A fast rising Nigerian writer and publisher, Kukhogo Iruesiri Samson,  fondly called KIS, has won the maiden edition of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank) Dusty Manuscript Contest. 

Samson won the cash prize of a million naira and a publishing contract with one of the Nigeria's finest publishing outfit, Farafina Books with his nine years old manuscript titled "Devil's Pawn".

Announcing his win in a series of post on Instagram yesterday's evening, KIS wrote:

"I want to thank all of you who supported my writing over the years. I am pleased to announce that I have won the 2018 Dusty Manuscript Contest - 1 million naira cash prize and a publishing contract with Farafina Books..."

His manuscript triumphed out of the over a thousand submissions and the carefully selected Top 20 entries later shortlisted a week ago, based on originality, language, grammar, narrative strength, coherence and dramatic intensity.

Throughout the selection process, the Judges which include renowned authors Eghosa Imasuen, Yejide Kilanko and Toni Kan, as well as an Assistant Professor of English Dr. Ainehi Edoro-Glines, were not made aware of the identities of contestants. 

Finalising on a blind review process that led to the winning of KIS's "Devil's Pawn", the Contest Judges have this to say:

“The winning entry was a unanimous choice…The story is the best example of the possibilities inherent in genre fiction switching from crime to adventure, thriller to horror. Told in a fast paced narrative style that keeps you glued to the pages, our winning entry is a gift that keeps on giving.”

Recall that Devil's Pawn was shortlisted and became the 1st Runner Up in the ANA's 2017 Prose Prize.

Before its shortlist last year for ANA Prize, Samson had episodised the draft on Pulse.ng some years back.

Organized in partnership with publishing houses: Okadabooks and Farafina, The Dusty Manuscript Contest is part of GTBank’s YouREAD initiative, which is aimed at promoting the culture of reading and inspiring the next generation of award-winning and globally renowned authors.

Congratulations on a well deserved win.