From a Gothic horror novel set in the Guyanese diaspora to poems chronicling climate change and dementia, the shortlist for the 2025 Guyana Prize for Literature reflects what judges called remarkable depth and maturity in Guyanese writing.
The shortlisted entries span drama, fiction, poetry and short stories, exploring Guyanese identity, history, culture and contemporary social issues.
In the Drama category, the shortlisted works are Return Passage by Darren McAlmont, River, Blood, Son by Shaphan Hestick, Kisna by Seeta Shah Roath and The Bell and the Bones by Mosa Telford.
Judges praised the plays for examining themes including the experiences of Afro-Guyanese immigrants, domestic violence and the struggle for equity and justice.
Three books made the Fiction shortlist: A Memory of Flowers and Coconut by Raywat Deonandan, Ripples from a Broken Soul by Somnauth Narine and LEECH by Jasmaine Payne. The judges said the works range from stories celebrating Indo-Guyanese heritage to emotionally driven family narratives and a Gothic horror novel set within the Guyanese diaspora.
The Non-Fiction shortlist includes Guyana’s Bachelor’s Adventure and Paradise Villages by Vilma Nicholls Tafawa, The Snag by Tessa McWatt and Dis Gyrl: The Enchanted Life of Aunty Joyce Trotman by Joyce Trotman. Judges commended the books for documenting Guyanese history, examining climate change and dementia through creative nonfiction, and chronicling nine decades of lived experiences.
The Poetry shortlist features Mud Psalms by Makeda K Braithwaite, I Sing to the Greenhearts by Maggie Harris, The Way Indentured by Scott Ting-A-Kee and Lahcim II: Sounds from Sorrow Hill by Phebe Wallerson. Judges described the collections as convincing, enchanting and illuminating, reflecting remarkable depth and maturity.
In the Youth Poetry Award, the shortlisted entrants are Juvell Atherley for Becoming; Mortimer Duke for Notes Towards an Incomplete Definition; Ariel Mohanlall for Motion and Buckets; Jessica Persaud for Oh Sea, Swallow My Pleas; and Darshanie Tickapersaud for Ah Still Deh and By the Wata Dat Doan Sleep.
The Short Story shortlist includes Juvell Atherley for Saltwater Does Not Forget; Nickeisha Bacchus for Inbound; Siara Fernandes for Eat You Whole; Jessica Persaud for The Dog I Used to Be; and Gabriel West for Armonia.
The poetry judges described this year’s submissions as showcasing mature poetic voices with remarkable depth and intricacy, while the short story panel praised entrants for their creativity, originality and strong storytelling.
The Guyana Prize for Literature is the country’s premier literary award, recognising excellence in Guyanese writing across multiple genres. Winners in the various categories will be announced on August 7.
