Reimagine the future through an African lens. This workshop teaches how to create new Africanfuturist worlds that merge traditional heritage with innovation.
This workshop explores how traditional African settings can serve as a blueprint for futuristic worldbuilding. Participants will analyse aspects from their unique architecture, geography and language and learn how to adapt them into speculative fiction. There will be guided exercises, group interactions and practical examples; writers will develop new fictional environments that honour African culture while imagining glorious futures.
What will you do in the workshop?
Participants will talk about the unique geographical or architectural features found in their cultures. Then, they will engage in short worldbuilding exercises, sensory writing drills, and group interactions. They will also analyse excerpts from established Africanfuturist writers. They will talk about misrepresented Africanfuturist movies or stories and suggest better ways of showing popular stories. Participants do not need to bring prior work but should come ready to explore personal and cultural memory through Africanfuturism.
What can participants expect?
Participants should expect interactive prompts, talks on African mythology, climate and topography, and creating realistic worlds in speculative fiction.
Who is this opportunity for?
This is ideal for writers (African or diasporic backgrounds) of all levels, anyone who is interested in Africanfuturism.
Bursary places
We have 5 free bursary places available for writers on a low income. We define this as either earning on or below the London Living Wage and/or in receipt of benefits (e.g. Universal Credit). If you would like to request a bursary place, please email [email protected] with details of your eligibility for a bursary by 14 September 2025.
Access
If you require BSL interpretation, and/or have other access needs please email [email protected] so we can accommodate you.
Published: Thursday 28 August
About the tutor
Naomi Eselojor
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Naomi Eselojor is a speculative fiction writer from Nigeria. She is a global talent migrant, endorsed by the Arts Council England for her contributions to Africanfuturism. She is the winner of the 2023 Utopian award for short fiction and the 2024 Wilson Okereke’s prize for short stories. Naomi’s works are in and forthcoming at Afrofuturism anthology by Flame Tree Press, African Ghost Short Stories anthology by Flame Tree Press, 2022 Best of Utopian Science Fiction Anthology by Android press, Omenana Magazine, Lolwe, Hexagon Magazine, Dark Matter Magazine and elsewhere. A Nommo award finalist, Naomi’s works have been nominated for the Pushcart prize, Ako Caine prize and the Utopian awards. Naomi is an alum of Milford Writer’s Workshop, Authors Publish Novel Writing Workshop and Voodoonauts fellowship. She served as a Sprinng mentor in 2024 and 2025 and is the senior editor of Ojuju magazine. She currently resides in the United Kingdom.