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The literary world is once again turning its gaze toward the African continent as the 2025 Iskanchi Book Prize shortlist is officially announced.
With a marked increase in submissions this year, the prize organisers were presented with an exceptional pool of manuscripts from across Africa; manuscripts that stretch the limits of genre, form, and theme.
From experimental prose to genre-defying narratives, the shortlist captures a rich tapestry of voices redefining what African literature can be.
The Iskanchi Book Prize was established to celebrate bold, innovative fiction that amplifies underrepresented voices and disrupts conventional literary boundaries. This year’s shortlisted works reflect that vision with stunning clarity.
These ten books traverse the line between form and freedom, engaging with themes that are politically urgent, emotionally resonant, and formally inventive. In doing so, they redefine not just what a story is, but what it can become.
Among the ten finalists is Ezioma Kalu, a rising literary talent from Nigeria whose manuscript, On Rainy Days I Think of Flowers, stood out for its lyrical sensitivity and evocative storytelling.
Kalu, who is also a Researcher and Associate Producer at News Central TV, has been steadily carving out a name for herself in both literary and media circles. Her work has appeared in a number of literary platforms, including Isele Magazine, Afritondo, Efiko, Kalahari Review, Writers Space Africa – Nigeria, and African Writer Magazine, among others.
In 2024, her essay This is How I Think of You was selected as one of Isele Magazine’s top essays of the year, and she was longlisted for the John Okafor Prize for Humour Writing.
Kalu’s presence on this prestigious shortlist not only underscores her growing influence but also symbolises a new generation of African writers who straddle multiple disciplines and mediums, merging journalistic insight with creative flair.
Her inclusion is a significant moment for Nigerian literature and for the intersection of media and fiction in Africa.
Joining her on the shortlist are the following authors and their compelling works:
- Xabanisa by Aryan Kaganof (South Africa)
- The Hollow Sound of Lightweight Bodies by Unathi Slasha (South Africa)
- Souls of Independence by Peter Ngĩla Nzeli (Kenya)
- Mono: Tales of the Tapa Kingdom by Valerie Chatindo (Zimbabwe)
- A Season for Mending by Margaret Muthee (Kenya)
- Nandi Bear by Abenea Ndago (Kenya)
- Mourning by Karen Williams (South Africa)
- The Black Hand by Dafe Great (Nigeria)
- Enchanted Village by Lauwo wa Lauwo (Tanzania)
The shortlisted writers represent a wide geographical and stylistic range, yet share a commitment to storytelling that dares to be different.
Some works riff on the classic novel only to subvert it, while others take on myth, satire, speculative fiction, and more, offering readers an experience that is both intellectually provocative and emotionally affecting.
The grand prize winner, who will receive $1,000 and publication in Fall 2026, will be announced at a virtual ceremony in June.
According to the organizers, this year’s winning manuscript is expected to engage a wide and diverse audience, possibly defining a new niche in the literary landscape.
As anticipation builds toward the winner announcement, the 2025 shortlist stands as a resounding affirmation that African fiction is not only alive and well, but evolving in bold and exhilarating ways.
