Goals of SAPEN

SA PEN is committed to promoting the principles of the Charter of International P.E.N. in southern Africa.

It aims:

- to oppose oppression of writers and defend freedom of expression.

- to encourage the attainment of high literary standards in South Africa.

- to promote the interests of South African writers.

- to offer prizes for literary competitions.

- to continue searching for new writers.

- to reach out to southern Africa in this quest, thus forming literary bonds with these countries.

to distribute regular e-newsletters to all members.

- to send one SA PEN delegate to an International P.E.N. Congress annually in order to promote the South African viewpoint in the global literary debate.

PEN / STUDZINSKI LITERARY AWARD

SA PEN is sad to announce that our PEN "New Writing" series ended with the publication of African Pens 2011 by Jacana Media in May 2011. We are looking at alternative ways of encouraging young writers in the 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community. Watch this space. The winners of the 2011 PEN/Studzinski Literary Award were announced at the launch of African Pens 2011, published by Jacana Media, at an event held at The Book Lounge, Cape Town, last night, 19th May.

SA PEN Interviews the 2011 PEN/Studzinski Literary Award Winners...read more

Prize Winners 2011 – as selected by JM Coetzee

1st - £5 000 The Story by James Whyle
2nd - £3 000 Heatwave by Beth Hunt
3rd - £2 000 The Ticket by William Oosthuizen

JM Coetzee also stated: ‘The following five stories deserve honourable mention’

Quiver by Rosemund J Handler
The Sunday Paper by Rosamund Kendal
Parking the Guilt by Kyne Nislev Bernstorff
Claremont Park by Bobby Jordan
July by Joline Young

Congratulations to the winners and to all finalists featured in African Pens 2011! This anthology, featuring the 21 shortlisted entries, can now be purchased at The Book Lounge, Exclusive Books stores and other good bookshops.

Details of the next PEN/Studzinski Literary Award will be announced in 2012. Please note that SA PEN is not accepting submissions in 2011.