Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
VALERIE Tendai Chatindo, an emerging author, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Iskanchi Book Prize, for her upcoming fantasy manuscript, Mono: Tales of the Tapa Kingdom.
The work has been described as both innovative and defiant, beautifully weaving fantasy, history and empowerment into a story that challenges the boundaries of what African literature can be.
A celebration of myth and identity, Mono does not just entertain, it interrogates.
In a literary landscape where African narratives are often boxed into expectations of trauma or exoticism, Chatindo’s manuscript takes a bold leap into the fantastical, crafting a kingdom where the echoes of ancient wisdom meet the aspirations of new worlds.
The Iskanchi Book Prize, hosted by Iskanchi Press, a US-based publishing house devoted to elevating African voices, is not just a literary competition. It is a call for manuscripts that are bold, experimental and resistant to conformity.
The prize recognises works that dismantle stereotypes, embrace hybridity and centre the experiences of African immigrants and minorities. Open to writers across the diaspora, it champions both emerging and established authors committed to storytelling that expands the boundaries of form and thought.
Chatindo, a University of Zimbabwe biochemistry graduate and communications consultant, has been making waves in the literary community as a regular contributor to various publications.
With her short story, Sheba, shortlisted for the African Cradle African Heroines literary prize, she is no stranger to recognition in the literary sphere.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind her shortlisted work, Chatindo shared, “Mono was born from a deep love for fantasy, watching it, more than reading it, because so much of the genre is dominated by white voices. I wanted to tell the tale of the Monomotapa Kingdom, in a way that felt empowering.”
The idea for Mono began with a dream in which she saw a woman lying on a rock, ethereal and spiritual.
“That vision became the seed for the story. It took me three years to finish Mono. I wrote it in kombis and Zupco buses, scribbling ideas on my phone on the way to work,” she recounted.
One key feature of Chatindo’s writing is her drive to break stereotypes about African stories.
“I can’t stand poverty porn. You’ll never find that in my work. What I try to do is empower and educate, especially around African and Zimbabwean history. I want to tell stories that haven’t been told and break the damaging stereotype that Africans are poor and helpless,” she stated.
Poverty porn, also known as development porn, famine porn or stereotype porn, has been defined by Wikipedia as “any type of media, be it written, photographed or filmed, which exploits the poor’s condition to generate the necessary sympathy for selling newspapers, increasing charitable donations, or support for a given cause.”
Her mantra is clear: “Africans are powerful. Black people are the cradle of humanity. We are the origin of civilisation.”
Chatindo believes that the erasure of much of African history contributes to current struggles and societal challenges.
“My writing is an act of remembering, of re-awakening. When we remember who we are, I believe we can return to that place of power and wholeness,” she explained.
Her academic background in biochemistry has also played a significant role in shaping her writing style.
“Surprisingly, my biochemistry background has influenced my writing a lot. Science trains you to take things apart, to be analytical and detailed. That’s how I write,” she noted.
Her fascination with astronomy has also allowed her to incorporate scientific elements into her fantasy narratives, giving them a unique depth.
“I do extensive research, especially since Mono includes elements of science fiction and takes place on a fictional planet with cosmic features,” she added.
This blend of creative intuition and scientific inquiry has formed a distinctive voice that resonates with readers.
In addition to her own writing, Chatindo has made significant contributions to the literary community through her platform, Shumba Literary Magazine. The magazine aims to publish African writing that avoids harmful stereotypes.
“That’s why I started Shumba Literary Magazine, to publish authentic storytelling without poverty porn. We’re evolving it into a publishing house. With many African presses shutting down, we need more platforms for our voices.”
She plans to travel across Africa soon, connecting with other creators to amplify diverse stories further.
“The more you write, the better you get,” she said.
“I submit a lot. I forget half the places I submit to. And I get rejected, a lot. That’s normal,” she admitted.
Her experience highlights the challenges faced by many writers, particularly those from Africa, who may not conform to the expected narrative tropes.
As a successful author at just 29 years old, Chatindo has valuable advice for emerging writers.
“Your journey is your own. Not everyone will get rejected. Not everyone will get applause. But regardless, keep writing, not for clout, not for fame, just for the joy and necessity of it,” she encouraged.
She expressed her concerns about the growing influence of AI in creative writing.
“Art is sacred. If you’re writing a book just for the sake of it, without personal experience or genuine emotion, then that’s not really art. True creative fiction comes from personal truth. Let’s preserve that, respect that and be honest in how we use these tools.”
The author went on to stress the importance of authenticity in storytelling, stating, “If you know what you’re called to do, do it. And if the space you want doesn’t exist? Build it. We don’t need permission. We don’t even need funding to tell our stories, we just need belief.”
At the Iskanchi Book Prize turf, Chatindo joins Thabi Moeketsi, a fellow Zimbabwean who was shortlisted last year. The winner will receive a cash prize of US$1 000 and a publishing deal set for 2026. The final announcement will be made during a virtual event scheduled for a date yet to be announced this month. —@MbuleloMpofu
Bongani Ndlovu