Congratulations to the 2018 Small Axe Literary Competition winners. See list of winners and more information below.

Poetry
First place: “Kwas” by Sassy Ross from St. Lucia and the United States
Second place: “Ancestral Coda” by Suzanne C. Persard from Bronx, New York

Short Fiction
First place: “The Chicken Coup: A Distinctly Masculine Adventure for Distinctly Manly Men,” by Caroline Mackenzie from Port of Spain, Trinidad
Second place:  “Poui” by Ira Mathur from Port of Spain, Trinidad

Short List
Karen Lee of Canada
Erica Mapp of Trinidad
Margarita Rosario of the Dominican Republic
Shannon Smith of Jamaica
Robyn Stephenson of Jamaica
Kirk Budhooram from The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Sharon Lake of Anguilla
Brandon McIvor of Trinidad
Cathy Thomas of California
Tracey-Ann Wisdom of Jamaica

The Small Axe Literary Competition focuses on poetry and short fiction from emerging writers whose work centers on regional and diasporic Caribbean themes and concerns. Read full bios for judges and winners on our website.

The competition consists of two categories: poetry and short fiction. First and second prizes are chosen from each category by a distinguished panel of judges. In 2017, the Small Axe Literary Competition entered an important new phase, and for the first time invites entries in Spanish, English, and French, in a three-year rotation. In 2019, we will welcome submissions in French.

Visit the website for full details on the 2019 competition.