Three African publications have made the Lambda Literary Awards 2018 shortlist announced on March 6, 2018. The three are a memoir by Chike Frankie Edozien, a novel by Nnanna Ikpo and an anthology edited by Makhosazana Xaba and Karen Martin.
Lambda Literary Awards – or the “Lammys,” as they are affectionately known are an award of Lambda Literary, the United States oldest and largest literary arts organization advancing LGBTQ literature are in the 30th year.
The awards are given in the categories of Lesbian Fiction, Gay Fiction, Bisexual Fiction, Transgender Fiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Bisexual Nonfiction, Transgender Nonfiction, Lesbian Poetry, Gay Poetry, Transgender Poetry, Lesbian Mystery, Gay Mystery, Lesbian Memoir/Biography, Gay Memoir/Biography, Lesbian Romance, Gay Romance, LGBTQ Anthology, LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult, LGBTQ Drama, LGBTQ Erotica, LGBTQ Graphic Novels, LGBTQ SF/F/Horror, and LGBTQ Studies.
This year, there are three publications which have African writing in them, a novel, a memoir and an anthology. Those in the running for the prizes and their category are;
- Gay Memoir/Biography – Lives of Great Men: Living and Loving as an African Gay Man, Chike Frankie Edozien, Team Angelica Publishing
Nigerian journalist Chike Frankie Edozien offers a highly personal series of contemporary snapshots of same gender loving Africans, unsung Great Men living their lives, triumphing and finding joy in the face of great adversity. Read more about the book here.
- LGBTQ Anthology – Queer Africa 2: new stories, edited by Makhosazana Xaba & Karen Martin, Modjaji Books
In Queer Africa 2: New Stories, the 26 stories by writers from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda and the USA present exciting and varied narratives on life. There are stories on desire, disruption and dreams; others on longing, lust and love. Read more about it here.
- Gay Fiction – Fimí Sílè Forever, Nnanna Ikpo, Team Angelica
Fimí sílẹ̀ Forever celebrates the enduring power of love, desire, faith, patriotism, and human rights struggle in the face of political oppression and religious prejudice in Nigeria today. It extends the literary conversation begun by Jude Dibia and continued by Chinelo Okparanta. Read more about it here.
The awards ceremony will be conducted on Monday, June 4, 2018, in New York City. We wish all our people all the best at these awards.
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