Eugen Bacon, a celebrated Australian-Tanzanian author, has emerged as the only African writer named to the Adaptable 2025 Longlist, standing out among a diverse field of other longlisted authors.
Bacon stands out as the only African author on the diverse list of 38 writers, which includes other incredible writers like Amanda Gearing, Deborah Abela, and Peter Papathanasiou.
Born in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Bacon’s bibliography boasts over 100 short stories and multiple novels, earning her accolades such as the Horror Writers Association Diversity Grant in 2021 and nominations for awards like the British Science Fiction Association Awards. Recently, on February 28, 2025, two Sauúti anthologies co-edited by her, Stephen Embleton and Cheryl S. Ntumy were announced to be published by the Flame Tree Press, further cementing her role in amplifying African and diaspora voices in speculative fiction.
Bacon’s journey isn’t just a personal triumph; it reflects a broader narrative of the African diaspora’s impact on global literature. Her longlisting comes amid a growing recognition of African authors worldwide, following in the footsteps of figures like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, whose Dream Count recently made the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025 Longlist. Yet, Bacon’s speculative lens sets her apart, offering readers a portal into imagined worlds grounded in real cultural depth.
As the Adaptable 2025 journey unfolds, Bacon’s brilliance promises to keep readers—and hopefully the judges too—captivated.
Huge congratulations to Eugen Bacon for being a serial winner and huge inspiration for young African literary enthusiasts!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
