Kalahari Press will be hosting two literary competitions a year, one on prose writing (fiction or nonfiction) and the other on poetry. The prize-winning and follow-up entries will be published in two anthologies the following year.

In line with contemporary audio-visual culture, and a need to broaden the appeal of poetry and writing, Kalahari Press will have the prize-winning and follow-up entries performed on video and shared with the broader public.

We seek for original entries that are original, imaginative, thoughtful, and impactful. Works that blend literary imagination and critical aspects of everyday life in the Global South and in immigrant communities in the countries of the North. Topics or issues in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Health/Medicine, and the living Environment will be highly welcome.

There is no entry fee or reading fee for submissions.

Short Fiction/Nonfiction/Comic Strip

• Top Prize: $750
• Second Prize: $500
• Third Prize: $250

Additional: Publication copy and a copy of any of the Kalahari Press’s titles.

Poetry

• Top Prize: $350
• Second Prize: $250
• 3rd Prize: $150

Submission Guidelines for Poetry

Please, before submitting your poem, check out the following.

I. Ensure that your poem is less than 50 lines.
II. Do not submit more than three poems.
III. Type in your poem. If you copy and paste it, it will alter the formatting as well as cause random text characters to appear throughout.
IV. The lines may be no more than 55 characters across, including spaces.
V. Your poem(s) must adhere to basic rules of capitalization.
VI. Do not type all of your poem(s) in capital letters.
VII. Do not capitalize the first letter of every word.
VIII. Only capitalize words that are proper (i.e. names and places).
IX. The first word of each line may be capitalized. If you decide to do so, ensure consistency throughout the poem(s).
X. Be sure to proofread your poem(s) for any grammatical errors and typos.
XI. Do not use “texting” lingo. Properly spell out all words.
XII. Avoid submitting poems that contain language that is offensive, or wholly inappropriate.
XIII. To ensure proper lineation, please use the “Enter” key to start a new line, indicating all intentional line breaks.
XIV. If you use full-stops in your poem(s) or prefer not to use them, be consistent.
XV. If your poem is in an international language other than English, submit a translation.

Submission Guidelines for Short Fiction in addition to those above that apply.

There are no set guidelines as to the content or length of regular submissions. All submissions however should relate to the Global South or to diasporas.

Short fiction submitted must be original and previously unpublished. Kalahari Press considers work that has appeared online (including on blogs and Facebook) to be previously published.

All manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced, with the author’s name, address, phone number, and approximate word count at the top of the first page and numbered throughout.

Send only your best work. Submit only one story at a time. There’s no submission fee.

We do not accept paper submissions.

Manuscripts could be written in English, French, Spanish, Swahili, or Arabic. Translations are acceptable but must be accompanied by a copy of the original text.

We will not consider simultaneous submissions.