The 82nd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) recently wrapped up on August 12 after 5 days of events. Worldcon is an annual gathering of science fiction and fantasy creators. This year’s Worldcon was held in Glasgow and many different writers, artists, musicians, and other creators took part in the panels, readings, ceremonies, and more.

The African authors that were featured in this year’s events were Nnedi Okorafor, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, Ehigbor Okosun, M.H. Ayinde, Marve Michael Anson, Rogba Payne, T.L. Huchu, Wole Talabi, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, Stephen Embleton, Suyi Davis Okungbowa and Lauren Beukes.

Worldcon allows these writers to share their work with each other and other creaters at the event. Not only did they attend these events, some of them got to enjoy some of the sights and fun Glasgow offers.

The 2024 Nommo Awards for Best in African Speculative Fiction was one of the highlighted events of Worldcon. Many African writers presented awards and spoke at this event. Here are some of the pictures from the award ceremony from the Worldcon Photos Flickr:

Tom Ilube and T.L. Huchu 

Tom Ilube 

Nnedi Okorafor

Wole Talabi’s Shigdi and the Brass Head of Obalufon wins Ilube Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel 

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and T.L. Huchu

 

A Guest of Honor Interview with Nnedi Okorafor was another highlight of Worldcon, also from the Worldcon Photos Flickr:

Wole Talabi interviews Nnedi Okorafor 

Another picture of Wole Talabi interviewing Nnedi Okorafor

T.L. Huchu was a part of the “Writing Future Scotland” panel where he discussed exploring Scotland as a base of storytelling, photos from the Worldcon Twitter:

Panel of speakers with T.L. Huchu in the middle 

Marve Michael Anson participated in the Writing Diasporas in SFF, photos from the Worldcon Twitter:

Picture from the panel with Marve Michael Anson on the farthest left

Special Guest Interview with T.L. Huchu

Instagram photos from @esmiejp:

Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson doing a signing of her book, The Principle Moments, which was released in January of this year

M.H. Ayinde even filmed her experiences at Worldcon during each day of the event. She posted the videos on TikTok: @mhayinde and on Instagram Reels: @mhayinde, as well as sharing some pictures of highlights from the events on her Instagram:

The African Cultural Influences in Fantasy Panel 

M.H. Ayinde’s book cover, A Song of Legends Lost, on display at the Orbit Books UK launch party 

Another picture from the Nommo Awards Ceremony 

Lauren Beukes posted some of her Worldcon highlights on Instagram, as well as her excitement for Worldcon, and praise for the Nommo Award Ceremony: @laurenbeukes

Lauren Beukes and Wole Talabi exchanging their books 

Wole Talabi posted all about his involvement during Worldcon on Instagram: @wtalabi

Wole reading from his novel, Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, during the Nommo awards after receiving the award for Best Novel

Wole reading “Debut” from Convergence Problems and his story “Encore” from his forthcoming story in Twelve Tomorrows: Deep Dream 

Panel on villan romances 

Signing books at the Luna Press stand 

Nnedi Okorafor posted some more highlights from her experience participanting in the Worldcon events on her Instagram: @nnediokorafor

A picture of Nnedi from one of the panels that she participated in 

Nnedi speaking at the George RR Martin’s Alfie Award

Stephen Embleton posted some photos from the Nommo Awards on Instagram: @spembleton where he won the award for Best Speculative Fiction Novella for his book, Undulation.

Stephen speaking at the Nommo Awards 

It was great to see all of the pictures and videos from Worldcon in Glasgow. There were even more events featuring these African writers. We can’t wait to see what events are going to be planned for next year’s Worldcon!