Ghanaian writer and filmmaker Boakye D. Alpha has been longlisted for Simon & Schuster UK's prestigious New Chapter competition, an initiative created to discover and amplify the voices of unagented fiction writers of colour.
This places Alpha's work among a select group of entries recognised by one of the world's leading publishing houses. According to a LinkedIn post by the writer, his manuscript was chosen among the top 14 submissions from more than 500 entries.
'On January 19, I received a career‑defining email. My novella had been longlisted by Simon & Schuster. And this was an application I submitted on a whim. It was one of those ‘let me just do this; you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’ moments.
But, there I sat staring at the email, trying to process the fact that someone at a Big Five publisher had read my manuscript and pitch and believed it belonged in the top 14 out of more than 500 submissions. That kind of affirmation does something to you.' he said.
Reacting to the news, Alpha described the recognition as both validating and career-defining, noting that the opportunity provided renewed confidence in his craft and growth as a writer.
The longlisting adds to a growing list of accomplishments for the Ghanaian creative, whose work spans fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and filmmaking.
Over the years, he has received recognition from various literary and creative platforms and has established himself as a rising voice in contemporary African storytelling.
The New Chapter initiative is judged by members of Simon & Schuster UK's Adult Fiction editorial team alongside leading figures in the publishing industry, with entries assessed on the quality of the work and its publishing potential.