By Joey Bartlett
The Commonwealth Foundation has postponed the opening of the 2027 Commonwealth Short Story Prize to January. The move comes as the foundation reviews its rules and processes following controversy over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this year’s competition.
The prize usually opens for entries in September and closes in November. In June, the foundation upheld its decision to name Trinidadian writer Jamir Nazir the 2026 overall winner. This followed a month-long review into allegations of AI use in his winning story, The Serpent in the Grove.
The foundation announced the latest decision on its Facebook page on August 12. It said the postponement will allow the foundation to conduct a “comprehensive review” of the prize’s processes, entry rules and submission guidelines.
Reiterating its position on the AI controversy, the foundation said, “We stand by the outcome of the review process.” However, it also acknowledged the need to change its approach.
It said staff, entrants, readers and judges must be better prepared to deal with AI in future competitions. The foundation said it remains committed to supporting emerging literary talent and giving a platform to less-heard voices across the Commonwealth.
“We remain committed to sharing unique human stories which show imagination and flair,” it said. The foundation also thanked those who had planned to enter the 2027 prize.
“To all writers planning on entering the prize this autumn: thank you for your patience. We look forward to reading your stories in January,” it read.
Nazir was selected as the overall winner of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize from 7,806 entries. His story, The Serpent in the Grove, is set in rural Trinidad. It centres on Vishnu Mohammed, an impoverished farmer who becomes obsessed with a young woman named Zoongie.
Vishnu plots to kill his young wife, Sita. He plans to trick her into falling into a well in a hidden grove. His plan is unexpectedly foiled. The failed plot has surprising consequences for the characters.
Nazir was one of five regional winners in this year’s competition. The other winners were Lisa-Anne Julien of South Africa, Sharon Aruparayil of India, John-Edward DeMicoli of Malta and Holly Ann Miller of New Zealand. The winners discussed their stories and creative processes in a film.
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation aimed at advancing the interests of Commonwealth civil society. It supports civil society, grassroots communities and creative practitioners. Its website says it also seeks to connect people and governments while strengthening democracy and human rights.
