A Nigerian writer, who emerged the winner of 2018 McKitterick Prize, is invited to speak at the Marlborough Literature Festival in the United Kingdom, in September this year.
The McKitterick Prize is awarded for a first novel by a writer over 40, the Society of Authors said.
Anietie Isong, the author of a debut novel- Radio Sunrise, is the first Nigerian to win the award since its institution in 1990.
“I wrote Radio Sunrise to help draw attention to a myriad of issues in Nigeria, and I am thrilled that this resonated with the judges,” Isong said.
Speaking at the event which took place at the Royal Institute of British Architects Aamer Hussein, the prize judge and fellow of the Royal Society of Literature commended Anietie’s distinct writing.
He said “It’s a particular pleasure to discover the original, intriguing voice of Anietie Isong. In his brief, deftly told Radio Sunrise, the author depicts his often-hapless protagonist’s sexual mishaps and political travails on a journey to his hometown with a unique blend of humour and poignance. An intriguing and accomplished new novelist.”
Apart from receiving the £4,000 prize money, Isong has received previous awards like a Commonwealth Short Story Award and the Remember Oluwale Writing Prize.
Anietie Isong, a journalist, speechwriter and public relations manager in the United Kingdom and in Nigeria recently completed a Ph.D in New Media and Writing at De Montfort University, Leicester.
