WINNER BEST ANTHOLOGY, WORLD FANTASY AWARDS
"You are bound to be wonderstruck."--Lightspeed Magazine
"A must-read."--Locus Magazine
"Highly recommended."--The British Fantasy Society
The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021), edited by the award-winning Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, is not just a book; it's a gateway to the diverse and rich world of African speculative fiction. This anthology, a winner of the Best Anthology at the World Fantasy Awards, is a groundbreaking collection that brings together twenty-nine extraordinary stories by twenty-five talented writers from Africa and its diaspora. These stories represent some of the most exciting voices in the genre, both old and new, offering readers a journey through imaginative landscapes filled with wonder, insight, and a deep understanding of the human and beyond-human experience.
The anthology is a celebration of African speculative fiction, marking a significant moment in the genre. It is the first of its kind, highlighting the breadth and depth of talent that exists within the African speculative fiction community. The collection includes tales from a range of authors, including Somto O. Ihezue, Pemi Aguda, Russell Nichols, Tamara Jerée, Tlotlo Tsamaase, and many others, each contributing their unique voice and vision. The stories navigate themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of the human spirit in ways that are both universal and deeply rooted in African experiences.
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, the editor, is not only a skilled anthologist but also a celebrated author in his own right. His work has received multiple accolades, including the
Nommo award and recognition as a
Nebula and
Hugo award finalist. In editing this anthology, Ekpeki has opened a door to a realm of stories that challenge, entertain, and provoke thought, offering a vital platform for voices that are often underrepresented in the global speculative fiction landscape.
This anthology is more than just a collection of stories; it is a testament to the power of speculative fiction to transcend boundaries and explore new horizons. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to delve into a world where the speculative meets the vibrantly diverse tapestry of African storytelling. Whether you're a long-time fan of speculative fiction or new to the genre,
The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021) is bound to leave you wonderstruck and eager for more.
Ekpeki, Oghenechovwe Donald: - Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki is an African speculative fiction writer, editor, and publisher in Nigeria. He has won the Nommo award twice, and an Otherwise and British Fantasy award. His novelette "02 Arena" won the Nebula award, and is a Hugo award finalist, making him the first African to be a Nebula best novelette winner and Hugo best novelette finalist. The thought-provoking piece was also a finalist for British Science Fiction, British Fantasy and Nommo awards. He edits The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction anthology series, of which he's the first African Hugo award best editor finalist for Volume One. He's the first BIPOC to be a Hugo award finalist in the fiction and editing categories in the same year, and The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction Volume One anthology he edited and published is also a Locus, British Fantasy and World Fantasy award finalist. His works of fiction and non-fiction have appeared, and are forthcoming, in Asimov's, Tordotcom, Uncanny Magazine, Strange Horizons, Apex Magazine, Galaxy's Edge, and more. He co-edited the Dominion anthology, Africa Risen anthology, and is a guest of honor at the forthcoming 2022 Cancon and 2023 International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts (ICFA).
