NEWSLETTER
.This call is founded and sponsored by Joyfid Afrika, a company based in Nigeria, and supported by JA TV and JA Books.
Theme: The Weight of Silence
“The Weight of Silence” explores the collective burden of a nation caught in the stranglehold of unspoken struggles, where the cries of the people echo into the void, unheard and unaddressed. This theme delves into the silence that surrounds us, a silence rooted in fear, oppression, and unresolved pain.
Our nation faces a complex web of challenges ranging from relentless insecurity, unchecked terrorism, violent herdsmen invasions, religious and ethnic crises, to the dark undercurrent of ritual killings. These afflictions breed a deep sense of helplessness, where citizens cower in silence, unable to voice their pain without fear of retaliation. It is the silence that pervades our streets, our homes, and our communities, as families struggle to survive amidst the chaos.
In the face of these dire circumstances, there are promises, promises of stability, prosperity, and a better tomorrow, but these promises remain hollow, never materializing. The broken promises of reliable electricity, quality education, good roads, and job opportunities continue to haunt the dreams of many, turning hope into bitter disillusionment.
But the silence is not merely passive. It festers within the hearts of the youth, as they battle to build a future in a system that rewards corruption and punishes ambition. Dreams are crushed beneath the weight of systemic decay, leaving behind a generation caught between desperation and dreams deferred. Yet, even in this silence, the yearning for change simmers, a quiet rebellion against the forces that seek to drown their voices.
“The Weight of Silence” isn’t just about the past or the present; it is a haunting reflection on the future we are building or failing to build. It is the story of a nation at a crossroads, struggling to break free from the suffocating silence of oppression, and striving to rediscover the strength to rise, speak, and be heard.
The new submission period is:
March 14, 2025 – July 30, 2025
Eligibility
- Open to African writers only.
- Writers must be between 18 to 35 years of age.
- No entry fee required.
- Stories must center around the theme “The Weight of Silence”.
Submission Guidelines
- Entries must not have been previously published.
- Email subject should include the name of the short story, writer's name, address, mobile number, email address, nationality, state/city, age of the applicant, and “Short Story for the 2024/2025 First Edition of Joyfid Afrika Open Call for Submission Entries”.
- Submissions should be in English and reflect the theme “The Weight of Silence”.
- Only one entry per writer is allowed.
- Stories should be between 5,000 to 10,000 words.
- Submissions must be in Microsoft Word, with single line spacing and font size 12.
- Entries should be emailed to: joyfidafrika@gmail.com.
By Submitting to Joyfid Afrika 2024/2025 Short Story Entries, Entrants Agree to the Following Terms:
- Only short stories that meet the submission criteria will be considered for longlisting and publication in the anthology The Weight of Silence.
- Shortlisted writers will receive a free hard copy.
- Writers on the Shortlist will be offered an interview session.
- Shortlisted writers will be asked to submit their photos and other relevant information for publication in the collection.
- All funds raised from the sales of the anthology will be used to fund and develop the Joyfid Afrika short story entries for future editions.
Take this opportunity to share your unique perspective on the long journey our nation faces. We look forward to your submissions!
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