The Caribbean Writer (TCW), the international, refereed literary journal published by the University of the Virgin Islands each year, is pleased to announce the release of Volume 37 under the theme: “Carrying: Recognition and Repair”. Volume 37 boasts insightful and exciting poetry, short stories, personal essays, interviews and book reviews by established, as well as emerging, writers from within the Caribbean and its diaspora.  Through the 2023 theme, each submission contends with ideas percolating in the region and its diaspora with authenticity and clarity.   

“The Caribbean Writer is a gem of the University that has garnered the support of each president since its existence. As always, I am honored to follow in that grand tradition,” said UVI President David Hall.  “My support has been consistent because of the obvious and inherent worth and value of this publication, and its centrality to the mission of the University of the Virgin Islands.” 

Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dr.  Kimarie Engerman had high praises for Volume 37, stating that she is, “proud of The Caribbean Writer, which continues to provide a creative space for showcasing varied literary expressions not only within the Virgin Islands but also within the Caribbean diaspora.”  Dr. Engerman continued, “It is a high-quality publication that is now known, read and respected around the globe.” 

Volume 37 is, once again, edited by Alscess Lewis Brown, an award-winning author of young adult books, a member of the university’s adjunct faculty since 1990, and editor of The Caribbean Writer since 2012. “Again, I am delighted to have the privilege and honor of editing this decades-old, prestigious literary journal. Volume 37 is an imaginative collection of creative expressions from among the best writers within the region and its diaspora. The many permutations of this year’s theme make for a very powerful chorus of Caribbean voices.” 

To maintain its high standards, the 2023 editorial board is comprised of Berkley Wendell Semple, an award-winning author from Guyana as well as authors and professors from both UVI campuses including:  Valarie Combie,  Patricia Harkins-Pierre and Chenelle John-Heard.  Joining this team beginning with the 2024 edition is UVI Professor Anthazia Kadir and award-winning Jamaican author, Alicia Mckenzie, who currently resides in France. 

Literary prizes for Volume 37 2023 will be announced in January 2024.  All submissions are eligible for the following annual prizes: The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize of $600 awarded to a writer for best short fiction, which is donated by the St. Croix Avis Newspaper; the Daily News Prize of $500 awarded to a resident of the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands; the Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize of $500 awarded to a new or emerging writer. Donated by Marvin’s widow, Dasil Williams, in honor of her late husband who served as the editor of The Caribbean Writer from 2003 - 2008. Additionally, the Vincent Cooper Literary Prize of $300 awarded to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (Kamau Brathwaite). Donated by UVI Professor Vincent Cooper, Ph.D. 

Alexis Camarena is the skillful cover artist for this edition.  Camarena is a Virgin Islander and a graduate of the University of Virgin Islands with a masters degree in public administration. He is an up-and-coming talent on the Virgin Islands artist landscape.  

Copies are available at Undercover Books, My Girl Friends’ Closet and  Cane Roots Art Gallery in Christiansted, The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted; Bajo El Sol, and  Papaya Café and Book Store (St. John,); Best of Books (Antigua, W.I.), Novelty Trading Company (Jamaica, W.I.), Waterstones Bookstore, Picadilly, London; Vendors Market, Elmina, Ghana West Africa and both UVI bookstores. It can also be ordered on the magazine’s website at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org or through PayPal. 

The Caribbean Writer is a refereed journal. There are no fees payable to submit or publish in this journal. All submissions undergo an initial blind review by the editor. Creative works, such as fiction, poetry and drama, after editorial review, are advanced by the editor to the double-blind peer review process. In this process, both the reviewers’ and authors’ identities are concealed from the reviewers and vice versa throughout the review process. 

Submissions are accepted from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, each year and are considered for the journal that will be published the following year. (In other words, volume 36 will be published in 2022 and entries submitted between Jan. 10, and Dec. 31, of 2021 will be considered for volume 36. The deadline for submissions each year is Dec. 31. Submit Word files at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/online-submissions/  

 

Literary Prizes 

 All submissions are eligible for these annual prizes: 

 

The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize of $600 awarded to a writer for best short fiction. Donated by the St. Croix Avis Newspaper 

The Daily News Prize of $500 awarded to a resident of the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands. 

 The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize of $500 awarded to a new or emerging writer. Donated by Marvin’s widow, Dasil Williams, in honor of her late husband who served as the editor of The Caribbean Writer from 2003 - 2008. 

 The Vincent Cooper Literary Prize of $300 awarded to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (Kamau Brathwaite). Donated by UVI Professor Vincent Cooper, PhD. 

 

For more information, contact the TCW offices via email at: thecaribbeanwriter@uvi.edu.