Literary Awards are a key element for many successful writers. The PEN/Studzinski Literary Award is an original short story competition for African writers under the age of 40. Judged by Nobel Laureate JM Coetzee, this new award offers young African writers the opportunity to gain national and international acclaim. A friend told me about one of the stories that made it through to the shortlist: A Star in my Camp by Beatrice Lamwaka. The topic she chose had me hooked and I’m pleased to announce that she agreed to let me interview her for Serendipity Poetry. Read about her shortlisted story and her life as a writer in Northern Uganda, below.

1.What was the first piece you had published and how did you feel, seeing it in print?

My first publication was Vengeance of the Gods and it was part of an anthology called ‘Words from a Granary’. It contained stories written by Ugandan women writers in 2001. I was very excited. The launch of the anthology was big…organized in Equatorial Hotel. I invited my family and friends, and was happy to see them at this very important occasion. Autographing the anthology made me feel great and I knew that I had taken the right path in my life. Since then, I have been writing constantly, but I haven’t had another experience like in the first publication.

 2. What was the journey to publication like? What were the major pitfalls and how did you overcome them?

I had written for two years without getting anything published. This was very frustrating, especially since I come from a country where the reading culture needs a lot of work. When I joined Uganda Women Writers Association there was a movement of women from Uganda to publish and promote women writers.  It was great being part of this group. We went to schools to read to students, invited established writers to facilitate writers’ workshops and had a week of activities celebrating women writers. Most of these women began to win international and national recognition for their writing. This made me realize what was possible and my work has now achieved both national and international recognition.

3. Everyone says, write what you know. How have your own experiences impacted your writing? Do you think it is possible to write something inspiring that isn’t based on experience?

I write the stories I know. I was raised in Gulu, Northern Uganda. There has been two decades of armed conflict in this area which has had a huge impact on my life. Most of what I write is about the things that I saw, heard, and felt in Northern Uganda. Most of my stories are about life in the internally displaced people’s camps, rebels, surviving war etc.

Recently, I have been thinking about writing a story focusing on genital mutilation. The Acholi don’t circumcise women but some parts of Uganda have experienced use of this practice, although there is an attempt to curb it. I hope to do a lot of research in order to complete the story and give it a setting may be in Nakapiripirit or Kapchorwa district.

4. You’re nominated for the PEN/Studzinski Literary Award recently. Why do you think you’ll win? Who do you consider to be your main competitors?

My story ‘The Star in my Camp’ is very strong. It’s based on a true story about a little girl who is defiled by her uncle, who is supposedly infected with the HIV virus. It’s one of those stories that I composed in my mind for a long time, knowing that I would have to write in down one day. I wrote it nonstop, from beginning to the end. However, I cannot say that the rest of the 33 stories are not strong enough. I know this is a tough competition but I hope to win.

5. What new doors would open for you if you win the PEN/Studzinski Literary Award?

The submissions for PEN/Studzinski Literary Award totalled 827 African authors in 2009. Only 34 stories were selected as finalists by the PEN Editorial Board, comprising Shaun Johnson (Chair), Anthony Fleischer, Justin Fox, Harry Garuba, Alistair King and Mary Watson. The Nobel Laureate JM Coetzee is currently judging the shortlisted stories and will choose the winners of the first (£5000), second (£3000) and third (£2000) prizes. The winners will be announced in May 2009. This is a huge award! It provides the international recognition that any writer would want.

6. In what way do sociology, politics and economics impact literature?

Sociology, politics and economics are parts and parcels of every writer’s life. These are issues that we deal with everyday and so it will always show in our writing/literature.

7. Who are your favourite writers and why? Would you say any of them have influenced your own work?

I like Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Goretti Kyomuhendo and Okot p’Bitek. They have helped me to realize that I can write my stories.

8. Has the internet had any effect upon your writing career?

I have submitted to so many writers competitions and submission calls for short stories through the internet. My short stories ‘Queen of Tobacco’, and ‘Vengeance of the Gods’ are published online, making my stories available to a wider audience. I have also met and maintained contact with many writers through the internet. This motivates me to write.

9. What kind of writing would you like to see more of?

I would like to see more of African contemporary books on the shelves in Kampala. I have a Book Club and we read and discuss mainly African books, but it is difficult to find most of these books in bookstores. We have to rely on making special orders to get access to these books. More than the type of writing available, I wish it was always easy to buy the books that I want to read.

Many thanks to Beatrice for agreeing to this interview.

The  PEN/Studzinski results are announced in May 2009. I will be covering the results on Serendipity Poetry.