Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Launches 29th Annual Competition

The Central Bank of Barbados is calling all Barbadian writers and spoken-word artists to enter the 29th annual Frank Collymore Literary Endowment (FCLE) competition. The competition opens on July 31, welcoming works such as prose fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and spoken word. 

“The FCLE competition is an important one, as many of its winning writers have not only had their work eventually published regionally and internationally, but their winning works, some of which are also in translation, are now part of the Caribbean literary canon”, said Dr. Yvonne Weekes, chair of the FCLE and award-winning writer.

The competition is open to original, unpublished work across a wide range of themes, styles, and perspectives. Entrants have the chance to win prizes up to $10,000 in the literary category and $5,000 in the spoken word category. Developmental scholarships may also be awarded.

The John Wickham Prize, valued at $1,000, is available to writers under the age of 25. The Prime Minister’s Award is presented to the work that, in the opinion of the judges, portrays Barbados and its culture in a way that encourages reflection and fresh insight.

Interested writers are asked to visit fch.org.bb to review the entry guidelines and submit their work before September 1.

Since its inception in 1998, the Central Bank of Barbados-sponsored endowment and competition have played a significant role in supporting Barbadian literary talent, bringing greater visibility to emerging and established voices. It forms part of the Bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting the arts and culture in Barbados, which also includes investing in the Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition and the broader Crop Over Festival.