dramatic intensity.

Throughout the selection process, the judges were not made aware of the identities of contestants, and the authors of the 20 shortlisted entries will remain anonymous until the winner of the contest emerges.

The authors of the shortlisted manuscripts will now proceed to a 2-day Writers Boot Camp where they will interact with and learn from accomplished authors on the art and business of writing.

Organized in partnership with publishing houses Okadabooks and Farafina, The Dusty Manuscript Contest is part of GTBank’s YouREAD initiative, which is aimed at promoting the culture of reading and inspiring the next generation of award-winning and globally renowned authors.