GTB launches ‘The Dusty Manuscript’ — a contest for budding writers to get published

Budding writers can now take their dusty manuscripts off the shelf and submit them for a chance to win publishing deals.

‘The Dusty Manuscript’, a corporate social responsibility initiative of GTB, was on Wednesday launched in Lagos.

The initiative is aimed at giving upcoming writers the opportunity to win publishing deals for their completed but unpublished manuscripts.

According to the organisers, a total of one million entries are expected from the writers. The entries will then be pruned to 100 after which a panel of judges will whip them to 25.

Eghosa Imaseun, Toni Kan, Yejide Kilanko and Ainehi Edoro-Glines comprise the panel of judges who will review the manuscripts.

The top 25 entries will be invited to a two-day boot camp training on writing, marketing and branding while the top three will win publishing deals, with the overall winner earning N1m.

Segun Agbaje, managing director of GTB, said the contest is to help elevate the works of indigenous writers as well as to inspire and develop the next generation of award-winning authors.

“At GTBank, we see art as not just a medium for creative expression but also as a means of livelihood, and by organizing the Dusty Manuscript contest, we are helping budding writers make a living off their works,” Agbaje said.

The Dusty Manuscript is part of GTB’s YouRead initiative. The contest is organised in partnership with Okada Books and Farafina.