The Central Bank of Barbados announced the winners of its 28th Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Competition, awarding Barbadian writer Brian Franklin the top prize of 10,000 for his fiction entry, “Steal the Fish from the Devil’s Cou-Cou”. The same work also received the Prime Minister’s Award, given to the entry the judges consider best portrays Barbados and its culture in a way that encourages reflection and fresh insight. Professor Jane Bryce won the second prize of 7,500 for “How to Find Your Way in the Air”, and Akim Goddard took third prize of 5,000 for “Is Only We Know: Where the Cane Grows Wild”. Two finalists, Randicia Kellman (“In the Company of Women”) and Kemar Doughty (“The Hanging Tree – A Short Story Collection”), received developmental scholarships valued at 4,000 each to work with experienced editors. In the live-judged spoken word category, Cydni Celeste won first prize of 5,000, with Mark Yearwood and Lafonn Miller receiving 2,500 and 1,500 for second and third place. The Bank noted the competition began in 1997 and that the spoken word category is in its third year.
Central Bank of Barbados 2026-01-10
Central Bank of Barbados names Brian Franklin top winner of the 28th Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Competition
The Central Bank of Barbados announced the winners of its 28th Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Competition, awarding Barbadian writer Brian Franklin the top prize of 10,000 for his fiction entry, “Steal the Fish from the Devil’s Cou-Cou”, which also received the Prime Minister’s Award. Professor Jane Bryce and Akim Goddard secured second and third prizes, while two finalists received developmental scholarships, and Cydni Celeste won the spoken word category.