$100 Afritondo Alternative Ending Prize Winner

Last week, we invited our readers to comment on a short story “Looking for Papa” published on our website. We promised a prize of $100 to the comment that featured the best alternative ending to the story. As expected, we received some quality and interesting comments and alternative endings. After careful consideration of the entries, we settled on a shortlist of four: Onyinye Obiora, Tracey Fletcher, Olofinnika Omobolaji, and Grace Azaagee.

We have spent some time, over the past couple of days, reviewing the shortlisted entries and have, after due considerations and discussions, decided on a winner. It is however worth noting that this was no easy task as some of us, at least initially, preferred one ending to the other. Ultimately, we have had to consider other factors such as writing strength, continuity, and consistency with the storyline.

On the basis of the above considerations and discussions held among the editors, we are happy to announce that the winner of this month’s prize is Tracey Fletcher. Tracey’s entry was chosen for its smooth writing style and the near seamless continuity. At the start of the comment, one could be forgiven for thinking that he or she was still reading the original story. The comment begins by diving into the mind of the boy and explaining how he now felt like an adult. However, some of the reviewers did raise some concerns about the ending of this alternative ending as possibly not being consistent with the likely reaction of an African boy of that age. Others thought that Tracey set the stage for this when she talks of the boy’s feeling of maturity.

We must reiterate that the selection process was not easy and it is possible that a different panel may have settled on another winner. However, Tracey’s entry was our choice on this occasion.

We want to thank our shortlisted writers and all those who entered the competition. Please feel free to send us any stories or essays for publication on our site. We also aim to run another, much bigger, competition in the coming month and will be happy for everyone to take part in it.

Best wishes,

Afritondo