Locus Awards, a prestigious science fiction prize based out of California, has announced the finalists for its 2022 prize, and African literature is well represented.

Nnedi Okorafor leads the pack with four books listed in four categories. These include NOOR for Best Science Fiction Novel, Remote Control for Best Novella, The Black Pages for Best Novelette, and After the Rain for Best Illustrated and Art Book.

Also listed, in the category of Young Adult Novel, are the Sierra Leonean author Namina Forna and Nigerian author Jordan Ifueko for The Gilded Ones and Redemptor respectively. Wole Talabi is listed for “An Arc of Electric Skin” in the category of Short Story and Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki in the category of Best Editor and Best Anthology for his work on Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction published last year.

The Locus Awards, first awarded in 1971, is administered by the Carlifonia-based fantasy magazine Locus. Winners across categories are determined via vote by readers of the magazine.

In recent years, a number of African authors have been listed among finalists. Okorafor, Akwaeke Emezi, Tade Thompson, and Tochi Onyebuchi are a few. Our very own Africanfuturism: An Anthology edited by Wole Talabi and published here on Brittle Paper has been a Locus finalist, as well.

The final winners will be announced on June 25 during the virtual Locus Award Weekend. The winning authors will receive plaques and their publishers will receive certificates.

Congratulations and fingers crossed for Nnedi Okorafor, Wole Talabi, Jordan Ifueko, Namina Forna, and Donald Oghenechowve.

See the full list here.