SU Woordfees Short Story Anthology
The SU Woordfees Short Story Anthology
has become a literary institution
The first SU Woordfees short story anthology, Bly, was published in 2016. Since then, five similar collections have seen the light of day. All six anthologies have been well supported by writers and the reading public and have received excellent reviews.
Experienced publishing editor, Suzette Kotzé-Myburgh, has been the convenor of the selection committee since the first anthology. She explains what makes this project such a unique and distinctive undertaking in the landscape of Afrikaans literature:
“The SU Woordfees short story anthology is unique in that both new and established writers contribute on equal footing. This happens because the selection process is entirely anonymous, which levels the playing field for all participants. In fact, since the establishment of the main prize of R30 000, sponsored by Du Toitskloof Wines, each of the four winners has been a debut writer. In addition, all writers whose works are published in the anthology each receive R5 000 – a generous award when compared to similar publications.”
“When we started this project, festival director, Saartjie Botha, envisioned that each anthology would deliver a rich compendium of short stories that would serve as an annual record of the spirit of the times. And that is what has happened. Despite a diverse assortment of themes, the anthology always emerges with a core theme without any form of prescription on the part of the publishers. As a result, the Woordfees Short Story Anthology does indeed serve as a valuable perspective on the signs of our times as seen through the creative insights of writers who depict our shared reality.”
This project has special significance for the Toyota SU Woordfees Director, Saartjie Botha: “The Woordfees began as a literary festival, and words and writers are still the heart of our programme. The anthology is an extension of that and also an attempt to ensure that the observer and recorder – which is what our writers often are – are visible in our year and festival programmes.
“We are proud of the rich harvest of voices and stories that this project delivers and await the new anthology with great anticipation.”
Iets Anders - Kortverhale 2021
The 2021 Woordfees Short Story Anthology is for sale in Exclusive Books, Somerset West. If you want to order the anthology, send an email to woordfeesbemarking@sun.ac.za. Anthologies for the years 2017 to 2020 are also still in stock.
2021 winner: Coen Basson
The winning story of the 2021 anthology was "Eenzaamheid".
2020 winner: Marie Toerien
The winning story of the 2020 anthology was "Bitter Daisies".
2019 winner: Hendie Grobbelaar
Enrique Grobbelaar's short story “Binnelandse Sake” was made into a short film with the financial support of kykNET. The film adaptation was screened at the 2019 kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival.
2018 winner: Clari Niemand
Her winning short story, “Non(Kompos)Mentis”, was also made into a short film with the financial support of kykNET. The film adaptation was screened at the 2018 kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival.
2017 winner: Michèle Meyer
Her winning short story, “Langsaan”, was made into a short film with the financial support of kykNET. The film adaptation was screened at the 2017 kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival.
An overall winner was not chosen in 2016.
The main prize was awarded for the first time in 2017 when Du Toitskloof Wines starting sponsoring the prize money.
Where do I get a copy of the Woordfees Short Story Anthology?
The 2021 Woordfees Short Story Anthology is for sale in Exclusive Books, Somerset West. If you want to order the anthology, send an email to woordfeesbemarking@sun.ac.za. Anthologies for the years 2017 to 2020 are also still in stock.
FAQs
The anthology is published in a limited edition every year which is initially only for sale at the Toyota SU Woordfees festival in Stellenbosch. The 2021 anthology, as well as all the remaining copies of the previous five Woordfees short story anthologies, is available at the Woordfees office.
Place an order at woordfeesbemarking@sun.ac.za.
OR
Order the 2021 anthology at Exclusive Books until the end of October 2021.
The 2022 short story anthology will be launched at the Toyota SU Woordfees 2022. The main winner will be announced at the launch.
Each writer will receive one free author’s copy at the launch. Books will be couriered to writers unable to attend the vent. The courier costs will be borne by the writer.
Please keep an eye on the media and the Woordfees digital platforms for announcements in this regard. You can subscribe to the Woordfees newsletter here to receive all the latest festival news.
