University writers named on longlist for Jhalak Prize 2021

Dr Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Alex Wheatle and Danielle Jawando are all in the running across the prize categories

University writers have made the longlist for the Jhalak Prize 2021, an annual literary prize that supports and celebrates writers of colour in Britain.

Since 2017, the Jhalak Prize has accepted entries published in the UK by writers of colour from a range of genres including fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels and poetry.

University academic staff Dr Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Alex Wheatle and Danielle Jawando are all in the running across the prize categories.

Dr Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, novelist and short story writer and Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, is featured on the longlist for the Jhalak Prize with her novel The First Woman.

Published in autumn last year, The First Woman has received widespread praise in both the UK and US and was first written while Dr Makumbi was studying for a Creative Writing masters degree at Manchester Metropolitan over 15 years ago.  

The feminist coming-of-age tale follows Kirabo growing up in a small Ugandan village surrounded by powerful women. It follows Kirabo’s journey to becoming a young woman and finding her place in the world, as her country is transformed by the dictatorship of Idi Amin.

Speaking in October, Dr Makumbi said: “It is the novel I wrote with Michael Schmidt [former Writing School tutor] at Manchester Metropolitan University for my MA Class 2001-2003. It was rejected far more times than the first one Kintu so it is quite satisfying.

“The response to it, both in the UK and in the US, has been astounding. It was worth waiting for.”

Dr Makumbi studied for a PhD at Lancaster University before joining Manchester Metropolitan in 2018. Her first novel Kintu won the Kwani Manuscript project in 2013, was longlisted for the Etisalat Prize in 2014 and won the prestigious Windham Campbell Prize for Fiction in 2018. Her first short story collection Manchester Happened was published in 2019.

In addition to Dr Makumbi’s nomination, Romalyn Ante, who was named as joint winner of the 2017 Manchester Writing Competition, is also featured in the longlist for the Jhalak Prize 2021.

For the first time this year, a new award longlist has been announced for the Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize for books aimed at young readers by writers of colour. This award accepts books spanning a range of genres including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, poetry and non-fiction.

Award-winning author and Lecturer in Creative Writing Alex Wheatle and Danielle Jawando, author and screenwriter and Associate Lecturer (Writing for Children), are both featured on the inaugural longlist.

Wheatle’s novel Cane Warriors is inspired by the true but little-known story of an 18th century slave rebellion in the Caribbean. It follows the 1760 rebellion in Jamaica, known as Tacky’s War, through the eyes of 14-year-old boy Moa.

Wheatle said: “I'm delighted to be longlisted in the Jhalak children's/YA prize. As a UK BAME writer, it's very difficult to be shortlisted for awards like the Carnegie so the Jhalak prize can offer recognition and profile for UK writers of colour.”

Jawando’s debut novel And the Stars Were Burning Brightly is an extraordinary story about loss, understanding and the importance of speaking up when all you want to do is shut down. It explores issues around mental health, suicide, bullying and growing up around social media.

Jawando’s previous publications and broadcasting credits include her 2012 short story Paradise 703 which was published by DeadInk and longlisted for the Finishing Line Press Award in 2011. She has had several short plays performed at the King’s Arms in Manchester and Stratford Circus in London, and in 2015 she worked as a storyline writer on Coronation Street.

Her short story The Deerstalker was selected as one of six finalists for the We Need Diverse Books short story competition.

Jawando said: “The Jhalak Prize is such an important and much needed award. As a debut author, I'm so honoured to be longlisted alongside so many writers I admire.” 

The shortlist for both prizes will be announced on April 13 and the winners will be revealed on May 25.