Pepper Coast Lit

23/01/2026

We are delighted to announce Alaga Unwomanumu as the winner of the Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize 2025.

The 2025 prize was judged by Maryhilde Obasiota Ibe, whose careful reading and thoughtful deliberation guided the final decision. Alaga Unwomanumu’s winning poem stood out for its artistic excellence, depth of vision, and compelling engagement with language.

As the winner, Alaga Unwomanumu will receive a cash prize of USD 150.00, and the winning poem will be published in our next issue.

We also extend our warm congratulations to Onyekachi Iloh, who emerges as the runner-up. We commend the strength and originality of the work submitted.

Finally, we offer our sincere thanks to all poets who submitted their work for the 2025 Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize. The volume and quality of submissions made this year’s selection both exciting and challenging, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us by sharing your work.

Congratulations once again to our winner and runner-up, and thank you to everyone who participated.

Past Winner(s)

Iyanuoluwa Adenle, 2024

Guest Judged by: Othuke Umukoro

14/12/2025

Come experience an evening of poetry, reflection, and conversation as Aria Deemie launches her chapbook “Humans for Sale”, selected by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani for the African Poetry Book Fund chapbook boxset

The launch will be held on December 22 at Liberia Learning Center.

Your presence will be highly appreciated!

03/12/2025

At Pepper Coast Mag, we believe every Liberian child deserves access to books and safe places to learn.

Last year we launched the Pepper Coast Library Project to create free reading rooms in and around Monrovia. With support from friends across the U.S., including the Coralville Public Library and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop— we’ve already collected over 10,000 books.

Now we’re raising $5,480 to ship these books to Liberia and prepare our first reading room for opening in 2026. Your support will help us bring learning, creativity, and hope back to our communities.

Please learn more about this project or donate here: https://gofund.me/3fb553a25

Thank you.

My name is Jeremy Teddy Karn . I am a Liberian poet, a graduate from t… Jeremy Karn needs your support for Pepper Coast Mag's Library Project in Liberia

19/11/2025

We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize! A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their powerful words—we were moved by the depth and creativity of your poetry.

To our readers and the shortlisted—the wait isn’t long! The final winner will be revealed soon after our esteemed judges deliberate. Stay tuned for the celebration of our arts and the writers who champion it !! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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03/11/2025

Good news, writers and artists! ✍🏾✨
This is to inform you that Pepper Coast Literary Mag has extended the submission period for our 7th issue.
If you missed the initial deadline, this is your chance to send in your poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and arts for consideration. Send your submissions to [email protected] or visit https://peppercoastmag.com/submit for submission details.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of an issue that celebrates fresh perspectives and powerful storytelling from across the coast and beyond. 🌊📖

09/08/2025

At Pepper Coast, we are not only looking to document emerging voices but also to profile unsung heroes whose stories shaped, in whatever small yet meaningful way, Liberian literature.

True to that, we have profiled several writers who have contributed to the growth of Liberian literature, including pioneering writers such as Bai Tamia Johnson Moore, Wilton G. S. Sankawulo, and K. Moses Nagbe, as well as established and emerging contemporary writers such as Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Wayétu Moore, Hawa Jande Golakai, and others.

PORTFOLIO ON LIBERIAN WRITERS Wilton G. S. SankawuloBorn on July 26, 1937, in Haindii (Lower B**g County), Liberia, and died on February 21, 2009, in Monrovia. Educated at Cuttington College, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (California), and a writers’ workshop at the University of Iowa. An ...

29/07/2025

Our Co-founder and Editor-in-chief Jeremy Teddy Karn had an extensive conversation with Ghanaian poet Henneh Kyereh Kwaku for the tenth edition of “A Long Talk”, a conversational series hosted by A Long House.

Both artists reflect on their individual journeys, challenges, and experiences as African poets.

In this tenth edition of A Long Talk, Liberian poet Jeremy Teddy Karn is in conversation with Ghanaian poet Henneh Kyereh Kwaku. This conversation begins with an depth look on each writer and their r

08/07/2025

Send us your work and stand a chance to win the Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize 2025, which comes with $150 + publication prize.