The Commonwealth Book Prize was inaugurated in 2011, marking the 25th anniversary of the Commonwealth Writers Prize, and first awarded in 2012.
The prize is awarded for 'best first book' and is open 'to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December [in the year previous to the award]. Publishers must enter the book on behalf of the author except in the case of self published authors from eligible regions who can make their own submission. Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £10,000.
The Commonwealth Book Prize is awarded in five regional sections, Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean, and the Pacific, and an overall winner is then declared.
Source: Commonwealth Foundation website, http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/
Sighted: 30/04/2012
