Hugo nominations are open, and we would be so honored if you considered the work we published last year.
The Locus-recommended anthology is free to read on our website - thank you for your consideration!
Hugo nominations are open, and we would be so honored if you considered the work we published last year.
The Locus-recommended anthology is free to read on our website - thank you for your consideration!
Alright. As is now tradition, here are my 10 favorite African SFF stories from 2025 📖 📚
Featuring tales from: @fiyahlitmag.bsky.social @clarkesworldmagazine.com @omenanamag.bsky.social @giganotosaurus.bsky.social @zamashort.com @khoreo.bsky.social @willthisbeaproblem.bsky.social + more!
Once again if you are not currently following @shingai-be-like.bsky.social , do so now
05.02.2026 03:19 — 👍 6 🔁 8 💬 0 📌 0
2025 was another great year for African short fiction! Author @wtalabi.com recommends 10 highlights across science fiction, fantasy, and horror, from "magic-for-wealth schemes" to an unsettling religious organization (in space). And if there's some ties in there...? We're not complaining.
04.02.2026 15:22 — 👍 100 🔁 55 💬 2 📌 11
My story "If Memory Serves" made it to Reactor Mag's Ten(ish) of the Best African Speculative Short Fiction Stories of 2025.
Its currently free to read on Will This Be A Problem?
willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/2025/04/27/i...
Explore the recommended titles and vote for the works that resonated with you.
Voting is open to the public for the Locus Awards, planned for May 30, 2026.
🔗 locusmag.com/2026/02/2025...
SHORT STORIES
Congratulations to @plangdineple.bsky.social & Jarune Uwujaren
NOVELETTES
Congratulations to @clhellisen.bsky.social, @somtoihezue.bsky.social & @tlotlotsamaase.bsky.social
NOVELLAS
Congrats to @wtalabi.com & @tadethompson.bsky.social
ILLUSTRATED AND ART BOOKS
Congratulations to @nnedi.bsky.social
NON-FICTION
Congrats Tavia Nyong'o & @tochitruestory.bsky.social
ANTHOLOGIES
Congratulations to @clhellisen.bsky.social, @wtalabi.com, @uchenwaka.bsky.social, Pemi Aguda, @somtoihezue.bsky.social & @dontcallmeliv.blacksky.app (eds) and all writers featured in Issue V.
FIRST NOVELS
Congrats to
@mhayinde.bsky.social
FANTASY NOVELS
Congratulations to T.L. Huchu & @tochitruestory.bsky.social
The list highlights some of the best speculative fiction published each year, with outstanding African works continuing to feature across categories.
SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS
Congratulations to @kashinggiwa.bsky.social, @lailalalami.com & Adam Oyebanji
Huge congratulations to the African writers and editors featured on the 2025 Locus Recommended Reading List
#AfricanSFF 🪐📚💙🧵
Gentle reminder that all Issue V stories are once again free to read on our website.
🔗 willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/issue-5/
If you enjoyed any of our stories, we’d really appreciate your support. Voting is open to the public for the Locus Awards, which will be held on May 30th. See details on how to cast your vote in the 2025 Poll and Survey.
🔗 poll.voting.locusmag.com/request_link...
The list is packed with incredible, must-read titles. Full recommended reading list here:
🔗 locusmag.com/2026/02/2025...
A promotional graphic set in a purple background with wavy line patterns. At the centre, inside a circular frame, bold text reads “Spotlight: 2025 LOCUS Recommended Reading List”. The WTBAP logo appears at the top, and a website link is placed at the bottom. The overall design highlights a spotlight theme.
Purple textured background with the heading “WTBAP on the 2025 Locus Recommended Reading List” on a teal banner. The main text reads: The Locus annual Recommended Reading List for 2025 is out, and we’re thrilled to share that Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology: Issue V has been included in truly stellar company. The Recommended Reading List is compiled each year by Locus reviewers, editors, and columnists; outside reviewers; and other professionals and well-known critics of genre fiction and non-fiction. This year, they looked at over 1,000 titles between short and long fiction. This is also the first year for the Translated Novels category. Voting is now open to all via the 2025 Poll and Survey. Results will determine this year’s Locus Award winners, to be announced on May 30, 2026, in Berkeley, California, during the Bay Area Book Festival. The Locus Awards have been held since 1971 to celebrate the best in science fiction, fantasy, and horror publishing, and are voted for by readers of Locus magazine and the public. Prior winners include Isaac Asimov, Octavia E. Butler, Ted Chiang, Ursula K. Le Guin, Nnedi Okorafor, and G.R.R. Martin, with R.F. Kuang, N.K. Jemisin, T. Kingfisher, Sheree Renée Thomas, and Martha Wells among recent years’ winners.
We’re delighted to share that Issue V of Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology has made the 2025 @locusmag.bsky.social Recommended Reading List!
Congratulations to everyone included.
Day 31! One month done! I read Dinosaurs Once Lived Here by @yvettel.bsky.social published in @willthisbeaproblem.bsky.social. A selection of uncreation myths. Which is your favourite? Find out mine here:
mickstaniforth.wordpress.com/2026/01/31/s...
All the stories from Issue V of Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology are once again free to read on our website. If you are reading for awards, we would be touched if you considered these fantastic and deserving works!
willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/issue-5/
Find Issue 2 stories here
willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/will-this-be...
Get Issue V stories here
willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/issue-5/
A promotional graphic for Will This Be A Problem? outlining the publication’s 2025 award eligibility set on a dark blue cosmic pattern with greeb accents. The heading reads: Will This Be a Problem? 2025 Award Eligibility – For Your Consideration Sections list eligible categories: - Anthology: Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology: Issue V, edited by Somto Ihezuo and Olivia Kidula (January 2025) - Magazine: Will This Be A Problem? The Magazine: Issue 2, edited by Olivia Kidula (July 2025) - Artist: Peter Marco, with artwork for Issue V & Issue 2 - Novelette: Why Donkeys Have 44 Teeth by Peter Nena (Issue V), and Babies Don’t Grow in People by Peter Nena (Issue 2) Additional eligibility notes read that Olivia Kidula is eligible in Best Editor categories and Will This Be A Problem? is eligible in Best Semiprozine categories. The WTBAP and Shilitza Publishing Group logos appear at the bottom right, and WTBAP’s website link sits near the bottom centre.
A promotional graphic for Will This Be A Problem? showing all the stories from Issue V and Issue V that are eligible for 2025 SFF awards. The background is a dark blue cosmic design with greenaccents. The heading reads: Will This Be a Problem? 2025 Award Eligibility, For Your Consideration. Below is a list of eligible novelettes, short fiction and their authors. Novelette: Why Donkeys Have 44 Teeth by Peter Nena (Issue V) Babies Don’t Grow in People by Peter Nena (Issue 2) Short Fiction (Anthology): - The Sirangori Fey Market by Ephraim N. Orji - I’m Home by Rutendo Chidzodzo - Something Cruel by Gabrielle Emem Harry - Ash Baby by Andrew Dakalira - Dinosaurs Once Lived Here by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu - The Market of Memories by Azara Tswanya - A Song of Ruin by Alex Tamei - Scales and Arabesques by Lucille Sambo - The Clans by Tonny Ogwa - Baby Potion by Matseliso Motsoane - Acceptance by Khaya Maseko - The Language We Have Learned to Carry In Our Skin by Shingai Kagunda - If Memory Serves by Kevin Rigathi - Mr. Original Swag by Victor Forna - Commensalism, or the Labyrinth’s Vessels by Albert Nkereuwem Short Fiction (Magazine): - The Herd by Lucille Sambo - Non-Remembrance by Plangdi Neple - Ritual by Olufunmilayo Makinde - Do The Bop Bop by Azure Arther The WTBAP and Shilitza Publishing Group logos appear at the bottom right, and WTBAP’s website link sits near the bottom centre.
We're grateful to see WTBAP longlisted alongside so much SFF work we admire this award season. The recognition belongs to the writers and artists who trusted us with their vision. If their works stayed with you and you’re nominating, we’d appreciate your consideration.
#AfricanSFF 🪐📚💙
Read I’m Home in Issue V of Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology.
🔗 willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/issue-5/
A promotional graphic set on a beige background with subtle cosmic illustrations and teal accents titled “Rutendo Chidzodzo | Award Eligibility – For Your Consideration” The image lists one short story published in 2025: I’m Home, Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology | Issue V, January 2025 Main text reads: A brief, second-person narrative of on grief and transformation. The story follows a girl stolen by water spirits and the mother who grieves silently and prays for her return. What unfolds is less a rescue tale than an aching reflection on how encounters with forces beyond the familiar can alter a person, returning homewith edges that no longer fit the old container. The play with second person perspective doubles down on the aspect that this is you in the story. It puts you in the driver’s seat and forces your hands and legs to move along with the characters.
Here’s work published by Rutendo Chidzodzo in 2025. The Zimbabwean writer’s work is eligible in short fiction categories, so if you’re nominating or voting this awards season, we’d be grateful for your support.
Link below.
#AfricanSFF 🪐📚💙
Read Do The Bop Bop here
🔗 willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/2025/07/10/d...
A promotional graphic set on a pinkish background with teal accents and subtle cosmic illustrations titled “Azure Arther | 2025 Award Eligibility – For Your Consideration" The image lists one short fiction work: Do The Bop Bop, Will This Be A Problem? The Magazine, July 2025. Main text reads: While analog horror is usually associated with found footage on grainy VHS tapes, Arther skillfully manages to evoke the same feeling on the page with a short that may cause parents to take a second look at just what their children are watching, especially when it seems like the world as we know it is ending. Bop Bop!
@litgalz.bsky.social’s horror short published in our second magazine issue is eligible for awards this season! Please take a moment to read and vote for it in the relevant categories if you haven’t already.
Link below
#AfricanSFF 🪐📚💙
Honored to see Will This Be A Problem? The Anthology on The 2025 Bram Stoker Awards® Preliminary Ballot for!!! Grateful to all the talented African writers who trusted us with their stories and made this anthology a reality. And a huge congratulations to other recognized works👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
27.01.2026 15:38 — 👍 12 🔁 6 💬 3 📌 1