The Carnelian Heart Short Story Anthology 2024 is a collection of stories by African writers selected from the short story competition organised by Carnelian Heart Publishing as part of their vision to bring the richness of African writing to a global stage and provide opportunities for African writers, both established and new, who are trying to set their mark in the literary world.
The 2024 edition had over a hundred submissions from authors all over Africa, of which 19 were shortlisted for publication in this anthology, a roster which includes authors from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. Three winning stories were selected from the nineteen and their authors awarded different cash prizes and publishing contracts.
The winners of the 2024 competition were:
1. 'The Cafeteria' by Tanaka Chidora
2. 'All is Fair' by Victor Ajwang
3. 'God Created A Thing' by Fatima Okhuosami
The final stories were compiled and edited by Lazarus Panashe Nyagwambo.
The titular story, 'Things you cannot say with your mouth', was written by Joseph Jegede
The Carnelian Heart Short Story Anthology 2024 is an inaugural collection of stories by the following African writers shortlisted in the short story competition organised by Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd.
Tanaka Chidora
Victor Ajwang
Fatima Okhuosami
Kudzai Parutu
Sibongumusa Ncube
Elias Muonde
Salma Amanda Latifa
Augustine Tashinga Mudzudza
Chioniso Tsikisayi
Beverley Ann Abrahams
Elton Ndudzo
Tafadzwa Madzika
Mlungisi Radebe
Chiedza Nyanyiwa
Otsile Sebele Seakeco
Flora Chikasha
Takomborerwa Shenje
Gift Mukunga
Joseph Jegede