-by David Clarke
The winners of the 2025 Guyana Prize for Literature have been announced, with writers recognised across fiction, poetry, non-fiction, drama and youth categories.
Prime Minister, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, has reaffirmed the Government’s support for Guyana’s literary and creative sectors.
The 2025 Guyana Prize for Literature brought together established and emerging writers, with awards spanning the country’s major literary genres and youth categories.
Raywat Deonandan took the top prize for Best Book of Fiction, while Jasmaine Payne won Best First Book of Fiction for Leech.
Maggie Harris captured Best Book of Poetry for I Sing to the Greenhearts, with Scott Ting-A-Kee and Makeda Braithwaite sharing second prize.
In non-fiction, Tessa McWatt won Best Book for The Snag, while Joyce Trotman took second prize for Dis Gyrl: The Enchanted Life of Aunty Joyce Trotman.
Seeta Shah Roath won Best Play in the Drama category for Kisna. Shaphan Hestick placed second with River, Blood, Son, while Mosa Telford took third with The Bell and the Bones.
The Youth categories also saw emerging writers recognised, with Juvelle Atherley taking first place in the Short Story category for Salt Water Does Not Forget. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips used the ceremony to reaffirm the Government’s support for Guyana’s literary and creative sectors, while urging writers to document the country’s changing story.
“Tell those stories truthfully. Tell them with imagination and skill. Give future readers more than official dates and public events. Give them the private hopes, anxieties, contradictions and humour of the people who lived through this time,”he said.
The Prime Minister pointed to the restoration of the Guyana Prize, the expansion of its categories and the introduction of Youth Awards as part of efforts to create greater opportunities for writers.