In a remarkable achievement, eight African texts penned by African authors have made it to the shortlist for the prestigious 2023 British Science Fiction Awards. Among these outstanding works, three belong to Nigerian author Wole Talabi. The other selected authors include Eugen Bacon, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, and Chinelo Onwualu.
The BSFA Awards, presented annually since 1970, hold immense significance in the science fiction community. These awards are determined by votes from members of the British Science Fiction Association and attendees of the year’s Eastercon – the national science fiction convention that has been a tradition since 1955. This year’s Eastercon, named Levitation, will take place at the Telford International Centre from March 29 to April 1, where the winners will be officially announced.
BSFA members and Levitation 2024 attendees have the privilege of voting for the award winners. The voting form is accessible here and will remain open until March 29.
Earlier this year, we covered the extensive BSFA longlist, which featured an impressive 34 African texts. Now, without further ado, let’s unveil the highly anticipated shortlist that showcases the exceptional talent of African authors:
- Best Collection
- Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology – Edited by Wole Talabi
- Best Non-Fiction (Long)
- Ex Marginalia: Essays on Writing Speculative Fiction by Persons of Color – Chinelo Onwualu
- Best Novel
- Shigidi And The Brass Head Of Obalufon – Wole Talabi
- Best Short Fiction
- “Lady Koi Koi: A Book Report” – Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Apex Magazine)
- Best Short Non-Fiction
- “Dominant Themes in Afro-Centric Fiction” – Eugen Bacon (Aurealis)
- “Exposition Tax: The hidden burden of writing from the margins” – Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Hydra House)
- “Prisoners In The Temple Of The Muses” – Wole Talabi (Ancillary Review of Books)
- Best Shorter Fiction
- “Broken Paradise” – Eugen Bacon (Luna Press)
Congratulations to the talented shortlisted authors, and may the best works emerge victorious! Stay tuned for the winners’ announcement shortly after the March 29th voting deadline.
