Renowned public figure Dora Siliya is set to officially launch the Platinum Zambia Book Award, a new literary initiative aimed at recognising the country’s most impactful book, with a prize of K20,000.
The award will be unveiled on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 09:00 hours during a media briefing at The Mocha Puddle, marking a key milestone ahead of the third Platinum Authors Conference scheduled for March 2027.
Organisers say the Platinum Zambia Book Award is designed to celebrate literary works that resonate deeply with Zambians and contribute meaningfully to national discourse.
The winning book for 2026 will be announced at the 2027 conference, where it will be honoured for its influence, reach and relevance.
Submissions for the award are now open to both individuals and institutions, who may nominate books published between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.
In a move that underscores inclusivity, the award places no restrictions on genre, language, style or subject matter, reflecting the diversity of Zambia’s literary landscape.
Entries will be assessed by a panel of independent and highly regarded judges using a broad set of criteria. These include impact, notability, public presence, media visibility, significance, availability, readership reach, reviews and overall readability.
Organisers emphasised that the award goes beyond traditional literary merit, placing strong focus on how effectively a book connects with and influences the public.
“The judges will be looking for a powerful book that matters to Zambians,” a statement from the organisers reads.
In line with this approach, authors and publishers are being encouraged to actively promote their works across the country.
Books that are widely accessible in communities, featured in the media, reviewed by readers, stocked in bookshops and available in libraries are expected to have a competitive edge.
Dr Siliya is expected to outline her vision for the award during the launch, offering further insight into how the initiative will support and elevate Zambia’s literary sector.
The media briefing is anticipated to attract a wide range of stakeholders, including journalists, publishers, booksellers, librarians and authors.
Interested participants have been invited to register for the briefing through event coordinator Anna Zgambo.
The introduction of the Platinum Zambia Book Award signals growing momentum within Zambia’s literary industry, as stakeholders increasingly push to promote a reading culture, support local authors and celebrate works that shape national identity and public conversation.
Picture: Dora Siliya