In a heartfelt message to aspiring writers, Sanjana Thakur, the 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner, has extended an invitation to storytellers worldwide to participate in the 2025 edition of the prestigious competition. Thakur, whose winning story drew inspiration from her home city of Mumbai and India’s rich oral storytelling tradition, emphasised the importance of sharing local narratives on a global stage.
“Stories represent our culture, our traditions and are a fundamental part of who we are,” Thakur stated. She encouraged writers to submit their best work before the November 1 deadline, highlighting the prize’s celebration of storytelling diversity. The competition accepts entries in 13 languages, underscoring the value of local narratives and the power of translation.
Reflecting on her own journey, Thakur shared the profound impact of participating in the prize. “There’s something deeply rewarding about sharing part of yourself with the world,” she said. Thakur’s experience with the Commonwealth Short Story Prize not only allowed her to share her perspectives but also introduced her to a passionate and supportive writing community. “Reading their work continually reaffirms my own ambition and desire to tell stories,” she added.
Thakur also spoke about the joy of success within the prize community, whether it’s making the longlist for the first time, representing a small island nation on the shortlist, or experiencing the ‘pinch me’ moment of having a story published on Granta. She emphasised that the journey itself is valuable, offering writers the chance to practice their craft, learn from the experience, and join a global network of readers, writers, and storytellers.
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize, a cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation, aims to elevate the voices of the people of the Commonwealth, believing in the transformative power of creative expression to provoke debate and inspire action on important issues. The Foundation’s mission aligns with the prize’s goal of celebrating diverse storytelling and fostering a supportive community for writers.
Aspiring writers are encouraged to sign up for exclusive writing tips and guidance before submitting their entries. Thakur’s message is clear: “To anyone who wants to tell stories: enter the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. No matter how successful your submission is, you’ll have practiced writing, learned something valuable from the journey, and joined a wonderful group of readers, writers, and storytellers from every corner of the world.”
For more information about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the Commonwealth Foundation, visit their official website.
