We are delighted to reveal the shortlists for the 2024 edition of The Isele Prizes.

The short stories, poems, and essays that appear on these lists respond to the central focus of our magazine, which is to publish works that explore themes that challenge conventional expectations, works that hold a mirror to society and continually remind us of the transformative power of stories and the beauty of language. Publishing them was an honor. 

Here are the shortlists according to their categories and in no particular order:

Fiction: 

  1. “Propane, Propane”  by Alex Leslie
  2. “She Lingers” by Okoronkwo Chisom
  3. “Parental Material” by Crystal Gross
  4. “Origin Of Giant Trees” by Elisha Oluyemi
  5. “fritɔŋ surreal” by Victor Forna
  6. “Is it Too Late?” by Pegah Ouji

Click here to learn more about the writers.

Poetry:

  1. “Three Poems” by Erinola Daranijo
  2. “Gurl” by Taiwo Hassan
  3. “Elegy” by Kharys Ateh Laue 
  4. “Two Poems” by Chiwenite Onyekwelu
  5. “Two Poems” by Claire Pinkston
  6. “Instead Of Measuring My Life In Productivity” by Melissa Sussens

Click here to learn more about the writers.

Nonfiction: 

  1. “How To Speak of a Miracle” by Joshua Chizoma
  2. “Dear Father, I Write to You From the Land of the Living” by Ucheoma Onwutuebe 
  3. “Faint Lines” by Nwanne Agwu
  4. “A Few More Words About Breasts” by Gloria Mwaniga 
  5. “Neither Here Nor There: Muslim Women & Resistance” by Izza Ahsan 
  6. “Waist Beads” by Ber Anena

Click here to learn more about the writers.

Important Dates

  • Longlists Announcement: March 6, 2024
  • Shortlists Announcement: April 8, 2024
  • Winners Announcement: May 21, 2024

See here for the all the latest news and updates about the prizes and here to read more about the prizes.