Announcement : 3rd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize – Applications Open
We are thrilled to announce the call for submission for the 3rd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, a prestigious award named in honor of the renowned Pakistani- American novelist, Bapsi Sidhwa.
This biennial award promotes fiction by Zoroastrian authors and honors the legacy of Bapsi Sidhwa, the first recognized Zoroastrian author from Pakistan.
Past Winners:
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Inaugural Winner (2022): Tanaz Bhathena, recognized for her body of work, particularly her young adult fiction, Hunted by the Sky
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2024 Winner: Roxana Trabulsi, for Of Mud and Honey, which chronicles a family’s experience as political prisoners in Yemen.
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2024 Honorable Mention: Nev March for The Spanish Diplomat’s Secret.
Eligibility:
- The Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize will be granted to writers of fiction, accepting novels and collections of short stories.
- Open to Zoroastrian authors aged 18 years and above.
- Each submission must be the original work of a single author.
- Co-authored books, edited books, anthologies and self-published books are not eligible.
- Submissions should be in English and must be first editions.
- Works must be published between May 2024 and April 2026.
Submission Period:
Submissions should include a completed Application Form. Applications to be made online on the FIRES website only.
A hard copy and a digital copy is required. The digital copy will be sent electronically to the judges. The hard copy will be added to the FIRES library collection.
The submission deadline is June 1, 2026 for the 2026 award.
Submission Process:
Fill out the online application form on the FIRES Website
Hard copies must be sent or delivered to
FIRES/ZAH
526 Woodbend Lane,
Houston, Texas 77079,
USA.
Digital copy should be sent to info@fires-fezana.org
For any questions, contact aban@coatingindustries.com
Prize:
The winner of the 3rd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize will receive US$ 2000, and The Medallion..
Finalists and winner will be announced at the 13th World Zoroastrian Congress in Singapore in December 2026. The winner is encouraged to attend or delegate a representative to accept the prize.
For full details to and to apply visit the FIRES website at the link below.