The finalists for the 2024 Nommo Awards celebrating African speculative fiction and fantasy are out! Mostly hailing from Nigeria, the shortlist also features a couple of writers from South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone.

The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) is a membership organization of African writers, editors, comic and graphic artists, and filmmakers in the in the fields of speculative fiction such as fantasy, science fiction, stories that draw on traditions, horror and philosophical fiction. The ASFS is home of the Nommo Awards held annually since 2017 with the exception of 2023.

The finalists are divided into four categories: the 1000 USD Best Novel named after the award’s benefactor Tom Ilube, the 500 USD Best Novella, the 500 USD Best Short Story, and the 1000 USD Best Comic or Graphic Novel.

See the list below:

2024 Ilube Award for Best Novel Finalists

Bones and Runes by Stephen Embleton

Dazzling by Chikodili Emelumadu

Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name by Ukamaka Olisakwe

Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi

Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde

Warrior of the Wind by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

2024 Novella Finalists

Broken Paradise by Eugen Bacon

Land of the Awaiting Birth by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and Joshua Uchenna Omenga

The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi

Undulation by Stephen Embleton

2024 Graphic Novel Finalists

Die Strandloper by Daniël Hugo

Grimm’s Assistant by Mamode Ogbewele and artist Chigozie Amadi

WindMaker volume 1 by Roye Okupe and artist Sunkanmi Akinboye

2024 Short Story Finalists

A Name is a Plea and a Prophecy by Gabrielle Emem Harry

Blackwater Children by Moustapha Mbacké Diop

Destiny Delayed by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki

Kɛrozin Lamp Kurfi by Victor Forna

Like Stars Daring to Shine by Somoto Iheuze

Loom by Solomon Uhiara

My Mother’s Love by Naomi Eselojor

Osimiri by Chinaza Eziaghighala

The Way of Baa’gh by Cheryl S. Ntumy

Congrats to all the finalists!