Society Gists

After spending several weeks poring over more than 1000 stories submitted for the GTBank Dusty Manuscript Contest, the judges of the competition have selected their top 20 entries.

The selected entries are:

Devil‘s Pawn byKukoghoIruesiri Samson
Home to the hill by Eunice Ekelaka
Sambisa by Mohammed, Fatima Aliko
The Smell of rain by NneomaOtuegbe
Omon by Henri Yeri
The Orchid ProtocolOnochie Emeka Onyekwena
Love Unexpected by Pailyin John
Children ofthe Night by ChimaobiOlayinkaAhuekwe
Giants by AdeyinkaIsioye
The Fugitive by Chidubem Akala
Kamalu’s Symphony by HayzardSolum
The Kidnappingby Oputuboye T.J. Krukrubo
Hues of the Sun by Ally Oyedokun, Maryam Wuraola
In the Half-Dark by AyosojumiAdeniyiAkinsanya
Book of Lost Words by IkechukwuNwaogu
Secrets beyond the Red Gate by Sylvia Ozomena
Lyrics by AdejokeOlamuyiwa
The Other Side of Truth by NnemaAnieto
Identity by Victor Oladutemu
The Way We Do It Here Now by OnyekaIbe

The judges, which include renowned authors EghosaImasuen, 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.

Theauthors 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’sYouREAD initiative, which is aimed at promoting the culture of reading and inspiring the next generation of award-winning and globally renowned authors.

To read excerpts of shortlisted manuscriptsvisit:

http://bit.ly/dustytop20