Chinaza James-Ibe has emerged winner of the 2024 ACT Award for ‘Fly and Corpse’, a story that is as unsettling as it is compelling.
A press statement from the organisers described the winning entry as a “a haunting exploration of grief, denial, the supernatural, and the dangers of holding on too tightly to what has been lost, ‘Fly and Corpse’ is a testament to the power of storytelling.”
Continuing it noted that the story presents the reader with “an original and deeply disquieting premise (a daughter gives birth to her deceased father) the story deftly navigates themes of love, sorrow, and the human compulsion to defy loss. In an age where we’re taught that anything is attainable, instantly and on demand, this story is a reminder that some boundaries are not meant to be crossed.”
In picking ‘Fly and Corpse’ as the winner, the judges said they were impressed by its “ambitious and original concept, its exceptional prose, and its vivid imagery. The story leaves a lasting impression and demonstrates remarkable promise.”
Organised by the Awele Creative Trust, a non-profit organisation founded in 2014 by award winning writer, Chike Unigwe, who is also its creative director, the annual short story prize was conceived to encourage aspiring writers in Nigeria.
The first ACT was awarded in January 2015 to Caleb Adebayo. The judges over the years included Justine Labalestier, Brian Chikwava, Toni Kan Onwordi, Madeleine Thien, Joe Dunthorne, Chibundu Onuzo, Vamba Sherif and Monica Arac d’Nyeko.
