- CLC Kenya • ACABA • MABB
University Creative Writing Competition 2026 for Christian Unions
Raising Young Christian Writers Across Kenya and Africa
One generation, one pen, one message — and countless stories waiting to be shaped into books that inform, inspire, disciple and transform lives.
Be The Next Voice of Purpose
Think of a message. Shape it into words. Submit your writing. Come showcase your gift — and step into the journey of becoming a published Christian author.
This is more than a competition. It is a platform for young writers who believe that books still matter, ideas still carry weight, and words — when surrendered to God — can outlive the writer.
“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Habakkuk 2:2
Date
Saturday, 28th November, 2026
Venue
NPBC Garden Estate, Nairobi. Kenya
Who Can Apply?
Christian Union students in University and tertiary institutions
Purpose
To raise young Christian writers and future authors
Write • Submit • Win • Be Mentored
Awards
The awards are designed to help promising young writers move from raw gift to refined manuscript, from manuscript to publishing preparation, and from publishing preparation to visible impact.
Writing Mentorship Class Sponsorship
14 weeks writing mentorship class sponsorship (Jan-April or May-August)
Manuscript shaping and author-development guidance
Writing Mentorship Class + Publishing Package
Everything in Bronze plus:
Published by CLC Kenya (Editing, design, layout, proofreading, ISBN & copyright facilitation)
Writing Mentorship Class + Publishing Package + 50 Printed Copies
Everything in Bronze and Silver plus:
50 printed copies of the book*
All Finalists’ Benefit
All other finalists receive a 10% discount on writing mentorship classes or publishing cohorts or printing on demand.
Every finalist is encouraged to continue developing their writing gift and publishing journey.
Who Should Apply?
This competition is open to university students who have a passion for writing and a message worth developing.
- Students with Christian messages, stories, teachings or testimonies
- Students who desire mentorship in writing and publishing
- Students willing to learn, revise, grow and present their work with excellence
- Students who believe books can shape families, churches, campuses, communities and nations
- 3,000+ Authors Trained Since 2015
- 23+ Anglophone African Countries Reached
Topics for University Students
6 Topics Endless Imagination
Participants should choose one category for their submission. The writing should be original, well-structured, thoughtful, and relevant to the realities of young adults in university and society.
Write on how young people can know God, understand their identity in Christ, and grow as committed disciples in today’s world.
Your writing may explore:
- Personal relationship with God
- Christian identity and self-worth
- Prayer, Bible study and spiritual discipline
- Faithfulness in a changing culture
- Following Christ with courage and conviction
Focus: Spiritual growth, Christian identity and discipleship.
Write on how young people can discover their purpose, develop their gifts, and serve their generation with integrity.
Your writing may explore:
- Discovering gifts, talents and abilities
- Understanding calling and life purpose
- Servant leadership
- Excellence, discipline and responsibility
- Ethical leadership in church, campus and society
Focus: Purpose, calling, service and leadership.
Write on the real experiences of university life and how students can practise Christian character in daily decisions.
Your writing may explore:
- Friendships and peer influence
- Academic pressure and time management
- Relationships, purity and personal boundaries
- Integrity in studies, exams and daily conduct
- Social media pressure and comparison
- Living faithfully as a Christian on campus
Focus: Student life, personal discipline and godly character.
Write on the emotional and psychological pressures young people face, and how faith, wisdom and supportive community can help them overcome.
Your writing may explore:
- Anxiety, stress and uncertainty
- Fear of failure and pressure to succeed
- Loneliness, discouragement and burnout
- Biblical hope and inner strength
- The role of counselling, mentorship and healthy friendships
- Building resilience in difficult seasons
Write on how young people can build healthy relationships, honour family values, and contribute responsibly to society.
Your writing may explore:
- Family values and intergenerational respect
- Honouring parents while growing into adulthood
- Wise friendship and relationship choices
- Communication, boundaries and responsibility
- Preparing for marriage, family and adult life
- Living as responsible citizens in society
Write on how young people can engage with technology, media and digital platforms with wisdom, creativity and responsibility.
Your writing may explore:
- Social media influence and online identity
- Artificial intelligence and ethical use of technology
- Digital addiction and screen-time habits
- Cyberbullying and online behaviour
- Content creation and digital storytelling
- Using technology to educate, inspire and serve others
Submission Guidelines
A. Manuscript Content and Writing Standards
1. Original Written Work
All submissions must be the participant’s original written work. The work must not be copied, plagiarised, adapted from another author’s work without permission, or submitted under another person’s name.
2. AI Use
Submissions must not be fully AI-generated. However, responsible AI assistance is allowed for brainstorming, grammar checks, editing suggestions, outlining, or improving clarity.
The final work must reflect the participant’s own voice, creativity, convictions, and storytelling ability.
3. Accepted Genres
Only the following genres will be accepted for this submission:
- Fiction
- Memoir
- Devotional
- Allegory
- Black and White Comics
Submissions outside these genres will be disqualified.
4. Unaccepted Writing Styles
Self-help or motivational-style manuscripts such as “5 Principles of Success,” “7 Steps to Greatness,” “10 Keys to Purpose,” and similar instructional books will not be accepted for this submission.
The emphasis should be on strong storytelling, biblical truth, creativity, reflection, and Gospel-centred impact.
5. Gospel Alignment
The submitted work must advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and align with CLC Kenya’s mandate. CLC Kenya states its mandate as honouring God by making Christian literature and resources available and accessible, helping people come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Strong Storytelling Requirement
Submissions must show strong storytelling, clear structure, believable characters or reflections, meaningful conflict or development, and a purposeful message.
Even devotionals and memoirs should be written in an engaging way that connects with the realities of young adults in university and society.
7. Clean Content Standard
All writing must uphold Christian values and must not contain explicit sexual content, vulgar language, glorification of sin, occult promotion, graphic violence, or content that contradicts the Gospel message.
Romance is allowed only if it is clean, modest, purposeful, and consistent with Christian values.
8. Suitability for Young Adults
The work should be relevant to university students and young adults. It should speak meaningfully to their spiritual, emotional, relational, academic, social, or digital realities.
B. Eligibility, Commitment and Award Conditions
9. Writing Mentorship Commitment
Award recipients must be available for a 14-week writing mentorship class, held for 1.5 hours every Friday.
Participants who are unable to commit to the mentorship schedule may forfeit the award.
10. Publishing Terms and Conditions
Participants must understand that the award may involve traditional publishing terms and conditions. Where applicable, shortlisted or winning participants may be required to review, agree to, and sign relevant publishing agreements before receiving publishing-related benefits.
11. Non-Monetary Award
This is a non-monetary award. The award is a sponsorship of services, which may include writing mentorship, publishing support, and/or printing benefits depending on the award category.
No cash equivalent will be given.
12. Non-Transferable Award
The award and its benefits cannot be transferred to another person, exchanged for cash, reassigned, sold, or deferred without written approval from the organisers.
13. Attendance at the Award Event
Awards will be announced on 28 November 2026 at Garden Estate, Nairobi.
Shortlisted participants and award recipients must be available to attend the Annual BookFest in Nairobi in person and at their own cost. Representation by another person will not be allowed.
14. Copyright and Permissions
Participants must ensure that their submissions do not infringe on any copyright, trademark, image rights, or intellectual property rights.
For comics, all artwork must either be original, created by the participant, or used with proper permission.
15. Previous Publication
The submitted work should not have been commercially published before. Work that has appeared on a personal blog, school platform, church bulletin, or social media may be considered, provided the participant owns the rights and declares this during submission.
C. Review, Selection and Final Agreement
16. Editing and Development
Selected works may be subjected to editorial review, mentorship, rewriting, and publishing development. Participants must be willing to receive feedback and revise their work where necessary.
A teachable spirit is highly recommended; publishing has a way of humbling even the most gifted pen.
17. Disqualification
A submission may be disqualified if it:
- Is plagiarised
- Is fully AI-generated
- Contains false information
- Is submitted under another person’s name
- Does not fit the accepted genres
- Contradicts the Christian values of the award
- Fails to meet the submission requirements
- Is received after the deadline
- Includes inappropriate, explicit, or offensive content
18. Judges’ Decision
The judges’ decision is final. Judges are not required to provide individual feedback or enter into correspondence regarding the outcome of the competition.
19. Organisers’ Rights
The organisers reserve the right to use the participant’s name, photograph, submitted title, excerpts from the work, and related information for publicity, reporting, promotion, and award-related communication.
Full publication rights will be subject to separate written agreement where applicable.
The submitted work must be original and must not infringe on another writer’s copyright.
Judging Areas
Clarity of message
Why This Competition Matters
Africa has many stories, many testimonies, many teachers, many dreamers — and many unwritten books.
This competition exists to help university students discover that writing is not merely an academic exercise. It can be ministry. It can be service. It can be leadership. It can be legacy.
Our Mentorship Program Team
Meet Our Mentors
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Dr. Muthoni Omukhango
National Director, CLC Kenya. Convener, ACABA & MABB
Patrick Omukhango
Director – Media, Research & Development
Jackline Ingasian
Programs Coordinator
Adnah McKenna
Head of Outreach – Print on Demand
Chrystal Hera
Head of Outreach – Mama Africa Book Box
Valerian Nadduji
Administrative Assistant – Publishing & Post-Publishing
Shalom Kabithi
Administrative Assistant – YouVersion Bible Plans
Milkah Mwangi
Administrative Assistant – Rights, Translations & Media
Organised By
CLC Kenya
A Christian literature and publishing ministry committed to making life-changing Christian resources available and supporting authors in their publishing journey.
ACABA
A platform celebrating, equipping and raising African Christian authors, while encouraging excellence in writing, publishing and Kingdom impact.
MABB
A mentorship and publishing-support initiative helping writers move from idea to manuscript, and from manuscript to published work.
Become a Sponsor
Partner with us to provide mentorship, publishing support, printing, awards, event logistics and long-term author development for the next generation of African Christian writers.
Do You Have a Message to Write?
This is your invitation to begin. Register. Write. Submit. Learn. Grow. Win. And perhaps, one day soon, another student will hold your book and say, “This helped me.”
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