The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Anambra State Chapter, has opened submissions for the 11th edition of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, inviting poets, essayists and literary enthusiasts from Nigeria and other parts of the world to contribute original works in honour of the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
The annual anthology, which has become a major feature of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, provides a platform for writers to explore Achebe’s life, literary achievements, philosophy, cultural consciousness and enduring influence on African literature and the world. The forthcoming edition will continue this tradition of preserving his intellectual heritage through creative writing and critical reflection.
This year’s anthology is coming behind the 10th edition, titled “Achebe — Arrow of Wisdom,” which was unveiled at the 10th Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture which held in November 2025.
The upcoming anthology forms part of activities leading to the 11th Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, scheduled for November 2026 in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria.
The 2026 edition of the Festival and Memorial Lecture will be organised by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) in partnership with JT PLAY HUB and the Creative Law & Intellectual Property Financial Forum (CLIFF), organisers of ANUFEST 2026. The partnership is expected to bring additional creative energy and wider engagement to this year’s celebration of Achebe’s life, works and literary legacy.
Initiated in 2016, the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture is held annually around 16 November, the birthday of the renowned author of Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, No Longer at Ease and other celebrated literary works. Over the years, the Festival has sustained a tradition of bringing writers, scholars, students, cultural enthusiasts and lovers of literature together to reflect on Achebe’s contributions to African storytelling, identity, history and intellectual thought.
Speaking on the call for submissions, the Project Coordinator and Editor-in-Chief of the anthology, Izunna Okafor, who is also the Anambra State Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, said the new edition offers another opportunity for writers to engage with Achebe’s legacy through original, thoughtful and imaginative expressions.
Okafor explained that the anthology is not intended to be a collection of poems and essays on general literary subjects, but a dedicated body of creative and critical works that reflect the person of Achebe, his writings, ideas, achievements and continuing relevance to contemporary society.
He therefore encouraged both emerging and established writers to take advantage of the open call by submitting works that demonstrate originality, literary depth and a clear connection to the life and legacy of the celebrated novelist.
According to him, the annual publication remains one of the enduring ways through which the Society of Young Nigerian Writers celebrates Achebe while encouraging a new generation of writers to engage with the literary heritage he left behind.
“Writers are invited to contribute poems, essays and literary reviews that offer fresh perspectives on Chinua Achebe, his books, his ideas and the influence of his works on literature, culture and society. We are particularly interested in submissions that approach these with originality, clarity and creative depth,” Okafor said.
He added that the call is open to writers and contributors from any part of the world, with no submission fee required. However, he emphasized that all entries must be original works of the submitting authors, and must comply with the stated guidelines.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
1. Eligible Entries: Submissions must be poems, essays or literary reviews. Other genres will not be considered.
2. Subject Matter: Every submission must focus on Chinua Achebe, his life, personality, literary works, writing style, achievements, philosophy, cultural vision, influence, legacy or any other subject directly connected to him.
3. Length: Essays and literary reviews must not exceed 500 words, while poems must not exceed 20 lines. Entries that exceed the stipulated limits may be disqualified.
4. Genre Specification: Each entrant must clearly indicate whether the submission is a poem, essay or literary review.
5. Author’s Details: Every submission must include the author’s location/contact address, phone number, email address and a brief biography of not more than 40 words.
6. Originality: All entries must be original works of the authors submitting them. Plagiarised works will be automatically disqualified and exposed.
7. Number of Entries: Only one entry per person is permitted. Entrants are therefore advised to submit their strongest work.
8. Language: Entries may be written in either English or Igbo language.
9. Title: Contributors may give their works any suitable title of their choices, provided the subject and content meet the requirements of the anthology.
10. Submission Email: Entries should be sent to: achebeanthology@gmail.com, and copied to: synwanambrachapter@gmail.com. The subject of the mail should read: “11TH CHINUA ACHEBE POETRY/ESSAY ANTHOLOGY (SPECIFY GENRE).”
Example: 11TH CHINUA ACHEBE POETRY/ESSAY ANTHOLOGY (POETRY)
11. Submission Format: The entry, including its title, must be pasted into the body of the email; NOT AS AN ATTACHMENT. Submissions sent as attachments will not be accepted.
12. Deadline: Submission ends OCTOBER 28, 2026. All entries must be received on or before the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.
BENEFITS:
– Accepted poems, essays and literary reviews will be published in the 11th Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, with soft and hard copy editions planned.
– Published contributors and their works will receive media promotion and publicity.
– Every author whose work is accepted for publication will receive a Certificate of Participation.
– Each accepted contributor will be entitled to a copy of the published anthology.
– The authors of the ten best poems and ten best essays/reviews will receive special recognition and Certificates of Award during the 2026 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture.
– Young Nigerian writers whose works are accepted will be eligible for free admission into the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, subject to the organisation’s membership arrangements.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, calls on writers, students, literary scholars and creative enthusiasts to be part of this year’s anthology by submitting works that celebrate Chinua Achebe’s remarkable contribution to African literature and the continuing relevance of his ideas.
For enquiries and further information, contact:
Email:
Phone:
+2348163938812, +2348028029868
Izunna Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
