Things You Cannot Say With Your Mouth

The Carnelian Heart Short Story Anthology 2024 is a collection of stories by African writers selected from the short story competition organised by Carnelian Heart Publishing as part of their vision to bring the richness of African writing to a global stage and provide opportunities for African writers, both established and new, who are trying to set their mark in the literary world.

The 2024 edition had over a hundred submissions from authors all over Africa, of which 19 were shortlisted for publication in this anthology, a roster which includes authors from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. Three winning stories were selected from the nineteen and their authors awarded different cash prizes and publishing contracts.

The winners of the 2024 competition were:

1. 'The Cafeteria' by Tanaka Chidora

2. 'All is Fair' by Victor Ajwang

3. 'God Created A Thing' by Fatima Okhuosami

The final stories were compiled and edited by Lazarus Panashe Nyagwambo.

The titular story, 'Things you cannot say with your mouth', was written by Joseph Jegede

The Carnelian Heart Short Story Anthology 2024 is an inaugural collection of stories by the following African writers shortlisted in the short story competition organised by Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd.

Tanaka Chidora

Victor Ajwang

Fatima Okhuosami

Kudzai Parutu

Sibongumusa Ncube

Elias Muonde

Salma Amanda Latifa

Augustine Tashinga Mudzudza

Chioniso Tsikisayi

Beverley Ann Abrahams

Elton Ndudzo

Tafadzwa Madzika

Mlungisi Radebe

Chiedza Nyanyiwa

Otsile Sebele Seakeco

Flora Chikasha

Takomborerwa Shenje

Gift Mukunga

Joseph Jegede