Perspective matters
A writing Competition
You’re only a writer if you write. There’s no other way.
Featuring different themes/topics every year, Perspective Matters is a writing competition that invites us to look at the challenges we face in our society through a solution rather than a problem-focused lens.
We ask writers of Kenyan descent to ferry us into their imagination, where we hope to be exposed to the endless possibilities within our collective reach, as human beings.
“After nourishment, shelter
and companionship,
stories are the thing
we need most in the world”.
Philip Pullman
2022 writing challenge
"It took courage"
This year—once again—we challenge you to write. We want to explore, through your eyes, what COURAGE means.
What is courage?
Courage is defined as the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says I will try again tomorrow.”- Anne Radmacher
The Writing challenge
We’re looking for stories of bravery, whether from the individual or community level—stories that sparked reinvention, recalibration, or new dawn in the way things are perceived and done.
Can you tell us about your personal experience, the experience of someone you know, or that of a community of people, and how this said experience, emanating from courage, led to impact?
Ultimately we want to hear about how taking courage led to change, a fundamental shift in your life, the life of someone you know, or the lives of others.
Do you have the courage to do this? Yes? Perfect. We can’t wait to read your work! Submissions open on 7/07/2022 and close on 8/08/2022.
Submission guidelines
Your story should be between 800 and 1000 words of original and formerly unpublished work, whether online or in print. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] by Monday 8th August 2022, 11.59 pm EAT.
some do's and Don'ts
- DO use Book Antiqua or Times New Roman (font) size 12.
- DO ensure your essay is between 800 to 1000 words.
- DO include your brief bio (in 3rd person) in the body of the email, and then attach the essay as a word document.
- DO give your story a relevant title.
- DON'T plagiarise. Plagiarism is not only disallowed but also detested and will immediately rule out your work when detected.
COMPETITION GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- This competition is open to individuals residing both within and outside of Kenya. They must identify as Kenyan and be 18 years or over. Employees of Qazini, their families and affiliate partners are not eligible to enter.
- Entry is limited to one per person. The winner(s) are responsible for ensuring they are able to accept the prize as set out and in accordance with these terms and conditions, in the event they are unable to do so then Qazini reserves the right to redraw the prizes.
- An eligible entrant must be an individual, must enter on their own behalf, and must include their name, e-mail address and phone number in the email body of the entry submission.
- By entering, all eligible entrants agree to abide by each and all these terms and conditions. Misrepresentative or fraudulent entries will invalidate an entry. Offering or receiving any incentive for voting is not permitted and will invalidate the vote, and may disqualify the recipient of the vote. Qazini reserves the right, with or without cause, to exclude entrants and withhold prizes for violating any of these terms and conditions. Qazini reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions. Any amendments will be published on the Website.
- Qazini reserves the right to publish entries (including parts of entries) other than the winning entry and publication does not necessarily mean the entrant has won a prize.
- Entrants will retain copyright in their submitted entries, however, by entering, all entrants licence Qazini a worldwide royalty-free perpetual licence to edit, publish and use each entry in any and all media (including print and online) for publicity and news purposes.
- The prizes may not be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.
- Each prize comes with terms and conditions, a period within which it should be claimed or redeemed. Winners are advised to check the vouchers for these terms and conditions.
- Winners may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize.
- The Judges' decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into.
- Uses of personal data received by Qazini in the course of the promotion are subject to the privacy policy found on the Website. Winners’ names may be published on the Website.
- Completion and submission will be deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions.
- Qazini reserves the right at any time to cancel, modify or supersede the competition (including altering prizes) if, in our sole discretion, a competition is not capable of being conducted as specified. Qazini reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value in the event that circumstances beyond their control make this unavoidable.
- The promoter of this contest is Qazini.
The Prizes
This year, we have doubled the prize money! Our prizes do not only offer monetary rewards, they are also carefully curated to hone your skills and open doors of opportunity for you as a writer.
All writers who submit an essay will be offered a free (online) writing workshop by Writers Guild Kenya as well as an “Introduction to creative writing” course module by Mystery Publishers subsidized at Ksh. 500.
.
1st position
Kshs 20,000
Other prizes include:
Writing opportunities with Qazini.
Writing workshop with the Writers Guild Kenya.
A 10% discount membership to Writers Guild Kenya.
Should you ever want to publish a book, the Writers Guild Kenya will extend a 15% discount.
Free “Introduction to creative writing” course module by Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute for the top ten writers
Meal voucher for 2 at The Chat Room (valued at Kshs 5,000).
2nd position
Kshs 10,000
Other prizes include:
Writing opportunities with Qazini.
Writing workshop with the Writers Guild Kenya.
A 10% discount membership to Writers Guild Kenya.
Should you ever want to publish a book, the Writers Guild Kenya will extend a 15% discount.
Free “Introduction to creative writing” course module by Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute for the top ten writers
3rd position
Kshs 5,000
Other prizes include:
Writing opportunities with Qazini.
Writing workshop with the Writers Guild Kenya.
A 10% discount membership to Writers Guild Kenya.
Should you ever want to publish a book, the Writers Guild Kenya will extend a 15% discount.
Free “Introduction to creative writing” course module by Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute for the top ten writers
4th-10th positions
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Prizes include:
Writing opportunities with Qazini.
Writing workshop with the Writers Guild Kenya.
A 10% discount membership to Writers Guild Kenya.
Should you ever want to publish a book, the Writers Guild Kenya will extend a 15% discount.
Free “Introduction to creative writing” course module by Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute.
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