Trailblazing Nigerian‑American author Nnedi Okorafor has once again made literary history, clinching the 2026 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction with her inventive novel Death of the Author.
This milestone marks her first Image Award in this category, cementing her status as a powerhouse voice in contemporary literature and a champion of Black storytelling on the global stage.
Published in early 2025 by William Morrow, Death of the Author tells the story of Zelu, a disabled Nigerian‑American writer whose life is turned upside down after personal and professional upheavals. In an unexpected twist, she crafts a far-future sci-fi epic about androids and artificial intelligence — a runaway success that forces her to grapple with the essence of storytelling, identity, and the consequences of creation.
Critics have hailed the novel for seamlessly blending speculative science fiction with deeply human themes, from family and culture to fame and authenticity. Renowned authors, including George R.R. Martin, praised Okorafor for her ambitious, layered narrative, noting how the book entertains while provoking reflection on art, power, and selfhood.
The 57th NAACP Image Awards celebrate excellence by people of colour in literature, film, television, and music. Okorafor’s recognition places her among this year’s luminaries, alongside figures like Michelle Obama and Juanita Tolliver, who won in biography and non-fiction categories.
Already a multi‑award-winning author — with Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards to her name — this Image Award adds a new dimension to Okorafor’s growing legacy. Through Death of the Author, she continues to redefine the boundaries of fiction, drawing on her pioneering work in Africanfuturism and her keen insight into culture, imagination, and identity.
As global audiences embrace her groundbreaking work, Okorafor’s latest achievement reinforces her position not only as a speculative fiction innovator but also as a literary force shaping the future of contemporary storytelling.
