The 5 Finalists for the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature

In What's the Buzz by Edward Nawotka

Burt Award for Carribbean Literature

CODE and the Bocas Lit Fest have announced the finalists for the 2015 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.

The shortlisted titles are (in alphabetical order):

  • Children of the Spider by Imam Baksh, Guyana (manuscript to be published)
  • Putting Up a Resistance by Michael Cozier, Trinidad and Tobago (self-published book)
  • Dancing in the Rain by Lynn Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago (manuscript to be published)
  • Prayer to the Motivator by Kamau Mahakoe, Jamaica (manuscript to be published)
  • The Dolphin Catchers by Diana McCaulay, Jamaica (manuscript to be published)

Up to $22,000 CAD in prize money will be awarded to up to three winners, who will be announced at a Gala during the 2015 NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (29 April – 3 May). As part of the prize, CODE will ensure winning manuscripts will be published by a Caribbean publisher.

The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature is an annual Award that will be given to three English-language literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by Caribbean authors. Established by CODE – a Canadian charitable organization that has been supporting literacy and learning for over 50 years – in collaboration with William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation and the Bocas Lit Fest, the Award aims to provide engaging and culturally-relevant books for young people across the Caribbean.

About the Author

Edward Nawotka

A widely published critic and essayist, Edward Nawotka serves as a speaker, educator and consultant for institutions and businesses involved in the global publishing and content industries. He was also editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives since the launch of the publication in 2009 until January 2016.