-Batteries included
FOR MANY (local writers), the recent announcement on the Guyana Prize for Literature is like creolese to the ear.
There will now be two additional components to the prize: One, there will now be the institutionalised staging of writers’ workshops; and two, there will now be a Caribbean Prize category of the Guyana Prize, which is opened to Caribbean writers but not excluding Guyanese writers. The hosting of writers’ workshops has been on the cards for quite a while, but only now funding is available (batteries included).  This will boost the production of local writers who felt they were at a disadvantage when judged alongside their counterparts in the Diaspora, never mind the few occasions on which local writers won ‘The Prize’, and with manuscripts to booth  (One of the more progressive innovations of ‘The Prize’ was to entertain manuscripts by resident Guyanese writers, three of whom have since won it).
Literally, the Guyana Prize for Literature is the best thing to have happened to the landscape of Guyanese literature. It has provided “a focus for the recognition of the creative writing of Guyanese at home and abroad,” and has stimulated “interest in, and provide(d)  encouragement for, the development of good creative among Guyanese.”
Since the first awarding of ‘The Prize’ in 1987, there were some 110 entries on shortlists, works authored by some 66 writers. If each entry on the shortlists has the potential to be a winner, then ‘The Prize’ was responsible for bringing to the fore over 100 outstanding books/manuscripts.
Additionally, of those 66 writers, ‘The Prize’ was responsible for refocusing attention on the established writers, and opening a world of opportunities for emerging writers. So the Guyanese bibliography has been extended, and the who’s who of men and women of letters enhanced.
The Guyana Prize for Literature was established in 1987 by the then President of Guyana, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who, when making the original announcement on February 23, 1987, said: ‘The flowering of the intellect, the appreciation of Man’s creative imagination, is important.”  He was further quoted as saying: “There is a long tradition of outstanding writers in Guyana’s history. We should seek to nurture and extend that tradition. More than that, however, the encouragement of good writing has valuable spin-offs in society. It encourages clear thinking, and clear expression is vital if success in solving problems is to be achieved…we must give stature and status to our makers of words as we do to our makers of things.”
‘The Prize’ is evolving. What’s next? Perhaps the publishing of winning manuscripts as part of the prize’s package.

WHAT’S HAPPENING
•    The 2011 issue of THE GUYANA ANNUAL is under production. For further information, please go to www.guyanaannual.com (work in progress), or facebook@guyanaannual.com (up and running).
Entries can be submitted Online to: submit@guyanaannual.com . Other places to submit include Guyenterprise Ltd at Lance Gibbs and Irving Street, Queenstown, and Envisage Marketing & Technology Company, 118N Cowan Street, Kingston.

(To respond to this author, either call him on (592) 226-0065 or send him an email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)