The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2023)

This is the third volume in this highly praised series (the first won the World Fantasy Award). Previous works been praised for their eclectic mix of stories, offering a panorama of themes and styles. For instance, the 2021 edition included a story about a woman struggling with her identity and relationship in the face of a thought-recording device, a tale of a man fostering a rapidly evolving robot, and an adventurous narrative about a sentient robot dog engaging in space piracy. These stories not only explored advanced technologies and speculative scenarios but also delved deep into human emotions, relationships, and societal issues.

Themes of personal struggles, such as dealing with depression, anxiety, and feelings of alienation, were also prominent. These were manifested through unique and powerful metaphors, like a woman whose detachable body parts symbolized her sense of disintegration and invisibility, or a story that portrayed the torment of self-contempt through the constant barrage of negative thoughts from imaginary entities.

The anthology also ventured into mythic dimensions, echoing the voices and histories of entire cultures through concise yet profound storytelling. For example, flash fiction pieces in the collection reached the heights of epic poetry, encapsulating the journey of human life and cultural evolution.

With such a backdrop, the 2023 volume can be expected to continue this tradition of blending speculative elements with deep human experiences and cultural narratives. It's likely to feature stories that push the boundaries of imagination while staying grounded in the complexities of the human condition. Readers can anticipate a collection that not only entertains but also provokes thought and offers new perspectives on both the future and the present. The anthology is not just a showcase of speculative fiction; it's a celebration of African storytelling, creativity, and the endless possibilities within the realm of speculative fiction.

Author: Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki
Publisher: CAEZIK SF & Fantasy
Published: 11/12/2024
Pages: 300
Binding Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781647101459

About the Author
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, a Nigerian speculative fiction writer, editor, and publisher, has garnered significant recognition in the literary world. He achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African-born Black author to win the prestigious Nebula Award for his novelette "O2 Arena." Ekpeki's work has also been acknowledged with a World Fantasy Award, a British Fantasy Award, an Otherwise Award, and two Nommo Awards. Additionally, he has been a multiple-time finalist for various other honors, including the Hugo Award.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nebula Award Winner: Ekpeki made history as the first African to win the Nebula Award for his novelette "O2 Arena"​​​​.

• Multiple Award Wins and Nominations: He has won the Otherwise Award, the Nommo Award (twice), the British Fantasy Award, and the World Fantasy Award. Additionally, he has been a finalist for prestigious awards like the Hugo, Locus, British Science Fiction, and Sturgeon Awards​​​​.

• Innovative Editor: Ekpeki is renowned for editing the anthology series "The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction," which has garnered critical acclaim and awards, highlighting his contribution to African speculative fiction​​.

• Trailblazing in Speculative Fiction: His work in speculative fiction is pioneering, especially in highlighting African narratives and themes, which has significantly influenced the genre​​.

• Guest of Honor at Major Conferences: He has been a guest of honor at notable events like the 2022 Cancon and the 2023 International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts (ICFA), signifying his status in the literary community​​.

• First BIPOC Hugo Finalist in Multiple Categories: Ekpeki is the first person of color to be a Hugo Award finalist in both fiction and editing categories in the same year, marking a significant milestone in diversity and representation in science fiction and fantasy literature​​.

Chinaza Eziaghighala is a Medical Doctor and Storyteller. She is a University of Iowa International Writing Program and Voodoonauts Alum. Her works are in British Science Fiction Association's (BSFA) Fission #2 Vol 1 Anthology, Mythaxis, Planet Scumm, Metastellar, BrittlePaper, Afritondo, Future Fiction, Hellboundbooks, and Please See Me.

She won the 2022 Horror Writers Association Diversity Grant.

CHIMERA, her debut novella, is forthcoming in April 2024 from Nosetouch Press. She also writes for Film and Television, currently working as a screenwriter for Africa Magic.