Two Bangladeshi writers have been shortlisted for the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, marking a significant achievement for the nation’s literary scene in one of the world’s most prestigious global competitions.
The shortlisted authors, Anmana Manishita and Shazed Ul Hoq Abir, are both academics based in the capital. Their selection places them among a select group of writers vying for the top honors in the Asia regional category.
The Shortlisted Stories
Anmana Manishita, 26, a lecturer at BRAC University, was recognized for her story titled “A Masculine Fest.” Set in the 1950s, the narrative explores the life of a young Bangladeshi woman as she navigates the complexities and unexpected realities of womanhood during that era.
Shazed Ul Hoq Abir, 33, who teaches at East West University, earned his spot with “No Spark in Mafiz’s Relationship” (Mofiz-er Relation e Spark Nai). Originally written in Bengali, the story was translated into English by Arunava Sinha and Shabnam Nadiya. It follows a man in a Sundarbans village attempting to save his failing marriage while modern development begins to disrupt the fragile environmental and social balance of his home.
About the Prize
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is an annual award dedicated to unpublished short fiction, open to writers across five Commonwealth regions. The competition is known for its rigorous selection process:
- Regional Winners: Five regional winners will be selected, each receiving £2,500.
- Overall Winner: One of the regional winners will be named the overall champion, receiving a total of £5,000.
- Judging: The 2026 entries, submitted between September and November 2025, are currently being evaluated by an international panel of judges.
