British-Ghanaian journalist and writer, Yepoka Yeebo has emerged as one of the Jhalak Prize Shortlist with her book, Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Swindled the World published by Bloomsbury. Judged by Anni Domingo, Stella Oni and Denise Saul, Yeebo is among a list of other shortlisted candidates.
Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Swindled the World traces the outlines of Blay-Miezah’s life, shedding light on how he perpetrated his deceptions for years while living in incredible opulence. She delves into archives across the Atlantic, digs up criminal proceedings and conducts interviews with victims and associates alike, in the process telling us not just about Blay-Miezah, but about the world that enabled him to thrive.
The Jhalak Prize is Britain’s premier literary award for writers of colour. It celebrates exceptional talent across all genres, including fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry and short stories, whilst its sister award, the Jhalak Children’s & Young Adult Prize rewards authors of colour writing for younger audiences.
In his words, the Prize director, Sunny Singh says of the prize:
“Every year, the Jhalak Prize shortlists exemplify literary excellence in contemporary Britain and mark them as future classics. I am in awe of the courage required to tackle difficult themes and ideas coupled with the command of the chosen genre and form demonstrated by our shortlistees”.
Yepoka Yeebo is a British-Ghanaian journalist whose work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, the Guardian, Quartz, PRI’s The World and other publications, and she has been interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered. A graduate of Columbia University’s School of Journalism and the University of London, she divides her time between London, UK, and Accra, Ghana. Anansi’s Gold is her first book.
Congratulations Yeebo!
Bongiwe T. Maphosa
Bongiwe Maphosa is a budding author with a passion for storytelling. With her thought-provoking narratives, she takes her readers on a literary adventure. Bongiwe's works on the human condition from a fresh perspective have earned her recognition and publications in the Avbob Poetry Anthology of 2019, The Writer's Club of South Africa 2021, and JAY Lit in 2021. She hopes to cement her place in the literary community.
