Skopje, 20 August 2024 (MIA) — The Macedonian Writers Association has announced the longlists for their annual awards for best fiction, best poetry collection, and best book of essays as well as the shortlist for MWA's best children's book prize.

According to the MWA in a press release, 35 books published in 2023 were submitted to its contest. 

The contest was delayed due to internal disruptions in the association so instead of in February, this year's contest will wrap up in September, the MWA said.

Fourteen works were submitted for the Stale Popov Best Fiction prize. Six novels and one collection of short stories made the longlist: "I Won't Tell" by Petar Andonovski (Polica); "Mine" by Igor Angjelkov (Ili-ili); "In the Life Race" by Petre Dimovski (Dijalog); "If Any Feelings Should Develop" by Blazhe Minevski (Matica); "Oblivion" by Tomislav Osmanli (ViG Zenica); "I Can Still Do Something" by Frosina Parmakovska (Ili-ili); and "Female Aliens" by Vlada Uroshevikj (Ili-ili).

Seven works were submitted for the Aco Shopov Best Poetry Book award. Six collections made the longlist: "The Lives of Horses" by Zoran Anchevski (Ars lamina); "The Yearlong Day" by Tihomir Janchovski (self-published); "The Brainverse" by Fima Kletnikova (Makavej); "For All the Times" by Bratislav Tashkovski (PNV Publications); "On the Tip of My Tongue" by Katica Kjulavkova (Ars lamina); and "A Different Dream" by Ivica Chelikovikj (Karamanov Poetry Meetings).

Eight works were submitted for the Dimitar Mitrev Critical Essay Collection prize. Five titles made the longlist: "Simple and Solemn: Koneski" by Ivan Antonovski (Matica); "Birds in an Aquarium" by Lidija Kapushevska Drakulevska and Vlada Uroshevikj (Polica); "A Sad and Beautiful World" by Dejan Trajkovski (Prozart); "A Life in Rolls" by Goran Trenchovski (self-published); and "Two Overviews (Koneski and Stardelov)" by Ivica Dzheparoski (Faculty of Philosophy).

Six works were submitted for the Vancho Nikoleski Best Children's Book award. Due to the paucity of submissions, the MWA did not longlist any of the books and shortlisted "On the Wings of the Little Fairy Horse" by Aleksandra Velinova (Eduka Mak); "The Little Horn" by Nikola Madzhirov (Ars Lamina); and "The Land of Forgotten Tales" by Biljana Crvenkovska (Chudna shuma).

The shortlists for the best fiction, poetry, and criticism awards will be announced on Sept. 10.

The deadline for entries for the Bridge Award for best book published in one of the languages ​​of the ethnic communities in the Republic of North Macedonia has been extended until Sept. 1, the MWA said.

The annual literary awards ceremony will be held on Sept. 18. mr/