The British Science Fiction Awards (BSFA) announced the longlist for works published in 2022, and there are quite a few African writers the list. They were longlisted in all the featured categories, which includes: best short fiction, best artwork, best novel, best non-fiction, and best books for young readers.

There are some well-known names on the list—Tendai Huchu, Tade Thompson, Wole Talabi, Eugene Bacon, and Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki—as well as writers who are relatively new to the scene. Adam Oyebanji is longlisted for Braking Day and Alistair Mackay for It Doesn’t Have to be This Way, both debut novels. Talabi’s brilliant data-driven study of African science fiction publishing is also on the longlist, as is Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki’s anthology of essays. In the category of best artwork, Alexis Tsegba’s design of Janelle Monae’s sci-fi stories collection The Memory Librarian is on the list. Manzi Jackson’s stunning design of the Africa Risen anthology is also featured.

The BSFA was established in 1970. The lists of nominees is drawn up based on votes by the members of the British Science Fiction Association.

Congrats to everyone longlisted! Scroll down to see the list of African writers and artists featured. Go here to see the complete list of nominations. The winners will be announced in April.

 

Best Short Fiction

“The Mercy of the Sandsea” by TL Huchu (Analog)

“A Dream of Electric Mothers” by Wole Talabi (St Martin’s Press)

E.I. by Kola Heyward Rotimi (Reckoning Press)

“Madam Aisirhiowen” by Amadin Ogbewe (Omenana)

“Sea Goddess’ Bloom” by Uchechukwu Nwaka (Escape Pod)

“DOGZ OF WAR” by Hannu Afere (OMENANA#23)

“Destiny Delayed” by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki (Asimov’s)

“Like Stars Daring to Shine” by Somto Ihezue (Fireside)

 

Best Novels

Braking Day by Adam Oyebanji (Jo Fletcher Books)

Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments by Tendai Huchu (Tor)

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way by Alistair Mackay (Kwela)

Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi (Tor)

Jackdaw by Tade Thompson (Cheerio)

Mage of Fools by Eugen Bacon (Meerkat Press)

 

Best Books for Young Readers

Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)

 

Best Artwork

Cover of The Bridging Worlds Anthology by Dare Segun Falowo (Jembefola Press)

Wayfinder by Larry Achiampong (Turner Contemporary)

Cover of The Memory Librarian by Alexis Tsegba (Harper Collins)

Cover of Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction by Manzi Jackson (St Martin’s Press)

 

Best Non-Fiction

Too Dystopian For Whom? A Continental Nigerian Writer’s Perspective by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki (Uncanny Magazine)

An Earnest Blackness by Eugen Bacon (Anti-Oedipus Press)

Preliminary Observations from an Incomplete History of African SFF by Wole Talabi (SFWA)

Bridging Worlds by Oghenechovwe Ekpeki (ed.) (Jembefola Press)